w124 parking brake

[EEEDELLI]

Hi all,

My w124 230E is progressing! MOT failed on just an exhaust flange leak and useless parking brake.

I've heard that the parking brake is always useless on this model (but not as bad as on this example, which is non-existent!)

Is there a standard problem that anyone knows about (and a way to fix it)?

Ta.
David.

 

[NormanB]

I do not think the parking brake is useless at all!

It may well be your shoes are shot at worst or at best in need of adjustment. Some owners can abuse the pb which is not designed for stopping a moving vehicle.

You need to get it up on the ramps, wheels off and have a shufty.

 

[piestore]

park brake

Hi

The parking brake is excellent and easily passes the MOT requirment , It sounds like yours requires setting up correctly.

Back of the cable adjustment and adjust the rear shoes in the park brake drum and then adjust the cable to give the required travel on the park brake

 

[GaryC]

How many 'click' you have when you apply the parking brake? may be the cable require to tighten it......

 

[EEEDELLI]

Thanks for those. Haven't had a chance to investigate yet.

I was just wondering whether there were any standard problems on it that everyone says "Ah - that's a classic problem; all you have to do is X" but it sounds like it's just a normal parking brake with normal parking brake problems!

(Gary C - yes it goes all the way down to the floor at the moment. Could be broken cable; incorrectly adjusted; worn shoes. Don't know yet.)

 

[GaryC]

oh, so it possibly is incorrect adjustment... and is not difficult to adjust...

 

[Andy]

Hi

Firstly the handbrake on most mb (maybe with the exception of the 107 & then only if miss adjusted) these handbrakes are excellent. Made only a problem by most being automatic vehicle & there drivers not using the handbrake at all.

You should of course try adjusting it first. But on older cars, removal of the rear discs should be carried out. Both rear hand brake cables should be checked for ease of movement. Especially the shackle where the h\brake cable connects to. The pin which goes through to secure it corrodes as well as the shackle. Check handbrake shoes for cracking. If cracked replaced. Replace all relevant parts & refit disc & adjust via the wheel bolt hole. If there is still too much free play then take this up with the adjustment bolt in the mechanism under the vehicle. This should be done as a last resort. Adjust this slowly as it makes quite a difference. Ensure both rear wheels still turn.


Hope this helps.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com