W221 Parking Brake fault

[MarkFL]

I can see this topic has been discussed in some older threads but I’m starting a new one to share my recent experience.
Had a fault light so got garage to to check and diagnosed faulty actuator with estimated repair cost of £1200.
I found a specialist repairer online for £125. Had some fun getting the unit out, but now repaired and back in, working fine, and fault light cleared. Replaced all drum and disc brake parts for £200 while I had it all apart.
Happy to share more information if anyone has same problem.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Nice work, suspect I will end up doing the same one day.

What was the challenge in removing it? And is there any preventative maintenance possible to reduce the chance of failure of the unit?

Richard

 

[MarkFL]

No big challenges to removal other than lack of knowledge. I worked with brake ‘off’ and the drum brake cables released easily once the brake shoes were removed. I removed the fuel filler recess because I didn’t realise the emergency release cable was only held in by simple clip that could have been released with recess in place using thin nose pliers. The actuator was held on by three nuts and I didn’t see the top central one initially.
I used a repairer in Blackburn who said the failure was typical of a parking brakes that weren’t used much and I’d avoid repeat failure by using the brake habitually - lesson learnt and fingers crossed.
The repairer also offered adjustment guidance that was missing from the YouTube videos I watched. Highly recommend Brake Tech Limited in Carluke Street, Blackburn

 

[MarkFL]

Nice work, suspect I will end up doing the same one day.

What was the challenge in removing it? And is there any preventative maintenance possible to reduce the chance of failure of the unit?

Richard

….and make sure drum brake components are free and greased. If you take the disc/drum off to do this you can also see the adjuster. If this is adjusted until drum is just tight on shoes then backed off half a turn so it just rotates freely it gives the actuator less work to do.