Hard brake pedal W203

[amazighman]

Hi.
I would like some advice with my W203 C220 CDI coupe , the brake pedal does seem hard ish.... My Mrs Matiz has a smoother brake pedal when stopping.

I unplugged the vaccum pump hose and put my finger on the pump inlet and there was suction.

My self leveling xenons dont seem to auto level anymore and they are pointing very low, is this vaccum related?

Some guidance will be appreciated

Thanks

 

[markjay]

The Xenon issue is most probably due to a faulty suspension height sensor.

As for the vacuum, there may be a leak in the hose or one-way valve.

 

[amazighman]

The Xenon issue is most probably due to a faulty suspension height sensor.

As for the vacuum, there may be a leak in the hose or one-way valve.

Where is that one way valve? Easy to change?

 

[Marcbennett]

I would check that the Calliper slide pins aren’t seized first, that’s a common issue. And your headlights probably have a faulty level sensor on one of your bottom arms


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[amazighman]

I would check that the Calliper slide pins aren’t seized first, that’s a common issue. And your headlights probably have a faulty level sensor on one of your bottom arms


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Thanks.
I did the brake servo test , pumped the braked till hard with engine off... Kept foot on pedal and turned the engine on the pedal sank... Hopefully the vaccum side of things is ok.
I will strip the brakes tomorrow and have a look.

Is worth lubricating the self leveling sensor arms just in case these are seized?

 

[Marcbennett]

Sounds like vacuum and booster side of things is ok, and if the sensor is seized it would probably snap. So you could identify all sensors and check them over. I think there is one on the n/s/r and one on the front.

Hope that helps you mate


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[amazighman]

Found the front level sensor arm broken clean off, so thats on order .
The brakes nothing abvious expect from unknown pad brand on the front ,its called Btex and I never heard of them , they sell em on ebay for 15 quid which indicates they must be a very poor quality.
The rear pads could do with replacing as there is only few 1k miles left in them.
Could these poor quality pads be the cause?

 

[amazighman]

The pads ate Abtex sorry

 

[Marcbennett]

I like it when you find something for an annoying fault [emoji23], and as for the brakes if there not seized and the vacuum is alright. Then possible try brake fluid change, depends how hard the pedal is. What age is your car?


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[Marcbennett]

And for the pads I couldn’t comment due to never used them before, maybe they could be worth a try for you for that price. Or what’s on offer at euro car parts? I’ve always used pagid from there as they make most brake pads for manufacturers


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[amazighman]

Could get front and rear pagid pads for 40 quid from ECP , thats my next thing.

I could replace the brake fluid while doing the pads , the car is a 2006 model.

And for the pads I couldn’t comment due to never used them before, maybe they could be worth a try for you for that price. Or what’s on offer at euro car parts? I’ve always used pagid from there as they make most brake pads for manufacturers


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[Marcbennett]

I’d go for them tbh mate, never had any issues with them. But make sure before you leave euros they have give you the right ones. Loads of times I’ve got them to deliver to me and they send wrong ones [emoji1787].

Well I know Mercedes recommend changing brake fluid every 2 years or 20,000 mile.
I’d go for that then mate and see how you get on.


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[amazighman]

Thanks.

This is an annoying problem really, I have to slam the pedal to get the thing to stop, the pedal doesn't feel smooth to me.
If i press the pedal lightly the car stops eventually but like you get 1 second of braking , then car rolls a bit then braking and so on till it fully stops

 

[Marcbennett]

Yes that really does sound annoying, well I hope you solve it with minimal cost [emoji1417]


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[MrGreedy]

the pedal doesn't feel smooth to me.
If i press the pedal lightly the car stops eventually but like you get 1 second of braking , then car rolls a bit then braking and so on till it fully stops

This sounds worrying, but given that this is much slower than wheel rotation, it sounds to me like power assist failing on the brakes. Have you had this checked?

 

[MrGreedy]

For reference, I found my w203 brakes harder to press than pretty much any other modern car, but it was smooth and progressive, which I loved as it gave great brake feel when on the limit

Doesn't sound the same as your issue

 

[amazighman]

I have not driven the car that much.
Replaced all pads and it seems to have improved things.
Rear pads were near the end of their life , front one were cheapies from Ebay like 14 quid.
I also refreshed the fluid and bled system .

 

[Jockcl500]

I have not driven the car that much.
Replaced all pads and it seems to have improved things.
Rear pads were near the end of their life , front one were cheapies from Ebay like 14 quid.
I also refreshed the fluid and bled system .

You haven't mentioned the discs are they in good condition( not grooved or glazed)
In my experience replacing the pads, can make the braking much worse if the discs are in need of replacement.

 

[amazighman]

Discs are fine... Fronts were recently replaced

 

[Jockcl500]

Discs are fine... Fronts were recently replaced

Possible that it was just the cheap pads, with decent ones in and bedded in it may well be fine.