Hot brakes on S class!

[frog1520]

Hi all,

Drove the car for 10 mile the other day - not particularly hard - when I got out, I could smell burning. Area around drivers rear wheel seemed very hot ( hotter than the others ), and there was a cloud of fine black powder (not smoke). Also there was an almost continual clicking sound, like metal cooling down after getting hot.

Car drives OK, but I'm thinking this is probably the brake caliper dragging on the disc?

Does that sound right?

Expensive or cheap??!

Thanks!

 

[Brian WH]

Hi all,

Drove the car for 10 mile the other day - not particularly hard - when I got out, I could smell burning. Area around drivers rear wheel seemed very hot ( hotter than the others ), and there was a cloud of fine black powder (not smoke). Also there was an almost continual clicking sound, like metal cooling down after getting hot.

Car drives OK, but I'm thinking this is probably the brake caliper dragging on the disc?

Does that sound right?

Expensive or cheap??!

Thanks!

Sounds like the handbrake is partly on mate.

Was it released properly???

If it is released properly it could be sticking "On".

 

[frog1520]

Sounds like the handbrake is partly on mate.

Was it released properly???

If it is released properly it could be sticking "On".

Good point!!

I'm pretty sure it was off - i always take the thing off, but no way to no for sure I guess!

If it was the handbrake, it would probably affect both back wheels? I only spotted problems on one of them.

Maybe its stuck though....

Though when its in D, it still rolls forward slightly, which it doesn't if the handbrake is on. If its 'stuck' on on one side though, I wonder if that would be enough to hold it? I expect it would?

Thanks!

 

[Brian WH]

Good point!!

I'm pretty sure it was off - i always take the thing off, but no way to no for sure I guess!

If it was the handbrake, it would probably affect both back wheels? I only spotted problems on one of them.

Maybe its stuck though....

Though when its in D, it still rolls forward slightly, which it doesn't if the handbrake is on. If its 'stuck' on on one side though, I wonder if that would be enough to hold it? I expect it would?

Thanks!

You should get a fault lighting up on the dash if the handbrake is on when you move off. However it will not show if the brake is sticking. I still think this is the problem and worth having the affected wheel checked to avoid expensive repairs.

 

[frog1520]

You should get a fault lighting up on the dash if the handbrake is on when you move off. However it will not show if the brake is sticking. I still think this is the problem and worth having the affected wheel checked to avoid expensive repairs.

Hi Brian, thanks for that. I'll take your advice and get it checked this morning!! I'll let you know what they say - much appreciated!

 

[frog1520]

You should get a fault lighting up on the dash if the handbrake is on when you move off. However it will not show if the brake is sticking. I still think this is the problem and worth having the affected wheel checked to avoid expensive repairs.

Update -

Got kwik fit to look at it while I was at work - they said they could see where the disc had overheated, but otherwise couldnt find anything wrong with it. They said nothing seems to be sticking and everything looks OK.

Maybe best not to use the parking brake - what do you reckon?

Thanks again!!

 

[Brian WH]

Update -

Got kwik fit to look at it while I was at work - they said they could see where the disc had overheated, but otherwise couldnt find anything wrong with it. They said nothing seems to be sticking and everything looks OK.

Maybe best not to use the parking brake - what do you reckon?

Thanks again!!

I very rarely use my handbrake, except when on a steep hill.

But that doesn't resolve why it happened? It could have been a one off sticking brake as suggested, if so if you use the handbrake make sure it is OFF and check heat of discs after use. See how it goes mate.

The other thing is what do Kwik Fit know about MBs?

 

[frog1520]

KF possibly slightly better than nothing... in some cases... maybe.... ha ha

I use the handbrake quite a lot - i always use it when parked, and i often stick it on if im at traffic lights or something and want to give my foot a rest on the brake. I usually release it with my foot on the (parking brake) pedal as well, so i guess its possible i left it on a notch. Definitely no warning light on though.

I'll keep an eye on it and see - probably driven it about 30 miles now since that happened, and its been fine.

Thanks again for your advice!

 

[KillerHERTZ]

My humble W202 beeps to say that the handbreak has been left on, so id imaging your W140 has a fanfare with bells and lights if you had done the same.