Need to get into neutral to turn prop shaft..

[molgrips]

I'm replacing the rear sub frame on my 2013 CLS estate (X218). The brake sensors have been unplugged, the discs have been removed and the calipers are tied up. The parking brake has been disconnected.

I am trying to remove the rear flex disc, I've taken out five of the bolts and now I need to rotate the prop shaft to get at the others. However, it won't let me disengage park, it keeps asking me to put my foot on the brake, which I have (fairly lightly). Is it going by the brake fluid pressure? Do I need to put something in between the pads to generate some pressure when I press the brake? I daren't start it, the exhaust is off, I'm afraid the ECU will shit itself.

 

[AMGeed]

To get the car out of Park, the brake light switch needs to be activated by pressing hard enough on the brake pedal.
There should be an over ride switch under the gear shift gator which just unclips. Try pressing the over ride switch whilst standing on the brake pedal. Put a piece of wood in between the pads to stop the cylinders popping out under pressure.
Hopefully the car will shift into Park.

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP . Did you seriously get your car up in the air and into a position where it is possible to remove the rear subframe without FIRST putting the transmission into neutral !??

 

[StMarks]

OP . Did you seriously get your car up in the air and into a position where it is possible to remove the rear subframe without FIRST putting the transmission into neutral !??

Without thinking it through, wouldn't he logically have put it in "park" when he started.?

 

[johnsco]

OP . Did you seriously get your car up in the air and into a position where it is possible to remove the rear subframe without FIRST putting the transmission into neutral !??

Have we all not made simple mistakes when doing jobs for the first time on any car ?? !!
I would not like to relate here some of the daft things I have done .

 

[molgrips]

Turns out all I had to do was press the brake a bit harder. With some steel bar in the callipers to stop the pistons coming out.

Did you seriously get your car up in the air and into a position where it is possible to remove the rear subframe without FIRST putting the transmission into neutral !??

Serious question - why is this important? Being able to select park or neutral makes certain things much easier, like removing the flex disc bolts.