Removal of parking brake pedal

[Stratman]

It's time to sort out the weak release of the parking brake once and for all. Having read lots on the internets it seems I need to remove the parking brake pedal assembly to retension the main spring. Looking at it, it seems to be attached by a couple of arms which look like they disappear under the carpet/dash (circled in the picture).

Is it really a dash out job to get at the two bolts holding it in?

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Just checked Haynes workshop manual for W203. You don't say which car you're working on but I see you have a W303.

It seems to confirm your suspicions, dash out, steering wheel off, radio/cd out, rear seat cushion out.

Hopefully someone with a working knowledge of these will either confirm it, or better still, explain an easier method.

Do you use it on a regular basis, or has it started to seize through lack of use?

If you need detailed instructions let me know.

 

[Stratman]

I always engage it when parked. It's reluctant to release after being left on overnight. Sometimes it needs a strong helping foot, other times it will release but not enough to turn off the warning light.

Research on the webs tells me the pedal return spring has probably weakened and needs tweaking, basically putting some more preload on it and giving the friction clutch a bit of a clean while it's out. Unfortunately, this requires removal of the pedal assembly as some of the spring retaining bolts are on the back of it. In LHD cars it's quite easy, but RHD cars have a different assembly with different mounting arrangements.

If it really is a dash out job (what were they thinking?) I might have to get creative with a nice shiny brake shoe return spring I found in the shed

 

[grumpyoldgit]

I believe that there is also a spring in the mechanism under the back seat where the cable from the pedal joins the two to the back brake shoes. Might be worth checking that too. The other thing to consider is has the cable started to dry out (lose it's lubricant) and need replacing? Much easier than removing the pedal.

When I first bought my W203 (5 months ago) I had a problem with the brake not releasing, but after a 10 minute session of on/off on/off and continual use since, it seems to have cured the problem. I keep thinking that I should see if I can lubricate the pedal, must do it soon.

 

[ivandraganov]

It's time to sort out the weak release of the parking brake once and for all. Having read lots on the internets it seems I need to remove the parking brake pedal assembly to retension the main spring. Looking at it, it seems to be attached by a couple of arms which look like they disappear under the carpet/dash (circled in the picture).

Is it really a dash out job to get at the two bolts holding it in?

You might need new shoes

 

[paulC180]

Mine was weak W203, just adjusted the rear shoes, works fine now.

 

[Stratman]

I'll take a look at the shoes and make sure they're properly adjusted.

Thanks for the tips

 

[Major774]

My father never uses his parking brake pedal, he bought his W210 from new and its still working fine.

I really use mine as well, I just leave it in P.

However, I do use it if I'm on a slope... just incase.

 

[DSM10000]

I had the parking brake assembly replaced on my W203, it did not require the dash to be removed, I was charged 3 hours labour for removal, refitting and setting up.

 

[Stratman]

I'd love to know how they did it

 

[DSM10000]

I'd love to know how they did it

Simple; I dropped it off and a few hours later I returned, entered my PIN and there it was, all done!

 

[BlackC55]

Have you tried some adjustment?

 

[Stratman]

Not yet. My trolley jack looks to have seen better days, I might have to invest in a new one before lifting a Merc

 

[BlackC55]

Firstly adjust at the rear hubs in the usual way. Check to make sure that they are not binding. Take the wheels off and locate the shoe adjuster through a wheel bolt hole.

Then take up the rear
seats. Remove the plate covering the parking brake adjustment Y peice.

Lubricate it while someone repeatedly pushes the parking brake pedal up and down while holding the release lever out.

Then adjust the 13 mm nut so it tightens the cable. Do this in small increments.

It is very important that you only adjust it a little at a time.