W124 serious brake problem??

[russ79]

Afternoon All,

So I have a problem (I think) with the brakes on my 320ce but not sure how to resolve. When coming to a stop very gradually/slowly, I usually have a bit of brake squeal, and sometimes just before the car stops, the brake pedal dives a little and the brakes seem to grind. The car still stops so the brakes are working, but am really unsure what the problem is or whether to / how to fix it. Braking quickly or at speed (i.e. above 10mph) doesn't elicit the same problem. I also noticed that when statioanry if I engage the gearbox in Drive, that I can feel feedback into the gear stick from pushing the brake pedal; are these things linked, perhaps ??

Any advice welcome - cheers

 

[Sp!ke]

Afternoon All,

I also noticed that when statioanry if I engage the gearbox in Drive, that I can feel feedback into the gear stick from pushing the brake pedal; are these things linked, perhaps ??

Hmm... thats an odd one indeed. I need to lie down and ponder over that for a while as my brain cant compute the possible cause at all right now.

 

[Stratman]

Possible servo issue?

 

[russ79]

that sounds though it could be expensive.

 

[w124coupe]

Starting with the easy stuff, are the pads worn out?

 

[russ79]

i haven't checked as i'd presumed it would be something more complicated than this, but will do so tonight.

 

[EDZ649]

The brake pedal is linked to the inhibitor switch which stops you from engaging a gear without applying the brakes first. I have felt 'feedback' before if I hold the gear shift whilst pressing the brake pedal. In fact you can hear the switch releasing sometimes. Your problem seems slightly different. You may have a faulty switch but others more qualified will be able to advise I'm sure.

 

[russ79]

ah perfect - that sounds like the same thing.

ok i had linked the two "issues" together, but i probably just became supersensitive to the two things being linked and being wrong. it's funny that once you start noticing a sound that you've not noticed before that you become paranoid and just wait for something bad to happen or spend lots of money fixing it, despite the fact that it was probably there all the time !

right - i will just concentrate on the first issue, in that case. ta​

 

[grober]

Sounds like a sticking brake calliper/pad to me?? how long since they were changed /regreased/cleaned up

 

[Olivier]

Would it be the fluid? The brake pedal dive would suggest bubbles or water in it and boiling? No?

 

[jonnyboy]

To be honest I wondered if it was a faulty master cylinder, as it gets to the bottom of its travel

 

[w124coupe]

Not the best time of year but if it was me I would probably work around the car checking and freeing up each brake and changing the fluid at the same time (and cleaning the back of wach alloy!).

Depends on the history of course!

 

[kth286]

it's probably just some dirt on the ABS sensors in the hub; and it is the ABS working a bit at that slow speed - I have had it on mine before I cleaned the sensors where you will find bits of metal particles etc clinging to it.