W202 Changing rear brake disks, parking brake stuck

[Alias no.9]

Hi folks,

I'm in the process of changing my rear disks and I can't get the disk off, there's a springyness to it so I'm assuming that it's catching on the the parking brake shoes. How do I release tension? I found this pic from a 124 on another thread, is the adjuster the same?

If so, which direction does it turn to release tension?

 

[renault12ts]

Try one way then the other. It will become obvious.

On the other hand is this a trick question? The photo shows the disc removed !!!

 

[grober]

Think of the adjuster wheel as having a RIGHT HAND THREAD shaft - to tighten the brake shoes you have to "unscrew" it. On both sides the geared wheel is nearest the front of the car- in the picture you posted the front of the car lies to the right of the picture confirmed by the gap for the caliper on the back plate. Using this logic to expand the brake shoes on the offside move the wheel in a downwards direction. To expand the brake shoes on the nearside turn the wheel in an upwards direction

 

[Will]

As above - very good explanation there from Graeme (that's my old 300TE in the pic!)

If it's still catching when the adjuster is wound in, might be worth checking the cable adjuster underneath isn't overly wound in?

New shoes are about £20.00 from MB with all new springs/adjuster and caliper bolts for both sides if it helps - got to be worth doing whilst the discs are off if they're worn like mine were

Will

 

[EDZ649]

Iv'e always been intrigued as to how the parking/hand brake shoes actually wear out, its not as if they actually do any physical stopping, generating friction etc.....

 

[Alias no.9]

Thanks guys I figured it out, both disks now done and the judder from the rear under braking that's been developing is gone. One of the disks had been badly scored, I think the last owner replaced just the pads when the disk needed changing. A better torch would probably have made it easier.
My top tip (apart from a good torch)
- position the wheel stud hole just above the caliper
- if your brakes are old and dusty like mine look for the spring, it will be easier to spot
- the adjuster will be mid way along the spring and closer to the edge of the hub

 

[Will]

Iv'e always been intrigued as to how the parking/hand brake shoes actually wear out, its not as if they actually do any physical stopping, generating friction etc.....

Sometimes they've dragged ever so slightly, especially on older cars with sticky parking brake cables or if the shoes are sticking slightly inside.

Will

 

[kth286]

Iv'e always been intrigued as to how the parking/hand brake shoes actually wear out, its not as if they actually do any physical stopping, generating friction etc.....

1. The warning light (stating parking brake is on) is not so easy to see in daylight and so it is easy to drive off without releasing the parking brake, until you realise the car is 'dragging'.

By then the parking brake shoes have gotten hot.

For this reason Mercedes fit a warning buzzer to hire cars.


2. On high mileage cars the rear caliper's often stick on.

On getting out the car you can smell the burning.

Of course this cooks the internal parking brake shoes as well.

 

[GregZ]

Disc/drum does not come of

Alias #9:

Where did you torch your disc? I cannot for the love of god remove mine (I have the tension completely released on the shoes but the disc doe not want to budge. I guess it is rusted/stuck on in the middle/ Is that where you put the heat to it? What kind of torch did you use?

Thanks,

Greg

 

[renault12ts]

^ I think the torch was for seeing the adjuster, not heating up anything.
Welcome.

 

[GordonTarling]

Greg - if the disk is a bit loose, but doesn't want to come off, then it's the adjusters that need to be slackened off, as per the other posts in this thread. However, if the disk is firmly attached to the hub, then a sound whack from behind with a piece of 4 x 2 ought to do the trick. The torch mentioned was to help you see into the hole, in order to locate the adjuster, NOT a blowtorch!

 

[crookedvulture]

Hi there,

Could you tell me where the cable adjuster is located?
Bought my w202 a few months ago and the Park Brake has not worked. Today I decided to look under the back seat and noticed that the two cables which go to the rear wheels were not attached!
Re-attached them, but the pedal seems very tight. The most I can get is 1 or 2 clicks and then the brake is fully on.

If somebody could point me in the right direction I would be VERY gratefull! MOT on friday!!

Cheers!

Rod