Where has my rachet gone?

[Mike Walker]

Foot/hand brake on my W203 C180 has gone AWOL - any thoughts other than take it all to bits and replace?
All suggestions appreciated.

 

[219]

I've read postings somewhere re a spring that comes loose - hopefully would be evident on inspection of the mechanism ?

Good luck .

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Edit: I answered a different question!! The ratchet effect was still there in the scenario I describe below, but it appeared not to have any affect on the brakes.

It happened to mine a year or two ago. IIRC there's a cam and cable under the rear seat, and the cable slips off the cam.

Olly (blackc55) fixed it for me as it happened a day or so before one of his GTGs. I didn't see what he actually did but it took only a few minutes to resolve.

I guess the same symptoms would occur if the cable snapped.

 

[Smiley]

If it is the same as a w124 then the ratchet mecahnism is down in the footwell next to the brake lever. There is a pawl and spring that creates the ratchet. I bet the spring has broken - a new one from MB was less than £1 IIRC; quite easy to fit as well - if you have a look and operate the lever with your hand it is obvious how it works. A 5 minute fix once you have the new spring.

 

[JAYGURNEY]

(rachet) i thought you were looking for a girl....lol... sorry but the mis-spelt ratchet was too funny not to comment..ok mike.

 

[BlackC55]

It is a plastic device that just makes a noise. It does nothing else. It takes 10 mins to fit.

 

[Mike Walker]

(rachet) i thought you were looking for a girl....lol... sorry but the mis-spelt ratchet was too funny not to comment..ok mike.

Memo to myself - never post early in the morning and when at work!

 

[Smiley]

It is a plastic device that just makes a noise. It does nothing else. It takes 10 mins to fit.

When the return spring broke on my 124 the footbrake pedal would not stay down - just came back up thus releasing the brake. And of course it chose to break when we were on holiday in Cornwall with hills everywhere.

 

[duncanh]

My ratchet packed up a few years ago. I never replaced it.

I don't miss it at all. I find that it is totally pointless.

 

[Mike Walker]

My ratchet packed up a few years ago. I never replaced it.

I don't miss it at all. I find that it is totally pointless.

I must admit that there is no effect on the brake which still works fine. It's the noise that I miss