Lost all back brakes!!!!

Post by **340GLT** » 31 Oct 2005 11:12 am

Well guys i just thought i ought to warn you to be careful when servicing the rear brakes on your 300!!
It started off by just needing to replace a rear wheel cylinder! So i clamped the rear hose up on the drivers side (Feeds both sides!!) And changed the cylinder no problems!!!
Anyways the problem started when trying to bleed the brakes!!! The pedal was solid!!!

So checked the lines cant see a problem, tried bleeding them again no such luck, checked the pressure valve in the front chassis leg and fluid was going to the back!!! Anyway checked to see if the brakes were working, NO BACK BRAKES AT ALL!!!!

Turned out the hose i clamped was on its way out and so closed up!!! I tried the car down the road to see how drivable it was, took it really steady and at 15MPH the front wheels just locked up when braking hard!!!

So just beware of the rear brake hose and i advise buying one to replace yours if you cant find records of it being done!! Because i wouldnt wish ANYONE to have to drive their car with no rear brakes!!! Its deadly!!!!

Cheers Adam

Post by **5lab** » 31 Oct 2005 02:13 pm

your handbrake will still work, if you need it

Post by **jtbo** » 31 Oct 2005 04:20 pm

If I can choose I lose rear brakes before front brakes, at least it is possible to stop the car with fronts, but with rear brakes car takes really long time to stop without spinning it

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 31 Oct 2005 04:43 pm

lesson learned = NEVER clamp brake hoses.

use a pedal pushrod (between seat and pedal) to prevent the system from leaking. works fine without damaging anything.

Gr. wouter

Post by **classicswede** » 31 Oct 2005 10:05 pm

No it is ok to clamp brake hoses. I have seen this happen loads of times with hoses (not caused by clamping). The lesson is to treat your brake system with respect. It is well worth replacing all the pipes in the system, the cylinders are very cheap so also worth doing. In fairness the calipers give pleanty of worning.

Dai

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 31 Oct 2005 10:11 pm

>No it is ok to clamp brake hoses.

sorry, wrong!

its an avoidable risk, so avoid it.

you're right on hoses gumming up without clamping; that does happen...

Post by **340GLT** » 31 Oct 2005 10:37 pm

Hold on the hoses are flexible and rubber so why can you buy tools from Girling who make brakes for this such purpose?

My grandad has worked on 1000's upon 1000's of cars in his lifetime and 55 years or so of which he HAS clamped hoses!!!
Rant over!!
Cheers Adam