Does Your Mercedes Need a Brake Repair?

Your brakes are one of the components that are exposed to wear and tear daily. Since the braking system involves friction, it shortens the lifespan of many of the parts. As your Mercedes dealer, we know how critical this system is to your safety. Early repair of any problem with the brakes can keep you and your car safe. These are some of the signs that you need a brake repair.

Rigid Brake Pedal

When you press your brake pedal, it should offer resistance. If you find that your brake pedal provides so much resistance that it almost won’t move, this means there’s a problem. This problem is caused by either a blockage in the brake line or a fault with the brake booster. A blockage in the brake line, for example, an air bubble or a small piece of rust, will block the flow of brake fluid.

The brake booster uses vacuum pressure to provide ten times normal strength to depress the pedal. If there’s damage to the booster, the vacuum may have been compromised. Without the support of this vacuum pressure, your pedal will be almost impossible to depress. Our technicians can check your brake system and fix the source of the problem.

No Brake Pressure

This problem is the opposite of the rigid brake problem above. In this case, when you press the brake pedal, it will go to the floor. Your braking system is demonstrating little to no brake pressure. The possible causes of this are a lack of brake fluid, air in the brake hose, or a problem with the brake master cylinder.

Air can get anywhere, even the sealed brake hoses. An air bubble will block the flow of fluid and prevent it from providing the necessary hydraulic pressure. A lack of brake fluid will have the same effect. The master cylinder controls the braking system. It provides the pressure to push brake fluid through the brake hoses. The master cylinder will have to be replaced if it’s damaged as it can’t be repaired.

Your Car Pulls to One Side

If your car pulls when you apply the brakes, this is a sign that there’s a problem with the brake system. It means that the brakes on one side of your car’s front are working and the other side isn’t. Damage to the caliper on one side, or a blockage in the brake hose can both cause your car to pull. A blockage in the brake hose will prevent the fluid from generating the pressure to apply the brake.

Hydraulic pressure from the fluid in the hoses pushes the caliper pin out, which causes the caliper to close on the wheel rotor. If the pin is jammed, the caliper won’t close, and your brake won’t engage. Your car will pull towards the side that has a working brake.

If you experience any brake problems, call our service department at Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton. Our Mercedes-trained technicians will find and fix the problem.