Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: magicman on September 12, 2013, 00:04:32

Title: Brake hoses
Post by: magicman on September 12, 2013, 00:04:32
My mechanic insists there is only one rear flex brake hose on my 1968 250sl?  I thought there were two rear hoses?
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: Benz Dr. on September 12, 2013, 02:21:01
Get a another  mechanic. There are two different brakes hoses.
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: magicman on September 12, 2013, 02:48:52
That's what I thought. I have confidence in the lead mechanic but he didn't do the brake work. Can they call you for assistance in locating the other brake hose?
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: ja17 on September 12, 2013, 04:11:46
Its not hard to find.  Just follow the metal brake lines.
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: wwheeler on September 12, 2013, 05:04:16
I would do what Dr. Benz says, get a new mechanic. Most cars with solid rear axles have only one rear brake hose. But this is a Mercedes with a split rear axle. Different ball game.
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: jameshoward on September 12, 2013, 05:15:59
You don't say how many wheels the car has.

If 4, there should be two hoses.

But I'd also suggest Dan's advice be followed...
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: magicman on September 12, 2013, 13:57:08
We resolved the missing brake hose issue! As I mentioned, the lead mechanic didn't do the work & apparently the mechanic that did the work thought only one should be replaced. Not sure why he insisted there was only one though ??? The good new is that the car will be back on the road tonight for the first time in a couple months. I also had the brake booster rebuilt by a local rebuilder & replaced the tie rods, inner rack & steering dampener. All of those parts were original, including the brake hoses, so after 45+ years they were due.  Thanks again for your advice & assistance.
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: Jonny B on September 12, 2013, 17:53:49
Can you post some photos of the brake booster after the rebuild. New boosters are being made out of unaffordium, so having some options on rebuild is a good thing.
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: garymand on September 12, 2013, 19:34:11
Replace all your rubber brake hoses. 2 in front and one more in back.  They absorb somethng out of the brake fluid and swell closed. If one did it, the others will soon follow resulting uneven braking.  I've been getting my 250 road worthy, one rear was totally blocked, the other worked only one-way.  I replaced all 4 calipers with rebuilts, they were only 65 to 85 $ each.  The rotors are cheap too.  Something if you do yourself, it costs $300 in parts -rotors.  The rotors are ~$150 for all 4.  Under $500 for new brakes.  
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: Cees Klumper on September 12, 2013, 19:52:42
X2 on the hoses. Replaced mine after one was so restricted it would only work one-way; you don't see it from the outside but I believe most hoses have a date mark on them, so only thing left is to check that against a normal useful life. And I replaced my calipers this summer, made a big improvement in the braking characteristics (which I never considered as poor to begin with).
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: magicman on September 13, 2013, 02:32:56
Both rear brake hoses were replaced & I had the front hoses replaced just a couple of years ago. Calipers & rotors are in good shape.  JonnyB -as far as the brake booster is concerned, I had the internals rebuilt but the actual brake booster housing is original. The shop repainted it, not a perfect job but it will suffice for now.
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: Jonny B on September 13, 2013, 15:19:01
How did they take it apart?
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: sandcrab59 on September 13, 2013, 18:56:33
Thats a good question Jon.
How do you take it  apart?
Tom
Title: Re: Brake hoses
Post by: magicman on September 14, 2013, 04:58:17
My understanding is that you need a special wrench like tool to open up the brake booster. It cost me $135+ shipping for the rebuild.