Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kenneth Gear on April 22, 2005, 18:58:16

Title: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: Kenneth Gear on April 22, 2005, 18:58:16

I recently had my brake reservoir replaced and flushed and bled the brake fluid.  

Before doing the wrok I noticed the brake fluid was black.  Now within a couple of weeks of having the work done, and without having driven the car more than a mile, the fluid in the rear side of the reservoir is black again.. the front-brake-end of the reservoir is the correct color.  

What is causing this?  (FYI..I have stainless steel brake lines)


Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: Malc on April 23, 2005, 02:11:25

This sometimes comes from the caliper, master cylinder  seals and or hoses. When you say you have stainless lines I assume you mean the pipework. Have you changed the flexible hoses recently??

You do get "crud" building up and you may have to flush the system a couple of times buy pumping fresh fluid through. Seems like a waste of fluid, but it's really the only think to do without taken it all apart.
Malc

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: Kenneth Gear on April 24, 2005, 09:47:32

yes the pipework in stainless.  So if I understand correctly the discoloration is from the rubber peices deteriorating?  Is that correct?



Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: Naj ✝︎ on April 24, 2005, 12:34:21

We have some 'clever' garages and main dealers in this country who would change the fluid in the resevoir only and charge for flushing the whole system.  :(
Can you trust your mech? Maybe the rears were not flushed.

naj



65 230SL
68 280SL

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: Kenneth Gear on April 24, 2005, 13:54:27

Good point

Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: J. Huber on April 24, 2005, 14:10:41

Just a related suggestion for all. The flexible brake hoses should be changed fairly regularly (every 4-5 years or so I think). They can look fine but be cruddy inside. And they are not expensive so if you cannot remember the last time -- I'd change 'em.

James
63 230SL

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: waqas on April 26, 2005, 02:47:19

What about metal brake lines? Is there a test to find out when they should be replaced? (mine look somewhat corroded on the outside)

Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) brakeline.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/Waqas/200542644621_brakeline.jpg)
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Waqas in Austin, Texas

Title: Re: Brake fluid discoloration
Post by: graphic66 on April 26, 2005, 05:34:56

Those are definitly pitted and the hose looks old too. It looks like that rearend is out. I think you should definitly replace those before installation. You could also clean and paint the axle before installing the brake lines and have a sharp looking unit.