I think I attempted something out of my league. I changed the brake pads and now my front left brake is leaking out all of my fluid while pressing brake. I can feel pressure but after 2-3 slow pushes the pedal has no back force and fluid is shooting out of my caliper? or brake pad area? or ???? I checked fluid level, went below min mark, I filled again in hopes I did not get air in the lines.... Fat chance at this point I suppose. My friend left with all of his metric tools (I am a newb and have yet to buy a set) but coming in the morning to help again.
Obviously we are beginners but I hope you guys can help me out as I do not want to tow to a shop if at all possible.
Vehicle: 1982 380SE AMG euro (parted out) , 1983 300SD, 1984 500SEL AMG euro
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,155
Sounds like your caliper is shot. Sounds like your skill level would warrant getting rebuilt calipers for the front. Search for some recent post about the rebuilts and their cost. You'll be done in no time.
Last edited by AzimuthAviation : 06-19-2007 at 11:52 PM.
I just replaced the rotors and calipers (Remanufactured) at shop, but I foolishly thought I could do the back pads myself for practice. Could a caliper be needed already after only three weeks?
Vehicle: 1982 380SE AMG euro (parted out) , 1983 300SD, 1984 500SEL AMG euro
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,155
I would hope not!!! Why would they install your old pads on new rotors and let you change them later!? Clean things up and see exactly where your leak is. Might just be a cracked hose after changing the caliper, or you got a bum caliper. The hose and bleed fitting are tight, correct?
Last edited by AzimuthAviation : 06-19-2007 at 11:54 PM.
Depends on who's re-mans you used. If they are the cheap/crappy re-mans that most online parts houses sell, then yes..you could most. definitely need to replace them again.
I only use Mercedes re-manufactured calipers or new.
The caliper is cracked, the shop wants $190 for a new one which includes labor. Does this sound about right? I actually was changing back brakes but my friend started without me and took off front caliper. Could he have cracked it by over tightening it? Thanks for the replies.
Did the shop carge you for the reman they just put on? Or did you supply them with the parts. If they supplied the parts, it should be under warranty. Most shops including mine will give some sort of parts/labor warranty. He we do 12Mos/12000 mile on most repairs.
Yup...I won't install those no matter what you pay me...3rd world offshore rebuilds. Call me crazy buy trusting my life (As well as those around me) to some dude w/ a 3rd grade education making 50 cents an hour does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy..
I am going to have the shop install the new caliper for me because I have no brakes to get it home and don't trust myself with install now. I am worried about the right reman one now. I will get a new one of those as soon as I can. I don't know how I turned a back brake pad job into a front caliper problem. Needless to say it is an expensive lesson in what not to buy and where to draw the line on DIY.
Wish I would have talked to you guys about parts before buying. Thanks for all the info though, it is much appreciated. I would like to learn to do things myself but lack the knowledge. Yes I just publicly announced my incompetence in car repair.
Newb Brake Pad Change, Now Brake Fluid Leaking 
looking to see if they have a warranty but prob not. The new one will come with the warranty.
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