[benreal]

I went to move my 1980 450SL R107 and had almost no brakes. checked the fluid and noticed it was way low, then I noticed on the floor in the garage where she was parked there was a puddle on the inside of the front left wheel.

I suppose it could be many things but I'm thinking maybe a caliper. Its only been sitting for about 4-5 weeks and brakes never leaked before.

Any ideas?

 

[dugald]

maybe the hose?
have someone step on the brakes while you look in the area

 

[benreal]

Weird, after topping it off its no longer leaking anywhere. Time to get dirty.

 

[RadioTek]

I would suggest bleeding the brake system soon. If you have air in the system, it may be "masking" a leak temporarily. You do NOT want to have any questions about the condition of your brake system. There could be a loose bleeder fitting, a loose or leaking hose, or a leaking caliper.


Brakes are a fairly simple, easy to work on system, for the most part. Things may get a bit messy, but if you wear nitrile gloves and keep plenty of papre shop towels handy, you should keep the damage to a minimum.

The parts are usually not terribly expensive, except for boosters. While the calipers and master cylinders can be a little pricey, the hoses, pads, etc... are usually quite reasonable if you shop around a bit.

Be careful,
Scott

 

[isthisdave]

Time to get dirty.

Follow the trail.

 

[roncallo]

Weird, after topping it off its no longer leaking anywhere. Time to get dirty.

And did your pedal suddenly become hard??

 

[benreal]

And did your pedal suddenly become hard??

Yes, once I topped it off and pumped up the petal again it seemed fine but I'm going to go through it next weekend and make a list of everything that needs refreshing. Its parked for the winter so good time to do it.

Cheers!

 

[Jack Rushing]

Might be a wheel cylinder, but sounds like a front left brake hose. Mine only
leaked a few drops at a time when parked, but upon firing up, and moving the car, it really came out. If it is the brake hose, change both of them while your
at it. The old rubber type hose has been replaced by a metal mesh covered
one. Should last the life of the car. They are not very expensive, and rather
easy to change too.

 

[nobby]

Might be a wheel cylinder

Caliper?

The old rubber type hose has been replaced by a metal mesh covered one.

Not the OEM ones.

But hey, the first set lasted how long?

 

[Jack Rushing]

Caliper?

Not the OEM ones.

But hey, the first set lasted how long?

Nobby, You are correct. I meant Caliper. I just checked with my mechanic,
and he said that he had put the wire mesh hoses on temporarily, while waiting
for the regular hoses to come in. They were for a later model MB. The first set
lasted twenty five years I guess. They were on the car when I bought it in
January 2001. Thanks for the correction.

 

[nobby]

and he said that he had put the wire mesh hoses on temporarily, while waiting
for the regular hoses to come in.

Nothing wrong with the braided lines. In fact they probably would last longer.