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Malfunctioning ABS
T leased a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 'van in September last year and have also suffered the serious braking faults as Kings Road tyres experienced (Letters, CM 5-11 September).
On three separate occasions the ABS has malfunctioned resulting in complete brake failure. Mercedes-Benz has repeatedly stated this was a fault that could not occur and only after a Mercedes dealer road tested the vehicle for 2,000 miles and experienced the same failure did they accept that the vehicle had an ABS problem. This resulted in the vehicle being sent to Mercedes-Benz technical department at Milton Keynes. After numerous tests they found a major misalignment of the ABS sensor on the rear axle which caused the complete brake failure.
After running the vehicle for 3,000 miles it developed a new braking deficiency—the same as experienced by Kings Road Tyres—erratic brake pedal travel. After numerous tests Mercedes returned the vehicle claiming it conformed to all efficiency tests.
They have stated they will replace my van but the earliest date is December which I find unacceptable. Keith Huslcinson Husky Battery Repairs
0 Mercedes-Benz replies: We have regular contact and extensive discussions with this customer and our regional engineers have inspected his vehicle thoroughly Mr Huskinson correctly states that there was an ABS fault; this was traced and rectified.
His second question relating to the length of brake pedal travel has also been investigated by our engineer and the brakes were found to perform to standard specification, le better than legal requirements The length of pedal travel in the Sprinter is characteristic of the vehicle's brakes and it is designed to give a progressive performance.