Change Car Handbrake Cable Mercedes-Benz SLK

Change Car Handbrake Cable

Very easy 0h30–2h00 ~50–200£
Estimated time 0h30–2h00
Estimated labour cost ~50–200£
Difficulty Very easy
Renew the parking brake lock cable 2h00
Check the parking brake* 0h30
Adjust the parking brake 0h30–0h45
Check the brake pedal travel 0h30
Check the parking brake shoes* 0h30
Remove/refit the left parking brake cable 2h30
Renew the left parking brake cable 2h30
Remove/refit the right parking brake cable 2h30
Renew the right parking brake cable 2h30
Remove/refit both parking brake cables 3h30–4h00
Renew both parking brake cables 3h30–4h00
Remove/refit the parking brake cable 2h00
Renew the parking brake cable 2h00
Check the parking brake cable* 0h30
Repair the handbrake cable* 0h30
Lubricate the parking brake cable* 0h30
Repair the parking brake lever* 0h30
Remove/refit the parking brake shoes 2h30–3h30
Renew the parking brake shoes 2h30–3h30
Clean the parking brake shoes 0h30
Mechanical parking brake* 0h30
Difficult parking brake cable removal* 0h30
Remove/refit the front parking brake cable 2h00
Renew the front parking brake cable 2h00
Remove/refit the rear left parking brake cable 2h00
Renew the rear left parking brake cable 2h00
Remove/refit the rear right parking brake cable 2h00
Renew the rear right parking brake cable 2h00
Remove/refit the parking brake cables 2h30
Renew the parking brake cables 2h30
Remove/refit the parking brake lever 1h30
Renew the parking brake lever 1h30
Clean the parking brake shoes* 0h30
Repair the parking brake lever 0h30

What is the function of Mercedes-Benz SLK handbrake cables?

The handbrake cables transmit the force exerted on the lever (or pedal) to the rear brakes. The handbrake (parking brake) immobilises the vehicle when parked, even on steep slopes. It also serves as an emergency brake in the event of main braking circuit failure.

Does my Mercedes-Benz SLK have handbrake cables?

Some vehicles have a handbrake with a lever and cables (entry-level models and those over 5 years old). Other vehicles have an electric parking brake operated via a button. Vehicles with electric parking brakes do not have conventional handbrake cables.

When should you change the Mercedes-Benz SLK handbrake cables?

Replace if: the handbrake lever travel is excessive despite adjustment, the cable is frayed or corroded, the cable outer sheath is split, or the cable has seized (common in vehicles not driven regularly). Also replace if the vehicle rolls on a slope with the handbrake fully applied.

Is it difficult to change Mercedes-Benz SLK handbrake cables?

Difficulty level 1/5: very easy. Key steps: release the handbrake, raise and support the vehicle, disconnect the cable from the brake mechanism at the wheel end, disconnect from the handbrake lever, feed the new cable through the same route, reconnect at both ends, adjust tension so the lever locks at 4–7 clicks, test on a slope.

View all compatible products →
View your SLK maintenance plan (keep the SLK token) →

3 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
SLK 1996-2004 1996-2004 200 Kompressor, -LPG LPG,Petrol (111.958), 230 Kompressor, -LPG LPG,Petrol (111.983), 32 AMG Kompressor Petrol (112.960), 320, -LPG LPG,Petrol (112.947) LPG, Petrol
SLK 2004-2010 2004-2010 200 Kompressor, -LPG LPG,Petrol (271.944), 200 Kompressor, -LPG LPG,Petrol (271.954), 280, -LPG LPG,Petrol (272.942), 350 Petrol (272.969), 350, -LPG LPG,Petrol (272.963), 55 AMG Petrol (113.989), 55 AMG Petrol (113.989) LPG, Petrol
SLK 2011-2016 2011-2016 200 Petrol (274.920), 250 BlueEFF Petrol (271.861), 250 CDI Diesel (651.980), 300 Petrol (274.920), 350 BlueEFF Petrol (276.956), 55 AMG Petrol (152.980) Diesel, Petrol

Other repair guides

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Easy 0h30–1h30
Change Car Air Filter

Change Car Air Filter

Very easy 0h30–1h00
Change Car Battery

Change Car Battery

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Cabin Filter

Change Car Cabin Filter

Very easy 0h30–0h30
Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Easy 2h00–2h30
Change Car Front Brake Pads

Change Car Front Brake Pads

Easy 1h30
Change Car Fuel Filter

Change Car Fuel Filter

Easy 0h45–3h00
Change Car Oil Filter

Change Car Oil Filter

Easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Rear Silencer

Change Car Rear Silencer

Easy 1h30
Change Car Shock Absorbers

Change Car Shock Absorbers

Easy 2h00–8h00
Change Car Water Pump

Change Car Water Pump

Easy 2h00–5h00
Change Car Clutch

Change Car Clutch

Technical 5h00–7h00
Change Car Glow Plugs

Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 2h00
Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30
Change Car Spark Plugs

Change Car Spark Plugs

Easy 0h45–3h30
Change Car Turbo

Change Car Turbo

Very technical 5h00–8h00
View the service schedule for your SLK →