...what a horrible feeling; I was not happy with the break feeling, it was not consistent. Brought it to a friend of mine, who is a master Mercedes mechanic, more familiar with the electronics in the newer Benzes' then with my 1979 300CD, but he knows his *****. He diagnosed it was the break booster; booster was filled with break fluid so I guess there was some truth in there.

After calling around we found a new one for $215.-, not a bad deal, to play it save we also ordered a new master cylinder: $59,-

Installed both and because the booster was off; replaced the sway-bar bushings as well, all together not that big of a job.

Drove the car out of the garage, booster was leaking air when pressing the breaks. Called the supplier; no new booster 'till after the weekend. I needed the car that day for work, had to make last minute arrangements for someone to replace me (loosing $200.-,).

For what ever reason, booster didn't make it 'till tuesday. Girlfriend is driving me around, I know she did this out of love but failed to show this to me.

Tuesday I call him, again a bad booster, not as bad as the previous one but still leaking. No new one for this price 'till Wednesday afternoon. He could get me one for $425 from the dealer, we decided to give the supplier one more change and hopefully save myself the extra $200.-.

Because he did already all the work I asked him to rebuild the vacuum pump as-well, so the entire system would be new.

Called him Wednesday; had no time to work on the car, he was swamped with real customers.

Yesterday he called me: good news, booster works great, only after rebuilding the vacuum pump it creates not enough vacuum: 15 instead of 20 inches of vacuum.

With out telling me he orders a brand new vacuum pump; another $300.-. The pump was only a preemptive measure, worked all fine before and not really necessary at this time, but we have to keep the economy going so what the...

Now there is still a small leak somewhere in the lines to the doors, I know he is right, didn't know the trunk, diesel filler door and the seats worked on vacuum 'till a week ago. So something is definitely wrong or missing over there. He capped those lines off, will do those my self when I have some more time.

Off-course I can't complain, he doesn't charge me labor and I get most parts cheap, but still...not hearing the diesel engine for a week hurts.

With paying the future rounds in the bar and parts it all came up to $850.- + $200,- I missed for loosing a half day of work. Good that three different jobs came in today, so Xmas won't become a credit card debt adventure.

The good thing is that with replacing the front calipers and rotors last month I have an almost new break system, only the back breaks are left to absorb same more cash.

So altogether with replacing: calipers, rotors, brake booster, master cylinder, vacuum pump and rebuilding my old Becker Mexico radio (this was an impulse buy ) I spend $1300.- in the last two months.

Tomorrow I will pick my baby up, will take it to the car wash (hand wash off-course) and take it for a long ride...baby I'm coming!

__________________
1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).