...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!

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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).

I know where your coming from we have all had weeks like that.

Mine has been on jack stands since Wednesday. I can't wait to get her on the highway and let her rip. It is going to be like getting let out of a cage.

I have been driving my moms Olds Cutlass. I hate GM cars more and more what a peice of crap.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Damn, we don't realize how much money we put in these cars

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Audi TT

Kamil, because the car is gone I could not pick up the speakers yet, will pick them up tomorrow from the post-office.

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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).

What do you mean pick them up from the post office ? Doesn't the mail man just drop it off at your door ?

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Audi TT

They left other packages at my door before, but not this time.

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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).

Picked up my car this morning, remember I brought it to my buddy because of the inconsistent break feeling; after replacing all the parts it was a little better, but still didn't like the feeling. This inconsistent feeling started after replacing the calipers, rotors and repacking the wheel bearings a month earlier.

Put it on the lift to adjust the hand-break; wiggled the wheels, I always do this when the wheels are in the air, left front wheel was a little loose...the nut that holds the wheel bearing was not tide, tide it up and the breaks work great!

All this work, money and a week with out the car for a little nut! Still all the parts needed to be replaced; they where on there way out...

Btw replacing the front sway bar bushings improved the handling of the car so much, at high speeds the car is very smooth again, drives like a town car now.

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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).