I think my master cylinder needs replaced on my 1983 300D. It sinks slowly to the floor on some stops and added twice DOT 4 brake fluid in the last 3 weeks. The resivoir on top seems a little loose also, i dont notice any fresh brake fluid leakage anywhere up front or near any of the wheels. Can i do this myself, id like to. Anyone on here do this job themselves.
My car has 201,000 miles, brakes up front are new. Rear never touched since ive owned it since 178,000. Could worn, cracked rear brake lines cause this also?

The main thing is to "bench bleed" it prior to installation. Most of them come with instructions. This is where you use the little tubes that come with it, put fresh brake fluid in there with the tubes connected to the brake line hoses and dumping back into the reservoir. Push the rod in a few times until you no longer get bubbles coming back through the tubes and it is ready to mount. Take your time when bleeding and make sure you do not get any air into the system and you should be good to go. Order the parts from Phil here at fastlane.com.
Anymore questions - bring them up.

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Jim

I agree, cake walk. BUT, BE ABSOLUTELY SURE TO REPLACE THE SEAL ON THE MASTER CYLINDER THAT CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER!!!! i didn't do this and it took me a week of troubleshooting, and replacing a brake booster(not fun at all) to find out that i didn't replace the washer on the back of the master cylinder. So then instead of 80 bucks for the master cylinder it turned into 200 including the used brake booster that i didn't end up needing. hope this helps someone out there
R

I tried to bleed my breaks by pumping the pedal and ended up ruining my master break cylinder. At that point, I was tired of getting soaked in break fluid so I bought the part and paid my local indie to replace it at 1 hr. labor. And they did a pressure bleed.

Now I know what I did wrong, so next time it'll be much easier.

Craig

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1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

I think the brake system is just about the most important system on a car .I always replace the master cylinder when I buy an older car and any caliper that shows any sign of sticking. It really doesn't cost that much to replace all four calipers and the master cylinder and have the peace of mind as well as the enjoyment of the fine brakes that MB puts on their autos.I also learned the hard way to never use anything but OEM pads....
William Rogers.....