Instead of wasting posts on an irrelevant thread, I thought I'd ask separately.... My 1983 300SD has a brake fluid reservoir that resembles a forward facing triangle, with two sensors (brake level?) on opposite ends. There are two chambers to it, on mine, the larger chamber fills the back end (toward the brake booster), and overflowing it finally fills up the front end (toward the headlights). The way that it looks is like a left-facing triangle (almost like a right angle) with arcs (ie chamber walls) on the bottom left and right corners.

I also have an 84 300SD and changed the front passenger caliper (leaking brake fluid), and now the chamber that extends from the middle to the back (but not the front of the reservoir, which are toward the headlights) is dry.

I'm curious given that I've read up (and caused some debate) that which chamber goes to which end of the car (front to front/back to back, or front to back/back to front). I have a hunch that depending on whether there is ABS, and perhaps what year it is, the reservoir layout may be different.

I also notice on my reservoir that there are two "MIN" lines on the same driver's side and I see two distinct levels both from my driver's end (ie peeking over the driver's wheel). I've read that some other reservoirs have to separate layouts where you may have to look from the passenger side to see the fluid level for the rear. But not mine, the levels are clearly readable (and different) on just the driver's side.

I can't just help see what I'm seeing, despite others saying that admitting such information is misleading to others (and 'dangerous').

Is it possible that there are variances in the master cylinder/reservoir depending on ABS and year for the W126's? I have a 85 300TD and the reservoir seems to match also.

What do folk out there have? I've been told that what I'm seeing on my car is ultimately impossible and I'd like to get a general consensus from others if possible...

My 85SD has the same master reservoir. The front chamber is for the rear brakes. This has been the case on every car I've owned.

Mid year 85 ABS was added. Per FSM, the 85 ABS located above & behind the glow relay is interchangeable with later ABS. Interchange years wasn't specified - thru 89 at least will bolt up. I'm not sure if the wiring is the same..

__________________
85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I recently replaced the MC on the SD in the pic, no ABS.

The rearmost two lines go to the front brakes, the one line coming from the front of the MC goes to the rear.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
83 SD

84 CD