Bert - the reason that I am replacing the master cylinder is that it has been failing to release for about six to nine months. At first it would squeal and then work OK, then it stopped releasing and the bundt is getting pretty hot. I compare it to the other three wheels after a drive and it is significantly hotter. And now finally I can smell the hot wheel. So my guess is that just replacing the seals would not work.

In the old days you would hone out the brake cylinder (before disc brakes) when you rebuilt it but I do not know if you can hone out this caliper. Also guys have said it is pretty difficult just to replace the seals the first time you try it. This caliper has served me well for 30+ years so I am not too unhappy.

You don't really have to worry about honing the caliper bore, as the seal rides on the piston in the Bendix calipers.

the problem I faced was the chrome plating was eaten away by moisture and the piston rusted to the bore, which induced a pull to the right.

The seal is a single square-profile 'O' ring and a dust seal. They are actually very easy to install.

I replaced my front calipers with rebuilt units from Europe because of the chromed piston issue.

Hopefully Manny, Moe & Jack get it right for you this time....

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

My 1978 300SD has an ATE Booster with a Lucas/Girling M/C and Bendix calipers. I guess on a 1978 with chassis #000433 anything is possible.

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

Supposed to be ready Tuesday night; we will see.

Fingers crossed!!!!!

I know how you feel, it took a week to get my front calipers!!!!

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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership

Update - got the SD back Wednesday night and it brakes like a dream; no squeal and no heat problem at the bundt. They ended up getting the caliper from Baker Auto Parts in Atlanta for $100 instead of $65 (from their rebuilder). I talked to the mechanic and he said the Pep Boys caliper backside was slightly different from my original part and it kept rubbing when installed. He sent two back before ordering from Baker but the Baker one fit fine. Not sure exactly what it was rubbing on but I appreciate the mechanic doing it right.

So $100 labor, $100 caliper and $20 for blown brake hose. They tried to stick me for $18 for an extended labor warranty but I saw it on the final bill and had them take it off. What they would not let me do is use the 20% Father's Day coupon (yes, I have been working on this since Father's Day) on the caliper because it was not their part.

I call this about a breakeven. I did not have the time to fuss with a caliper that did not fit plus arguing with them to send me something different when the book said their part would fit. Actually I give Pep Boys about a B+ on this one.

I had no idea the 126 calipers were so difficult to source. I have LOTS of them. I guess I'll get a bunch of rebuild kits, and rebuild them.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Update. No problem so far. Still brakes like a dream.

Meanwhile I have replaced a front caliper on the Land Rover and it was so easy that I kick myself for paying Pep Boys to do it on the 300SD.

Ps - I guess I never corrected the error in my old post but it was the caliper - not the master cylinder- that I replaced.