Hey guys, my nice new 1972 220D has a leaky front/right caliper. I am going to be fixing this problem myself. and would like to get some info before I start tearing it apart.

My mechanic told me the o-ring on one of the pins is leaking. He suggested I get a rebuild kit and rebuild it. BUT! He said that many pins on various older mercedes were chrome plated, and sometimes the chrome would flake off, causing an uneven surface on the pin. This uneven surface would prevent the ring from sealing the pin correctly. A rebuild kit would not solve the problem, in this case, and pins cannot be bought new from MB.

Does any one know if a 72 W115 has chromed pins?

Does any one have any advice on replacing the caliper?

Is there an easy bolt on caliper for better braking power? Mabye from a W114 or something?

Thanks, Cassidy

Cazzzidy,

I never heard of a "pin" in a MB caliper. Can you describe what the "pin" is.

Usually when calipers leak, it is the rubber ring on the piston. The repair kit has the rubber ring but not the piston. If the inside of the bore is Ok, the caliper can usually be rebuilt.

I rebuilt the front calipers on my 300SD because thay leaked and it wasn't hard to do.


P E H

Hahaha, of course, piston is what I meant. I dont know why I said "pin". I have been up for too long....

Anyway, thanks for the tips.

But do you understand my question better now? Some pistons were chrome plated, supposedly.

Don't know anything about the chrome plated pistons, but will comment about your other question.

"Is there an easy bolt on caliper for better braking power? Mabye from a W114 or something?"

Sounds like you have had a brake problem for some time, because the stock 220D brakes on my '68 could throw the passenger thru the windshield if I was not careful. Also, the original front pads did not need to be changed out till 104,000 miles and the rears lasted till about 135,000. The caliper changeout is fairly straight forward, but many suggest that the hoses be changed out as well. They should not add very much to the cost of replacement.

__________________
1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

I would be a little surprised if the piston and bore are not plated in some fashion. Without a hard, corrosion resistant surface the likelihood these parts would not get rusty and freeze in a period of months is very slim to none. Unless perhaps you live in an extremely arid climate, like the moon.

Any significant damage to either the cylinder bore or the piston is reason for replacing the calipers. These things work because of some forces of nature that can only be coaxed into play by some seriously controlled dimensional tolerances. Nothing to mess with as a do-it-yourself task. For your safety and the safety of others on the road with you, limit your repairs to replacing rubber seals and sheet metal heat shields and clips, and fasteners.

Replacements might be available from Fastlane or Partsshop. And they might be interchangeable with W123 calipers. I have replaced pads on both and the general procedure was the same, unlike the W201 and W124 calipers.

Hope this helps, and good luck. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)