Master cylinder repair kits?
 

Well, after months of pouring over the forum I've finally reached the point where I have to ask for help. First, thanks go out to all the folks who contribute. I've learned sooo much because I knew sooo little! :)

Now, I've got 3 cars that sometimes weep brake fluid past the piston rod seal in the rear of the master cylinder and down the outside of the brake booster. The '83 300D I'm working on now only 'leaks' noticably when I flush the brake system with my homemade power bleeder at 3-5 psi. There are no noticable internal leaks, just the rear seal leaking. I've searched the forum and ebay for a source of rebuild kits but struck out. I've found master cylinders online and locally for about $64 but only one rebuild kit locally for $130!:eek: (the store's jobber price is $114!). As long as the MC bore isn't pitted I'd rather rebuild them than spend $200 for 3 new MC. Anyone know of a source of reasonably priced MC rebuild kits?

The other cars are a 82 300SD and a 80 240D.

Thanks again for all your help.

i havent been able to find them. last i had heard eveyone stopped selling them due to reliability. i would honestly spring for a rebuilt oem.

Yeah, I may have to spring for a rebuilt oem. Having to spring for 3 is what will hurt! :( It's against my nature to discard a component simply due to a worn 23 yo seal. I trust my judgement as to whether a MC is rebuildable. Perhaps the outrageous price quoted by my local parts store reflects an allowance for liability issues.?

Thanks for responding kmaysob.

Anyone out there have a source? I'm still looking!

It`s better to search by the rep.kit part number than by wehicle systems..
First browse through the Ate web catalogue
www.ate-brakes.com
or the EPC
http://detali.ru/cat/oem_mb.asp
to verify the rep.kit number for your vehicle and then use the Direct article search option.For example:
http://www.***************/search/productx.aspx?sid=3oxxsjrapbmkak55jpkir33w&partnumber=002%20586%2022%2043
86$ is still:eek:

although i dont any more
 

i have rebuilt many mc and brake cyl. nowadays the rebuilt items seem pretty reasonable.

but i remember the days when i had to save up for a $20 part, and i once drove for several months with no muffler on my 62 fintail with an exhause system with about ten pieces of scrap pipe from my dad's garage corner and nine clamps. if you watched your shift points it wasnt too loud and at highway speeds at 60 it was unbearable but at 70 was downright quiet!

tom w

"i once drove for several months with no muffler on my 62 fintail"

LOL... Ah yes, the things we did to save a buck when we were young:)

Dad drove once our 200 Diesel fintail for 20 miles with no exhaust system...the pipe broke just at the exh.manifold junction...Unforgettable!

slowmike,

Have U tried your MB dealer? Sometimes they are the last resort.

P E H

vox incognita , I haven't found a repair kit number yet. My dial-up is sooo slow I tend to nod off. I did find the $86 kit from ********az also!:eek:

PEH, I think there's a benz dealer this side of Atlanta. I'll try to find their number and see what they have to offer. Good idea.

Anyone who has a source feel free to chip-in. I'm still looking!

i think the last
 

time i bought a new mc it was bout 80. course the dollar has gone down since then and all the european made parts are very dear.

tom w

slowmike,

$86 for a kit, geeze. I bought a master cylinder for that for my '80 300SD.

I'm with you. I hate to replace anything more than what is required. I hope someone finds a source. I've been looking for a source for the monovalve diaphragm. The dealer wants $96 for a monovalve repair kit when in most instances a $.20 diaphragm is all it really needs.
There's got to be a source in the third world. No Indian or Iranian is going to buy a new master cylinder when it can be rebuilt.

I thought I already provided you with this over on OD, but, if not:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heater-Valve-Kit-Mercedes-Benz-300-d-cd-td-sd-123-126_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33548QQitemZ8028653674QQrdZ1

Now, I grant you that it's not $.20, but it's also not $96.;)

I got that but I'm still reluctant to give up my general principle. Whoever builds these things has a source for the diaphragm. I WANT ONE.
The logic of replacing the whole monovalve guts is the same as buying a whole new car when the oil needs to be changed.

I believe the diaphragm is crimped to the metal portion of the valve. It may also be crimped to the screen. I don't think you can replace the rubber diaphragm yourself, even if you could obtain it.