I know some will spew-- but I got reman master cylinder from Autozone. Significantly cheaper, and quicker to the door than some of the "usual" suppliers. Also includes a LT warranty-- which the few I looked at elsewhere didn't. IF it lasts two years, I need to replace fluid anyway.. LOL ;)
$103-15 $15 "gift card for purchase of $100+ online) ($32 core) "$88 delivered to my door.."
**IF you're faced with this repair.. It is NOT the big deal you'd assume it is. If you've replaced brake hoses, or even a caliper-- it's not much different-- just the "other end" of the system.**
...IF you've never used these, or heard of them, may I suggest speedbleeders.
May I also suggest you buy them from my fellow Ohioan Kirby Fleming.
http://kirbysbrakebleeders.ecrater.com/ (he also sells them Ebay-- I think for the same price.)
ALMOST EVERY MERCEDES THEY HAVE A LISTING FOR USES THIS SPEEDBLEEDER..
SB8125LL
You'll need one for each corner.. Kriby sells them for $7 each, with $5 to ship any number anywhere in US..
THIS INCLUDES 123, 124 and 126..
Yes, I do have a mighty vac.. I really like this better.. Maybe because I have to spend less time on the ground next to or under the vehicle.. Or my friends can't borrow it, and not bring it back when I need it..
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I started with two quarts of fresh fluid, and two cans of brake cleaner spray..
I drained the master cylinder reservoir.. As an ER nurse, I have access to some nice "tools"-- I used a syringe with some oxygen tubing on the end.. You could use a "baby bulb" syringe-- like you get from the dollar store to suck snot out of infants..
Once I got out as much out as I could-- I removed the wires, then I wiggled/jiggled and popped the reservoir off. And I didn't BREAK it! (thank GOD)
It makes it easier to remove the brake lines (11mm flare wrench)
then the master cylinder from the firewall.. (13 mm-- I used a "gear wrench-- perfect for this!)
You'll hear people talk of bench bleeding.. I put a little fluid in the holes the top of the master, and pushed the barrel a couple times.
--and probably didn't need to do that.
I reconnected it to the brake booster, and connected the lines..
I "rinsed" the reservoir with brake part cleaner.. THEN with brake fluid that I DISPOSED of.. Doesn't look new, but it removed the black nastiness inside of it.
I did pull the old pads/replaced the brake hardware from the back.. Then bled right rear, left rear-- right front and left..
I'd been up all night at work-- a two hour mandated "education" piece before I started..
...Using a bottle jack (which was a pain), but I didn't grab a floor jack.. I started at noon, and went and got my daughter at 330. So rear brake pads, a full system bleed, and the master cylinder replacement in 4 hours.
Simple tools-- DO invest in a real flare wrench.. Don't ask me why I know this.. LOL
The brakes-- are working great, actually I could've killed myself on the drive home, because the brakes are now even more "intense" than Mildred-- my "other" SD..
Interesting question.. Were cars BUILT with ATE and BENDIX calipers. No-- front are ATE (the little cotter clips) and BENDIX in the rear (the spring pins..) Or is this peculiar?? Or do I not know what I'm talking about??
