Who rebuilds brake boosters for 230SL

[perry113]

I have a 64 230SL in my shop with a list of needs including needing a brake booster replacement.
Are there any recommendations for sources/vendors to get a rebuilt replacement?
Regards
Peter

[Tomnistuff]

Hi Peter,

I just received mine back today here in Quebec after sending it to Power Brake Exchange in Bell Gardens, California for rebuild.  I called their Contact number and talked to one of the bosses named Charles Pitts.  I think there are two Charles Pitts who run the place.  It was less than $200 plus shipping to Canada - Shipping to Canada is Not Cheap.

I sent it off on April 13 and got it back today, May 6.  It's pretty and I assume it will work.  Apparently lots of people here use Power Brake Exchange.  Mine was in really rough shape - rusty with fluid inside.

Tom Kizer

[wwheeler]

I second what Tom said with Power Brake Exchange. I had a choice of powder coat or paint. I chose powder coat but found the finish a little rougher than I would like. I think I would stay with paint. Other than that, their service was flawless and super easy to deal with.

[twistedtree]

And another vote fro Power Brake Exchange.  They have done a few boosters for me, including the one for my '64 230SL.  It works great and was well under $200.

[ctaylor738]

Another vote for Power Brake Exchange.  Done six with them.  Be sure to send them your booster for a rebuild.  The one time I did an exchange for a 250SL, I got the wrong one.  An option is to get it back unpainted.

[jerrycastillo]

Power Brake Exchange rebuilt my booster but then shipped it back without properly protecting the brittle plastic sleeve and it arrived broken. Now I have an inoperable brake booster!!!!

[Raymond]

Jerry, really sorry to hear that, especially because they have mine right now.  I'm surprised that you had a problem with this because when I spoke to Charles on the phone a couple of weeks ago, he brought it up and cautioned me to be very careful with it because that part is NLA.  So I was careful and insured the package for $1,000.  I'm curious to know if there is any carrier insurance on yours and how you make out if so.

By the way, there is a "Power Brake Exchange" in South Florida that appears to be unrelated.

[Shvegel]

Something we started doing on the boat(I work on a large yacht) is to have things powder coated then painted.  Powder coat is an excellent corrosion resistant and bonds well to the metal and paint sticks to it like glue.

[ejboyd5]

Apple Hydraulics, Calverton, New York.  Over the years they have done many boosters, wheel cylinders, etc., for me.

[wwheeler]

Something we started doing on the boat(I work on a large yacht) is to have things powder coated then painted.  Powder coat is an excellent corrosion resistant and bonds well to the metal and paint sticks to it like glue.

When I got my booster from PBE, it had some thin spots in the powder coating. I decided to paint over instead of sending it back. Powder coating does provide a near bullet proof undercoat for the paint to hold on to. When paint chips, it is usually at the weakest bond which is normally to the metal. The powder coat resolves that issue. And when painting over it, you have a much wider variety of colors and gloss levels.