Brake Booster, Master Cylinder & Proportioning Valve rebuilder recommendations

[TJMart]

I'm in the process of completely restoring my brakes. I contacted PMB Performance to rebuild my calipers but they do not rebuild other components.  Can anyone recommend someone that can rebuild the booster, master cylinder and proportioning valve? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Hopefully someone that can do all three.

Thanks in advance!

Tony

[Vander]

I recently was quoted to rebuild the master cylinder, and it was less money to buy a quality new/rebuilt one off the internet.

[roymil]

I found the same case for my master cylinder and just bought a new one and kept the old one around in case I want to rebuild it later...which now that I think, was not the original anyway as it was replaced years before.

I did get PMB to rebuild my rear proportioning valve because it was just like the 914 Porsche valves they do regularly for $179 (a couple years ago, so probably more now).  take a look at the picture on their web site and if yours looks the same then call them.

let us know who you find to do your booster and how it works out.   Thats about the only thing I haven't refurbished yet and I know Ill need  to. thanks,

[TJMart]

I found the same case for my master cylinder and just bought a new one and kept the old one around in case I want to rebuild it later...which now that I think, was not the original anyway as it was replaced years before.

I did get PMB to rebuild my rear proportioning valve because it was just like the 914 Porsche valves they do regularly for $179 (a couple years ago, so probably more now).  take a look at the picture on their web site and if yours looks the same then call them.

let us know who you find to do your booster and how it works out.   Thats about the only thing I haven't refurbished yet and I know Ill need  to. thanks,

Mark,

I talked with PMB and they are doing my calipers but they told me they do not do any other rebuilding so that's why I did my post.
I'll update this post with what I find out. Hopefully others will recommend someone.

Thanks

Tony

[rwmastel]

Check with White Post in Virginia.

[wwheeler]

PMB did my proportioning valve as well a few years back. Maybe they stopped doing that? Like Roymil said, the only difference between the Porsche is a spring. Master cylinders are usually not worth rebuilding. Buying new is the typical route.

[TJMart]

Wanted to update my original post.

I sent my calipers to PMB for rebuilding but they do not do proportioning valves. They referred me to a shop in California but I never received a call back to request a quote on my Booster, master cylinder and proportioning valve. I chose not to pursue them anymore as their service would probably not be that good. PMB has been used by many on this site and talking with them assured me that they will do a good job. I really liked that they will re plate the calipers to the original finish.

I contacted White Post Restorations and they would rebuild all three of them. The Booster and master cylinder can be done for a price that is cheaper than each one separately. It still is cheaper to rebuild the master cylinder than purchasing new, so I went that route. Only down side is that they are 3 weeks out to get them back.

I will post an update once I receive everything back.

[Sens]

Hi guys!

About 5 years ago I had a torn membrane in the booster so it did not work.

I bought a replacement membrane for about 25 dollars in the US and was able to replace it. Of course, the booster is a safety component, so you should know what you are doing!

It still works fantastic!

[DaveB]

How did you get the two spring loaded halves apart Halvor?
Just asking out of interest, I’m not intending to do it..

[Sens]

Hi Dave,

With a mallet and a big screw driver you can bend the notches and take it apart.

To close it is the opposite procedure.

[dirkbalter]

Hi Dave,

With a mallet and a big screw driver you can bend the notches and take it apart.

To close it is the opposite procedure.

I admit that I haven't done it myself but would question the mallet and screwdriver approach. Thake a look here.
https://w113.eu/geschlossen/Reparaturen/Bremskraftverstaerker%20Mercedes%20Pagode%20W113.htm

 

[Sens]

Hello, it worked very well for me!

I took some pictures 5 years ago and if I can find them I wil post them!

Halvor

[dirkbalter]

Ok. My booster was rebuilt locally but I have a spare that I will (try) to rebuild. Do you by any chance remember where you got the parts?

[Sens]

I looked into my mail but could not find it yet.
I ‘ll try again.

[dirkbalter]

Thank you.
The booster shop I used before, wants $235 to rebuild it. They also have a test bench to verify. Its probably not worth it to look for rebuild kits and do it myself.
 

[Sens]

Hi,

You could give these guys a call.
They have a lot of membranes on stock.
Also for old Mercedes and BMW’s

Regards,

Halvor

https://www.bestpartsonline.com/diaphragm-brake-booster-bmw-mercedes-53544-3611854031S-253822-?search=Diaphragm%20mercedes

[dirkbalter]

Thank you very much.
These guys are are actually 30min away from me.
Will check them out.
 

[Sens]

Lucky you!
For me about 12 hours flying and a few hours driving!

Good luck!

[rwmastel]

I contacted White Post Restorations and they would rebuild all three of them. The Booster and master cylinder can be done for a price that is cheaper than each one separately. It still is cheaper to rebuild the master cylinder than purchasing new, so I went that route. Only down side is that they are 3 weeks out to get them back.

I will post an update once I receive everything back.

Any progress?

[TJMart]

Any progress?

Rodd,

I received my calipers back from PMB and they did an impressive job.  Thanks to all that posted they had used them and I would strongly recommend them. Installed all 4 with new pads front and rear. Got the cotter pin straps done to hold down the emergency brake lines to the rear axle.

Still a couple weeks out for White Post to finish and 2 weeks probably will turn out to 4 by the time I actually receive them. I'll begin making all new brake lines next and install them with all new hoses.

I'll post some photos of the calipers so that others that are interested can see what the finish looked like.

Tony

[dirkbalter]

Just to follow up. Got my spare booster back from the rebuilder. $180 for rebuild, $ 60 for powder coating.
Anybody needs a contact, pm me.

[Peter van Es]

Dirk,

you are uploading .heic images renamed, not converted. Hence they do not show up properly in your post.
See this thread: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=38049.0

[mdsalemi]

I received my calipers back from PMB and they did an impressive job…Still a couple weeks out for White Post to finish…

So…PMB did the rebuild but White Post finishing? Not sure I understand.

Regardless is this less or more costly than just replacing the calipers?

[TJMart]

So…PMB did the rebuild but White Post finishing? Not sure I understand.

Regardless is this less or more costly than just replacing the calipers?

I had a problem with the left rear caliper not releasing and researching here, I concluded that the brake hose was the problem. I decided to restore all brake components since it had been 25+ years since the last caliper and master cylinder rebuild. Booster and proportioning valve had never been done. I also wanted the calipers in the original finish as mine were painted black.

I shopped around for pricing at the usual places Auto Haus AZ, K & K, Millers, MB classic, Pelican etc. I discovered that these places did not sell all 4 calipers, usually fronts or rears but not all 4 and many did not have the original finish but I assumed that they were selling all rebuilt because they all charged a core charge. Prices for the calipers depended on whether they were the fronts or rears. Prices were like $300+ to $400+ each for ATE. I then decided that i would just have mine rebuilt.

I originally wanted White Post to rebuild everything (Booster, Master cylinder, proportioning valve and calipers) because PMB only did calipers. At least that's what they told me. Others on this site have said that they do the proportioning valve too but maybe they don't do that anymore.  White Post wanted an extra $75 per caliper to have them plated with the original finish and PMB did not charge extra for that and they cost less to rebuild.  So they did my calipers and White Post is doing all the rest.

I found that it is cheaper to have your calipers rebuilt if you want the original plated finish and ATE calipers. I did not consider any other caliper other than ATEs when shopping. The booster and proportioning valve are much more expensive to purchase than a rebuild if you can find them for sale. The master valve is about the same price new as a rebuild but it was more convenient for me to just have a rebuild done with the other components.