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FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

If your reservoir on your 450SL is original or close to it, it will be filled with a considerable amount of crud. This crud should be cleaned out and carefully. While it might appear just as easy to purchase a new reservoir, everyone I contacted in the U.S. are out of stock. While they are available in Europe, the reservoir retails for hundreds.

This unit is simple, but I emphasize, work with care so you do not damage any parts.

Once the brake master cylinder and reservoir have been removed from the car, CAREFULLY, (not spilling any fluid on any painted surface) place over a flat container as fluid will continue to
leak from the master cylinder. Open the filler cap or black cap. Remove the strainer and black rubber diverter. When removing the strainer and diverter, be sure you do not spray brake fluid at
you or other objects in your work area. Using needle nose pliers for the diverter works very well. Again, don’t yank or pull too hard.

Once those two parts have been successfully removed, dump the remaining fluid from the reservoir. With most all the brake fluid drained from the system, it is time to separate the reservoir from the master cylinder. Place the master cylinder in a bench mounted vice fairly tight and gently pull the reservoir off. Pull straight up and do as little wiggling as possible. It will most likely be quite difficult, but keep going. Once separated, continue to disassemble the reservoir to clean as follows:

Remove the two side caps (covers) protecting the float sensors.

Remove both float assemblies as as follows: Remove by gently inserting a wide blade screwdriver end into the notch opposite the connecting pins and gently drive straight up from holder. You will need to work back and forth from both sides, pressing a bit with the screw driver, then gently leveling out on the connector side to keep the float assembly moving straight up and out. Again, DO NOT FORCE anything.

Once the floats are out, you are now ready to clean the decades of crud from the reservoir. I checked with a brake rebuilding company in California and was told to use brake parts cleaner to loosen all the curd for further cleaning. Using the attached (red) nozzle that comes with your brake clean, spray forcefully around the bottom of the reservoir to loosen all the dirt. Remember the fluid will continue to drain out the bottom of the reservoir. You may want to consider eye protection for this, it will spray back at you.

Once the crud has been loosened, you can now take the reservoir and wash it well in hot soapy water (Dawn works great) along with the strainer and caps. If you go this rout, you MUST be certain that absolutely NO WATER remains in or on any part! My suggestion would be to blow everything out with your shop air and let the parts dry for several days before reassembling.

When all is dry, reverse your process and attach reservoir to new master cylinder. Again, press on gently as it will require a good bit of pressure. Once again, avoid rocking and too much wiggling when fitting. You are now ready to install on your booster and reconnect your brake lines and fluid leave sensor plugs.

 

Potential parts needed:

 

Helpful tools:

  • Brake Cleaner
  • Flathead screwdriver appropriate for job
  • Bench Mounted Vice
  • Disposable Shop Towels
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Dish
  • Detergent
  • Patience

 

Shop Mercedes Benz Parts Online Catalog Lifetime Warranty

 


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Written by :
Alex Fiehl


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