Mercedes-based brake upgrades?

[Wandering Albatross]

Quote from MadMax2008 on page 6 of this thread:

I found out the Dodge sprinters had a different master and booster from the 2010-2018 Mercedes branded ones. If you swap boosters on the Dodge you need the master as well. Same bore size as far as I can tell, just bolt spacing is different.

We have a 2008 Dodge Sprinter and they were manufacturered from 2007 until 2009. I looked at the Europarts SD website and they have a different part number for the Dodge Sprinter master cylinder than the 2010+ Mercedes Sprinters.

With this in mind, I suspect MadMax2008 is correct they we would also have to change the master cylinder as well because the bolt pattern sounds like it does not match the VS30 master cylinder and booster. I gather that the VS30 boooster and pedal will bolt in (minus the brake light sensor), but our master cylinder would not bolt to the late model booster.

So now I need to look into wrecking yard options to see if I can find a reasonable deal on these parts. I'll also take a look at RockAuto, but they will likely be aftermarket parts as opposed to OEM.

Also, does it matter if these brake parts come from a 3.0L or 2.0L VS30?

 

[megzz]

I highly doubt the engine size has any affect on the brake booster

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I took a detailed look at the Europarts SD website and pulled the part numbers for brake boosters and master cylinders:

Brake Booster
2007 - 2009 (Dodge): 000 431 19 27
2010 - 2018: 000 431 21 27 ("Send us your VIN to Confirm Fitment before ordering as there are several options for these models")
2019+: 910 431 09 00

Master Cylinder
2007 - 2009 (Dodge): 000 431 76 01
2010 - mid 2014: 000 431 75 01
2014+: 910 431 12 00

This information might help explain why rk95 had an issue with having the correct master cylinder. Depending on when the vehicle was produced in 2014 could change the master cylinder that it originally shipped with. It also looks like there is variability in the brake booster that was used for those years based on the comment from their website.

These part numbers also support that a 2008 Sprinter like ours will require the master cylinder to also be replaced because it only fits the brake booster that was available between 2007 - 2009.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

The price I got from a wrecking yard for the VS30 master cylinder, booster, and pedal with a 30-day "warranty" was $350. The parts are from a 2022 Sprinter with 80k miles located in CA.

I read in this thread that someone was able to get these parts for $150 which sounds like a great deal.

Anyone have recommendations of wrecking yards that might have this parts available at a reasonable price?

 

[Eric B]

steering knuckles is one thing ... but a used master cylinder ? hmmm personally I'd rather get that new ... no ?
regardless, master cylinder + booster + pedal for $350 seems like a great deal to me ... I'd be suspicious of those critical parts coming in at only $150 ... ymmv

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Good points regarding used parts. I don't know what is better any more given the quality of some of the new parts these days. I had a new master cylinder fail after a few months, but it might have been a Bosch knock off. As mentioned, YMMV!

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I am getting closer to giving the booster, master cylinder, and pedal upgrade a try. Was able to get all three locally for $275 from a 2022 Sprinter in a wrecking yard. It will likely be a few weeks before I do the install, but I have been gathering parts and knowledge to hopfully have a good outcome.

I had a question about the brake sensor that everyone has been designing adapters for. When I purchased the used pedal, I was able to get also get the wiring harness connector pig tail. So I have the new style sensor and its associated connector.

Do I still need to make an adapater for the old brake light sensor or could I use the new sensor and splice the wires to connect to the pigtail? Basically, will the new sensor work with the old wiring?

Thanks!

 

[jdubbayew]

You guys are making this too complicated:

9102902400 - Pedal Assembly
9104310900 - Brake Booster

Use the new brake switch that comes with 9102902400, it plugs right in. Have had zero issues doing this .

 

[Wandering Albatross]

@jdubbayew What year is your Sprinter?

I am fairly certain that for older vehicles like our 2008 Sprinter, we have to also switch the master cylinder. If you look at the part numbers I posted earlier in this thread, it looks like anything older than 2014 will likely require the master cylinder to be updated.

With the brake light switch, I'll keep you posted if it fits. Hopefully it just plugs in!

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I am trying to figure out the brake light sensor options for the conversion. The "new" parts I am using are from a 2022 Sprinter that has the upgraded booster, however it has a different brake light sensor as some have previously noted. The connectors do not match so it won't directly plug in.

Has anyone tried using the new sensor and wiring it to the old sensor wires? I have the new pigtail connector. Could replacing the connector work or is the only way forward making a mechanical adaparter to mount the old sensor onto the new brake pedal?

Old sensor:


New senor: