Master Cylinder Reservoir Part Fitment Issue

[Joncf]

I’m replacing my brake fluid reservoir, and the supposedly correct part doesn’t seem to be compatible. I can tell it’s an updated ATE part instead of the original Girling, but the EPC says this part number is correct:

002 430 11 02

The issue is that the fitting for the braided ASR hose on the bottom of the new reservoir is completely missing. It seems like it was permanently filled in when it was produced. There’s a protruding tube which is capped off on the OPPOSITE end, but doesn’t seem designed to be removed. The only two connection points seem to be where the two main rubber grommets sit. The whole reservoir also seems slightly larger than the original part. You can see everything in the pictures attached. It appears that it would work fine other than this issue, and I haven’t found any alternative part numbers that are different to this exact part. Here’s the link to it on FCP, where it says the part will fit:

Mercedes Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir - Genuine Mercedes 0004301102

Mercedes Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir - Genuine Mercedes 0004301102

www.fcpeuro.com

 

[gsxr]

EPC is showing a different p/n, 002-431-08-02.

Where did you see 000-430-11-02? I can't find that number in the EPC. Looks like it may fit other late 1990's / early 2000's models?

 

[Joncf]

EPC is showing a different p/n, 002-431-08-02.

Where did you see 000-430-11-02? I can't find that number in the EPC. Looks like it may fit other late 1990's / early 2000's models?


View attachment 156180

Correct, sorry I did mean 002-431-08-02.. but they are interchangeable. If you search for the part using either number on any parts site, you’ll get the same part. On Pelican Parts, they have the EPC-correct number listed for this exact reservoir, but lists the other one as an alternative “associated” number, as well as other part numbers, and FCP does as well:

Mercedes Brake Fluid Reservoir Genuine 002.431.08.02 0004301102 002-431-08-02 002 431 08 02 0024310802 | Pelican Parts

Genuine Brake Fluid Reservoir Call (310)626-8765. May Qualify For FREE SHIPPING. Parts# 0004301102 002 431 08 02 002-431-08-02 002.431.08.02 0024310802. SL500, SL320, S320, E500, E420, E320, 560SL, 560SEL, 560SEC, 500SL, 500E, 420SEL, 400E, 350SDL, 350SD, 300TE, 300SL, 300SEL, 300SE, 300SDL...

www.pelicanparts.com

 

[gsxr]

I would never trust aftermarket part catalogs claiming interchangeability. They might be correct, they might not. (Do you feel lucky?)

Have you tried contacting a dealership, not a parts vendor, to ask if 002-431-08-02 is still available from Mercedes?

Photos below are very different from the supposedly-interchangeable reservoir...

 

[Joncf]

I would never trust aftermarket part catalogs claiming interchangeability. They might be correct, they might not. (Do you feel lucky?)

Have you tried contacting a dealership, not a parts vendor, to ask if 002-431-08-02 is still available from Mercedes?

Photos below are very different from the supposedly-interchangeable reservoir...

I actually did initially order it directly from MB, from Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA - Official Online Parts Store | Mercedes-Benz Classic USA Parts Store. They canceled the order and told me that the part is no longer available. It’s odd because the EPC usually shows if there are supersessions, and what the new numbers are.

From what I’m reading elsewhere, this new one replaces the old one, and you have to cut the tip off of the protruding tube. This makes the reservoir compatible with many different models, since you can essentially modify it to accept the hose if need be.

 

[gsxr]

OK - now it is making sense. The EPC only shows a limited number of supercessions, typically very old ones.

If you find the reservoir does not work after cutting the tip off that tube and routing a new hose, you can tell the MB Classic Center they have a bad supercession in their system. Show them photos of both reservoirs. I'm hoping you can make the new one work, and there's no issue with the hose coming out of the opposite side vs the original.

 

[Joncf]

OK - now it is making sense. The EPC only shows a limited number of supercessions, typically very old ones.

If you find the reservoir does not work after cutting the tip off that tube and routing a new hose, you can tell the MB Classic Center they have a bad supercession in their system. Show them photos of both reservoirs. I'm hoping you can make the new one work, and there's no issue with the hose coming out of the opposite side vs the original.

Well I ended up ordering it from FCP, and I’m sure they’d let me return it if it doesn’t work. I’ll just get the new hose, try it out, and report back if there are issues. Thanks Dave!