Need a rear air brake can for 917 AF

[Joe917]

The rear left air brake chamber is leaking when the service brakes are applied, so there is an internal failure probably the diaphragm.
Right now I am in a truck shop in Colorado, the part is not available in North America. Mercedes no longer sells rebuild kits, only a complete can.
The problem is Mercedes Germany want 815 Eros for a new can!
Does anyone have a cheaper parts source in the UK or Germany for aftermarket or rebuilt parts?
1993 Mercedes Benz 917AF part# A0204209218

If I can't find something in the next day or two I will have to order direct from MB.

Thanks, Joe.

 

[loonwheeler]

Hi Joe,

While I don't have the part that you need - I am located in CO and would be willing to help if I can. Where in CO are you at now?

 

[Joe917]

Thank you. We are at Rob Pickering's excellent Unimog shop in La Junta so all is well. The issue is Mercedes charging 815 euros for a brake can. Unfortunately I will just have to suck it up and make the order.
Thanks again for the offer, Joe.

 

[loonwheeler]

Joe - sounds like you are in good hands with Rob. While you are there be sure to check out my U1300L camper getting the turbo installed. Should be close to finished!

I am just 2 hrs north west of you. If you need anything or are passing through - please let me know.

Cheers,

Logan

 

[nick disjunkt]

The rear chamber's are more susceptible to wear because they have an internal diaphragm that separates the parking brake and service brake components of the chamber. I had a similar problem whilst in Texas, I got someone in the UK to pick up a chamber that I'd paid for over the phone and they Fedexed it to us.

Do you have the part number? If you have the VIN, I can cross check the EPC when I get home.

I'm not sure if it's the same deal for your model but on mine, the brake chambers are standard Wabco parts and you can get the Wabco units considerably cheaper from generic parts suppliers. If you have the Mercedes part number, many online stores will cross reference with the non-merc part number so you can search elsewhere for it.

It's also worth remembering that Mercedes dealerships have distribution rights within their country for parts, and the domestic prices are considerably cheaper than the export prices you will get quoted by head office for the same parts. If you give me the part number I can check the UK price and send it to you if it saves money.

 

[Joe917]

Thanks for the advice Nick, we are pressed for time, we need to be back in Ottawa in two weeks. So we will bite the bullet and order from Mercedes.
Just out of interest are there any truck junkyards in the UK with MB trucks of this vintage? (1993)

 

[loonwheeler]

Did you end up getting the part in and installed? What's your status?

 

[nick disjunkt]

Thanks for the advice Nick, we are pressed for time, we need to be back in Ottawa in two weeks. So we will bite the bullet and order from Mercedes.
Just out of interest are there any truck junkyards in the UK with MB trucks of this vintage? (1993)

No problem. It's been a while since I used anything other than new parts, but I used to use a few scrappys when I had a smaller merc van.
Erith commercials might be able to help, although they mostly stock parts for newer Mercedes trucks.

Snows commercials do parts for all trucks, although they'll probably have more 90's vehicles than Erith.

Rush Green Motors mostly specialise in old British marks (AEC, Leyland, Bedford, etc) but they have a lot of old trucks. They're pretty old fashioned and I'm not sure how much luck you'll have getting them to send anything.