Last week, the brakes on my wife's 240 failed several times -- pedal to the floor with no effect. Clearly a master cylinder issue. Called the dealer -- they only want $749 for the PART! My mechanics is doing parts and labor for $449. I know Volvo is proud of their parts but good gollee! Chuck Fiedler Nothing but Volvo since 1974
I never buy any parts straight from Volvo unless I absolutely can't buy it elsewhere. Last time I did a master cylinder on a 240 I bought the part for under $100 from FCP Groton, installing it took about 10 minutes, bleeding the brake system to get all the air out took another hour since I wasn't at home and was using a crappy little jack and hand tools to take the wheels off.
From vlvworld.com Brake master cylinder, includes reservoir and cap, for 240 from 1992 to 1993 with ABS brakes 24092-93SC3530972 New $150.70 A master cylinder for my NON-ABS 89' is $100 & change Best Regards - Mike Baldwin
I rather suspect that I could have gotten the part cheaper than what it cost through my mechanic but couldn't wait for the part to be shipped.
Even the Indy price sounds a touch high. eeuroparts.com has the original ATE manufactured master cylinder for $160. Your shop needs to make a profit on the part, so they probably charged you $200-$250 for the part. The replacement including brake flush should be an under 1.5 hour job. I'm sure glad I do my own work! P.S. Were you having the brake fluid regularly changed out every few years? Volvo recommends it, but not many people get it done. I've yet to see a master cylinder failure in a vehicle which routinely gets fresh clean fluid.
Check online sources like eeuroparts.com, rockauto.com, and fcpgroton.com and you can do your own research.
