*1987 300SDL 280k miles* I have been working on repairing my new to me 1987 300SDL. So far here is what I have done:
Timing chain Vacuum pump fixed minor fuel leaks I am now finishing up the front suspension, basically I am replacing everything upper and lower ball joints, tie rods, shocks, etc. As I was doing the the upper control arm (ball joint) I noticed rust under battery and welded a new piece of steel in hole but everything is going well. I really love POR-15! After I get the suspension fixed I will fix transmission leaks and replace motor mounts and then move to other items including: Install electric seat heaters fix tachometer and odometer (does anyone know which gears are used on the 300SDL? www.odometergears.com) replace bad vacuum servos for heater, once I figure out which ones are bad. order plastic pieces for seats and possible new seat covers. Basically I figure the 300SDL will be my daily driver for next 5-10 years, thus I want to get everything fixed like new such that I just need to keep oil changed. Basically a driver restoration project. Note this is around the 4th W126 I have rebuilt the front suspension on thus if anyone has questions about how to do it let me know. Basically the hardest part is pressing in the new ball joints and having spring compressor to replace rubber bushings for lower control arm. I have also figured out the easy way to replace bushings in the bearing bracket that only requires a bench vise and a cheap C-clamp ball joint press. Note I will have spent more in parts for this car than the price of the car... *1988 420SEL 247k miles* I replaced the fuel distributor (rebuilt one $400) and it seems to be doing good except I need to adjust the mixture a bit better. This car has had a constant problem with a clunk coming from rear end when shifting gears. I have replaced just about everything and have not found problem, has anyone ever experienced this? Note it sounds like the differential is jumping around, however I have replaced the mounts as well as drive shaft center bearing mount. Need to order new headlight bezels from Rusty and get new coat of paint. *1991 560SEL 147k miles* This one is suppose to be sold for $6k to friend of my wife, we will see. The girl getting the car has been driving it for 4 months waiting for some money deal to happen. Basically the only problems with this car are valve guides loose in head, chip on the wood for the ash tray, and a hole in the carpet near threshold on driver's side. I would fix valve guides but I do not have the drill guide for heli-coiling head. Maybe I should add this to my wish list of tools. Once I complete the 300SDL my next project will be doing some remodeling to house to make wife happy then I plan on picking up my 1960 300d from my parents barn and start that restoration project. Also my parents have a couple of 560SEL that are in need of their 20 year service. By the way did anyone see a 1987 gold 420SEL on ebay a few weeks back with 38k miles? My mom ended up buying the car, and it really was garage kept and has only 38k. Of course it is an ugly color gold with brown interior. Also does anyone know of a good way to repair cracks in vinyl dashes? Years ago I saw a guy do it with something like bondo and wrinkle paint but I have not found the wrinkle paint and figured someone here might know. Trampas -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20090105/661c2652/attachment.html> _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
