After the TD got bit by Bambi in November, I found a 300TE in Warrenton,
VA, and bought it (unseen) to use either as parts or to fix and use. It
took almost 2 months to get it shipped here, and then i didn't get started
on it right away. It was sold as "bad Transmission" It looked too good
to junk. That is always my downfall.
Early testing showed the trans to function normally, but the rear
suspension had no fluid and the rear tires were for through the belts on
the inside. I rebuilt the tandem hydraulic pump, put new rear hydraulic
shocks on it. $50 worth of the special hydraulic fluid from Rusty, so
far. Then I could not get the flare nuts on the hydraulic tube to break
loose, so I waited 2 weeks to get new lines in. This morning I thought I
would just stick the lines in, and go. WRONG! I had to take the shocks
loose, and remove the rear springs to get the lines in place. Then I
replaced the window regulator on the drivers door. Those are tricky to get
everything in place and keep the glass in the front channel.
Sounds a lot easier so far than it really was! It also had to have a new
coil and battery. The bozo that hauled it left the switch on for the 10
days or so until it got here. That ruined the coil and then the battery.
The bendix was rusted to the starter shaft. That was the first
problem. After I ordered a new starter, I got the old one apart apart,
freed the bendix, polished the shaft and coated it with neverseize. I had
it running before the starter got in, so I sent the starter back. I also
had to put 2 new tires on it, and painted all 4 wheels.
I drove it the last 200 miles home tonight. It runs well and handles
good, but I don't think it is completely right. This week It will have the
LR wheel bearing changed.... a real bear! I will see what that, an
alignment and changing the idler arm bushings does for handling. The
engine is like all the MB 6cyl gassers I have been around, very quiet and
super smooth. Probably got around 22 mpg driving about 70.
Once again, a cheap MB has become a pit to throw time and money into. But,
it has the makings of a nice wagon. The finish on the wood does not have a
crack. I am guessing someone spent the big bucks to get it refinished.
the harnesses for the hatch have been screwed up, and have been laying
across the seal, which of course, does not seal now. On the positive, the
hatch stays up! Bother hatch pressure struts must be working! It is the
first MB wagon I have gotten that has working hatch struts.
Rusty is smiling! I've ordered more parts $$ in the last month than
probably the last year! I think a "blown" trans mission would have been a
lot faster and cheaper to fix, than the suspension and all the other
stuff. I have sunk a lot of time, and have not started on the cosmetic
stuff. If anyone has blue interior parts for a 124, I need a speaker cover
for the LR door, and the door handle for the RR door.
CHeers!
Loren
87 TD
88 TE
2 of a kind, white/blue
and others
