battery tray rust ('78 240D) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ted_brah · #1 02-11-2007, 12:50 AM

i don't know the first thing about welding, but know where the rain water is coming from. the hole in the upper left of the tray goes through to the interior........

how screwed am i?

JDmills · #2 06-12-2007, 07:00 PM

I have the same problem on my hands... so don't fret you are not alone.

the big problem is that it is in a tight spot, and will be difficult to weld in new metal... also the rust may have worked it's way down behind the plastic piece that is bolted to the inside of the fender just behind the tire.. or at least that is my issue as well.. I am just now doing reasearch, and wondering how to go about this repair.. or scrap the car..?

Is there good news? yeah, I dont think it is a structural area, so you are ok in that respect, but it will continue to travel until you stop it some how..

Ramblin · #3 07-01-2007, 08:10 AM

Check out the repair that applies here..It includes cutting out of the rusty metal and welding in of new metal and primed with Zinc primer and final paint with original color and urethane seam sealer.

JDmills · #4 07-06-2007, 08:15 PM

Nice work Ramblin,

Tell me a little about how you shaped the replacement metal? What gage was it, and is there anything you know now that you learned as a result of the restification process.

I am inspired by your picture of the finished product, and hope to tackle the rust issue on my 240 at some point.

Oh Yeah Ted, I bet you could do attack your problem a couple of ways. if you REALLY don't want to pick up a welder, then may be fiberglass would stop the leak for a while... I have considered it, but have decided that I would not be happy in the long run. Welding is not all that hard to do, if you are a little adventureous... just working up to the project is what takes me the most mental effort.

Jason