I've read a few times where people have remarked that the original paint/primer on their w123s were pretty tough but I hadn't experienced it until today.

I pulled the subframe from my wife's "new" wagon to replace the bushings, springs, half shaft boots. I used the method shown on here awhile back of unbolting the subframe bolts and the differential mount to "roll" everything out. After I removed all the bushings and rubber bits I went a little crazy and wire brushed the entire subframe and the trailing arms down to the metal.

I just have to say DANG that stuff would not come off! I have only a little history of the car and I know from a previous set of service records and a purchase receipt that it's lived in Southern Virginia several times. So I was surprised that I only found a few quarter size spots of surface rust on the subframe and trailing arms.

Whatever MB put on subframe parts back in the day really works!

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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


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