Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 03-14-2006, 07:33 AM
Lew Lew is offline
Lew
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Temple, Georgia
Posts: 52
Very Happy!

Well, I just finished my first tank of diesel and am, so far, well pleased with my W126. I netted 28 mpg mostly commuting to work, which is not highway!

I've discovered, unfortunately, that my tires need to be replaced. Ticks me off. The edges look great, which is honestly all I really looked at when I test drove it, but the centers are flat wore out - driven overinflated, I reckon. They're Dunlops with only 16k on them.

I'm also gonna have to rework the brakes. She pulls to the left firmly when I brake, sometimes worse than others, sometimes hardly at all.

Everything else on the car works like it's meant to. The tranny shifts just as I've read it should, the engine runs like a top, the AC is cold and the temp is constant, the antenna works, the sunroof and all the windows are smooth and quick ... it's awesome.

I'm getting new tires this week (205/65 on my 15" rims to help correct the speedo that's @5 mph slow - but my odometer seems to be spot on) and will then look into the brakes. Y'all have any recommendations on brake parts - where to buy, etc.?

__________________
1983 300SD, Silver/Blue, 230+K (rebuilt at 196K)
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 03-14-2006, 08:20 AM
R Leo's Avatar
Stella!
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: En te l'eau Rant
Posts: 5,393
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lew

I'm also gonna have to rework the brakes. She pulls to the left firmly when I brake, sometimes worse than others, sometimes hardly at all.
That may be a bad track rod bushing (AKA guide rod bushing) on the left side. They wear out and permit the lower control arm to move rearwards when braking. Depending on which side (usually both wear about the same) is shot, the steering could pull that direction during braking.

Here's some free searches:
Suspension clunk
Frontend parts
More parts
__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 03-14-2006, 08:46 AM
Lew Lew is offline
Lew
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Temple, Georgia
Posts: 52
I hadn't thought that it might be suspension related. I'll check out the links provided, thanks!
__________________
1983 300SD, Silver/Blue, 230+K (rebuilt at 196K)
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 03-14-2006, 05:49 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,609
if that is the problem

you prob would be hearing some clunking about when the brakes are applied. the sticking caliper is still the prime candidate in my book. ( if you arent hearing clunking).

tom w
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 03-16-2006, 07:39 AM
Lew Lew is offline
Lew
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Temple, Georgia
Posts: 52
Definately brakes

I got new shoes on the beast yesterday and, while the wheels were off, was able to give a cursory inspection to the brakes. The rears are fine. Front, however, needs a brake job. Very little pad left.

My second tank of diesel netted 28.4 mpg. I love it!

The new tires are awesome smooth and quiet. I put 205/65 on my 15" rims, which did correct my speedometer. According to my GPS, I'm no more than 2mph off at any given time.

I also got a bottle of liquid shoe polish in Navy Marine that re-dyed my blue leather seats perfectly. I coated the seats, heavily where it needed it, let it dry, then wiped/buffed them down with a conditioner, which smoothed it all out and removed any excess. I am thorougly impressed with the results. I wish I'd taken before and after pix. I figure for $3 per bottle, I can do this on a somewhat regular basis and keep those seats looking good.
__________________
1983 300SD, Silver/Blue, 230+K (rebuilt at 196K)
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 03-16-2006, 02:54 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bay area, California
Posts: 51
Welcome!

The SD is a great car.

Enjoy the ride!

Tom
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 03-16-2006, 03:34 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 326
Welcome!

Cool swap... what trans did you use behind the 1.6L? The Zuk divorced transfer case is ideal for a swap.

Check out the SD-33T I swapped into my Jeep:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/676309

__________________
1986 190D, 2.5L, 5-speed swap, 180,000 Miles (60K by me).
Jeep CJ-7 with Cummins 4BT/NV4500/AtlastII 4.3.
Grand Wagoneer 4BT project in progress!
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 03-17-2006, 07:37 AM
Lew Lew is offline
Lew
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Temple, Georgia
Posts: 52
The Samurai tranny remained in the truck. I needed lower gearing, though, and so swapped the t-case for an older pre-Samurai t-case (same case, different gears) that simply woke everything up. It is, indeed, an awesome little truck. I hated to sell it, but love my Mercedes. That Jeep of yours is awesome. I remember back when I was a kid I saw a guy with a cummins-powered CJ and thought to myself that it was the ultimate vehicle, and so later built up my Zuk the way I wanted it to be. Then I got older (notice - "got older," not "grew up"), and this old Mercedes is suiting me just fine.
__________________
1983 300SD, Silver/Blue, 230+K (rebuilt at 196K)

Last edited by Lew; 03-17-2006 at 07:43 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 03-27-2006, 07:40 AM
Lew Lew is offline
Lew
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Temple, Georgia
Posts: 52
Did some maintenance ...

I pulled my ALDA bolt yesterday and found it 80% clogged. I cleaned it up real good with brake cleaner and cleaned out the line and banjo fitting. Noticeable improvement!

I also changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. The records I have show 20w50 being put in this engine (OM617), which I thought was too heavy. I put Delo 400 15w40 in it and immediately noticed a dramatic difference in pickup and power. Cold starts are noticeably smoother (before, it'd "hitch" ever so slightly ... now it just purrs). I must admit that this was the least traumatic oil change I've ever done in my life! I truly admire and appreciate the oil filter design - open the lid, pull out the old filter, put a new one in, then replace the lid. Ingenious! And the same socket that gets that lid loose also fits the drain plug! AMEN!

Next up is some brake work. I'm pulling to the left when braking heavy and the right front pads are worn considerably more than the driver's side, which to me indicates the need for caliper work. Any recommendations; replace or rebuild?

After that, the tranny will be up for service. Has anyone here ever run Auto-RX in the tranny to clean it before servicing?
__________________
1983 300SD, Silver/Blue, 230+K (rebuilt at 196K)
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 03-27-2006, 08:18 AM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lew
Next up is some brake work. I'm pulling to the left when braking heavy and the right front pads are worn considerably more than the driver's side, which to me indicates the need for caliper work. Any recommendations; replace or rebuild?

I've done it both ways. If you rebuild them yourself, you'll need a bit of patience in getting everything thoroughly clean. Additionally, you'll have to rig up something to get the pistons out. Once one piston leaves the cylinder, you can't get the second one out without sealing that open hole.

Additionally, you've got binding in one.......or both......pistons on the left side. This may required you to use the hydraulic system on the vehicle to remove the piston(s). Compressed air won't be strong enough in some cases.

Then, you have the consideration, after doing all the work to remove the pistons, the cylinder or, more importantly, the piston, won't clean up perfectly. The piston must be perfectly clean bright chrome without any corrosion whatsoever or you'll get a leak. The cylinder needs to be very clean without any raised metal, but it does not have to be perfect.

Sometimes you have to spend an hour to polish the rust on the caliper that is outside of the piston seal and underneath the dust boot. You only have .001" clearance per side. Any slight bit of corrosion will raise the metal and prevent installation of the piston.

So.......what's your time worth.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 03-27-2006, 01:29 PM
whunter's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 17,416
Answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lew
Has anyone here ever run Auto-RX in the tranny to clean it before servicing?
Diesel Oil Thread!!!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/110168-oil-related-topics-%3D-oil-thread-post1098555.html#post1098555
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 03-27-2006, 10:04 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Or insted of going through what Brian said you could just run down to Autozone and get a set of rebuilt calipers with a lifetime warranty. Throw in some new brake hoses and DOT4 fluid and in a couple of hours your done.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page