Repairs Just keep Coming!!

[Diesel240D]

Today I finally got the old gal running decent (1975 250D w115) and guess "what" as I was backing out I turned the steering sharply and BANG!! so I pulled over and discoverd all the bolts broken off on the power sterring pinion box any help would be appreciated on how to proceed on this repair.

Thanks

[Hatterasguy]

Yeah I hear thats pretty common on the W115. Try the vintage forum, I beleive there is a fix.

[300SDog]

Yep, the steering gear box fender well mounting bolts are stress/weak point on 114/115's. In the service manual it's recommended they be retorqued each 50k miles or so. There's list of nuts'n bolts (generally ignored by everybody) that need retorquing including subfame bushing mounts, another soft spot on yer 115.

You probly been driving around with one or two sheered bolts and wiggly steering box all this while. Aside from drilling out and helicoiling or tap'n dye new threads I dunno what else to tell ye. Betcha the sheetmetal's cracked too, bolts been known to pull straight through. So will need reinforcing plate when you git on with new bolts. Oughta handle the entire repair with steering box in the car.

(edit: Dunno what other problems you've had - But c'mon admit it, simplicity of the 115 as 30 yr old do-it-yerself project car is tough to beat. Overall and considering daily driver use value, ye wont lose a nickel on that vehicle and ye know it. Well maintained in decent shape and fully operative they start at about $2000. Probly be worth $3500 in another 5 yrs irregardless of mileage. Here's an impeccable low mile 114 250coupe thats fetchin a staggering $14,000 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Amazing-20-000-mile-1970-MB-250C-coupe-from-Hyman-Ltd_W0QQitemZ160160645509QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6329QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Diesel240D]

Originally Posted by DieselDog

Yep, the steering gear box fender well mounting bolts are stress/weak point on 114/115's. In the service manual it's recommended they be retorqued each 50k miles or so. There's list of nuts'n bolts (generally ignored by everybody) that need retorquing including subfame bushing mounts, another soft spot on yer 115.

You probly been driving around with one or two sheered bolts and wiggly steering box all this while. Aside from drilling out and helicoiling or tap'n dye new threads I dunno what else to tell ye. Betcha the sheetmetal's cracked too, bolts been known to pull straight through. So will need reinforcing plate when you git on with new bolts. Oughta handle the entire repair with steering box in the car.

(edit: Dunno what other problems you've had - But c'mon admit it, simplicity of the 115 as 30 yr old do-it-yerself project car is tough to beat. Overall and considering daily driver use value, ye wont lose a nickel on that vehicle and ye know it. Well maintained in decent shape and fully operative they start at about $2000. Probly be worth $3500 in another 5 yrs irregardless of mileage. Here's an impeccable low mile 114 250coupe thats fetchin a staggering $14,000 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Amazing-20-000-mile-1970-MB-250C-coupe-from-Hyman-Ltd_W0QQitemZ160160645509QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6329QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yeh! I love driving the old car. The bolts just broke off, I will take it to the bench and probably have to drill and retap the hole's. I will take the arm off first and see if there is any bolt stub sticking out to grab on to. The sheet metal is not cracked at all, it surprise me with all that force.I might weld a plate up in there to inforce the structure and replace with stainless steel bolts. These cars are just a basic car without all the junk attached to it.(simple to work on) Your right about the prices going up on these babys ,I love it.

Thanks DieselDog

[Diesel240D]

Boy!! you don't even want to take off the pinion stering box again, what a hel? of a job, I retapted the hole to 7/16 NF 14 and installed stainless steel bolts, this time I guarantee the fender will rip off before the steering pinion snaps any more bolts, thought I would share that with you guys

[t walgamuth]

Good job!

On a used car that old you are going to have a lot of deferred maintenance and other issues most likely.

Once you get it up to snuff, they are pretty reliable and shouldn't be so bad. The good thing is that they are extremely well designed and built, they are mechanic friendly, and all parts (ALL) are available.

Tom W