I LOVE working on my w123s

[Chad300tdt]

... everything about it.

Even when the job sucks and it seems like it will never end. A solution eventually shows itself and the taste of victory is great.

Every new "problem" offers a chance to learn something new and make the vehicle better. I just wish I could obtain parts faster.

That is all ... thank you for listening.

[79Mercy]

I fully agree!!!

[jt20]

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

I fully agree!!!

same here.

I just got the terrible news that my TD has some pretty crappy compression..

bummer, but its just in time for the summer and my 190D is on its way to be a DD.

should work out nicely.

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by jt20

same here.

I just got the terrible news that my TD has some pretty crappy compression..

bummer, but its just in time for the summer and my 190D is on its way to be a DD.

should work out nicely.

I hope you can get everything all worked out.

I know quite a few guys here work on their cars outside or along a street. I feel VERY lucky to have a garage space to do all my projects and even leave them there for months at a time if needed.

[panZZer]

I particularly liked your rear axle thread. one job I would never like to take on is a rear axle bearing job.

[atomix8]

Originally Posted by panZZer

I particularly liked your rear axle thread. one job I would never like to take on is a rear axle bearing job.

Just had to re-do that job last night... in my gravel driveway right before a thunderstorm.

Thanks to cheap Chinese axles, I have it down to under 2 hours

[tbomachines]

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I hope you can get everything all worked out.

I know quite a few guys here work on their cars outside or along a street. I feel VERY lucky to have a garage space to do all my projects and even leave them there for months at a time if needed.

Replacing a water pump on the street was an adventure to say the least. I haven't worked on a w123 but I share your feelings with my w126, it is SO nice to have a car that was meant to be repaired, designed hands-on (not completely in a computer) by real people. I don't even have the street anymore, just moved to an apt that strictly prohibits working on cars in the lot

[Jeremy5848]

Yeah, it's nice to have a car in which most parts can be taken apart and repaired, then returned to service.

[ImBroke]

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

every new "problem" offers a chance to learn something new

And, every problem causes a redneck to engineer something. Like today, when I put my hood pad on by myself. (Quote over-used phrase "Git R Done")

[MBeige]

These cars are persistently lovable machines, we just want to fix them up.

I wish I had my own garage, instead of living in an apartment complex. That way I don't have limitations when it comes to DIYing.

[martureo]

I love working on them, right up until I love working on them a little less.

The transmission job I just did while the car was only 19in off the ground was more masochist than anything else I've done so far. But my love for the car kept me working (and my father reminding me that his garage space was being taken up!)

[jt20]

Originally Posted by martureo

The transmission job I just did while the car was only 19in off the ground was more masochist than anything else I've done so far. But my love for the car kept me working (and my father reminding me that his garage space was being taken up!)

exactly.

we get close to these cars, we have to spend so much time with them. If they weren't so old and needy, we might not care as much.

[Chad300tdt]

I took my valve cover into my basement today to try and clean it up and make it look purdy.

I scrubbed it with Bar Keeper's Friend and a brass brillo pad first. Then rinsed it with water, wiped it and blew it dry with compressed air. The I used 0000 steel wool with a bit of Mother's mag polish and rubbed it in. I used a clean 0000 steel wool pad for final buffing and it looks awesome. I spent probably 2 hours, but I was able to do it while watching my kids.

Tomorrow I need to wrap up some things and install my new exhaust on the wagon. There's only so much I can do until my parts orders arrive. I have stuff coming Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

[69shovlhed]

good y'all love to work on these cars, cause somethin is always gonna be broken. and if nothings broke, wait 10 minutes and that'll change...
1 thing i must admit-- since i changed jobs to a service writer from a tech last month, it keeps me from giving up wrenching cold turkey.

[79Mercy]

Just this afternoon I had to unexpectedly rebuild my vacuum pump. Very simple job.