When the DIY calls for Locktight, USE IT! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SGT John · #1 05-20-2011, 09:43 PM

I just rebuilt my entire front end over the course of about a months worth of weekends (and a few late weeknights)

Well.... as the title states: USE LOC TIGHT! I skipped that step because I didn't have any, planned on coming back to it later.. Never tightened everything up after driving a few miles. FORGOT.

Now I have a car that turns right when I press the brakes. The bolt that threads into the sway bar, and the bushing it holds in place on the UCA are gone...

best pic I have right now. I'd offer to post better ones, but I will surely forget.

dude99 · #2 05-20-2011, 09:56 PM

Holy crap! yeah if that pic isn't a warning I don't know what is..

SGT John · #3 05-20-2011, 09:59 PM

I'm ashamed to say I drove it about 29 miles in that condition... On the expressway.

panamacolin · #4 05-20-2011, 10:06 PM

THat could have been bad. Glad it all worked out.

1980sd · #5 05-21-2011, 03:55 PM

Props for fessing up to the world on this one. Good idea to stay systematic and make sure everything checks out before driving.

The other day I had my wheels off and later, when riding around, I got an urge to make sure I'd remembered to tighten the lugs

They were OK but it didn't hurt to check.

JohnM. · #6 05-21-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1980sd

The other day I had my wheels off and later, when riding around, I got an urge to make sure I'd remembered to tighten the lugs

I hate that feeling.

leathermang · #7 05-21-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1980sd

....The other day I had my wheels off and later, when riding around, I got an urge to make sure I'd remembered to tighten the lugs

...

The first signs of OCD......

JohnM. · #8 05-21-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

The first signs of OCD......

I'd rather have a little OCD than my wheel rolling past me on the freeway. When I'm openeing and closing doors 3 times, then we can talk OCD.

leathermang · #9 05-21-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM.

... When I'm opening and closing doors 3 times, then we can talk OCD.

I am already doing that... I think it can be fixed by putting a new rubber damper in.. There are threads in the archives on how to do that... also keeps reduces wear on the door hinges.... LOL

1980sd · #10 05-21-2011, 04:59 PM

I think working on my ACCII has driven me insane...

toomany MBZ · #11 05-22-2011, 04:00 PM

Glad things turned out to be only a lost bolt.

As I recall, there isn't lock-tite on that bolt, just properly torqued, that seems to be the issue.

In here is the pdf from the service manual.
Torque Specs - SK - '82 W126 300SD

vstech · #12 05-22-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1980sd

Props for fessing up to the world on this one. Good idea to stay systematic and make sure everything checks out before driving.

The other day I had my wheels off and later, when riding around, I got an urge to make sure I'd remembered to tighten the lugs

They were OK but it didn't hurt to check.

I often retorque lugs after I've completed a rotation or brake job.
I've never had a wheel come off, but I've seen plenty of cars that it's happened to.

SGT John · #13 12-10-2011, 12:23 PM

So some of my friends may remember this thread... As it turned out, my nightmare wasn't over. Once I got the car pieced back together, I drove it for about a week with a strange "clunk" that I just couldn't track down... well I finally found the source of the clunk.

A bolt vibrated out on the expressway... I slowed down, pulled off, checked out everything I could... Couldn't find the bolt on the side of the road and couldn't find it's source. Still had the clunk at this time, any time I hit a bump OR pressed my brakes. I figure maybe I ran over something and kicked it up....

I get home and try to back into my driveway, and the front tires seem to lock up... forward, fine.. reverse.. locks up. I am able to get my face all the way under the car and behind the wheel, and see that one of the bolts from the brake caliper is gone and it's rocking back and forth on the single bolt... FML!

So I let the registration lapse, parked it in my back yard, took it off my insurance. I finally have enough down time to work on it, and I can't find the stinking bolt anywhere... Not even Fastenal!

toomany MBZ · #14 12-10-2011, 02:03 PM

Those bolts do have loc-tite on 'em, click on the Buy Parts above.

jonbobshinigin · #15 12-10-2011, 09:14 PM

Get me a pic of the bolt/location and I will find one on my parts car and mail it to you!