redneck improvisation on rear wagon brakes... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Silber Adler · #16 11-20-2012, 01:20 PM

One of the things that makes vehicles unrepairable nearly is the special molded rubber parts. I would have thought that the throttle control rod would have the mount put on solidly to the firewall. I had the rod out last weekend and didn't notice that the mount was on rubber.

For times like these, it behooves us to have a second vehicle.

Thanks for both stories.

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Always keep a coat hanger in the trunk along with some tools.

Last Sept I drove over to Carson City, Nv. in the 240 to my Moms to spend the night and then get her to the Reno air port the next morning for a flight to Kansas City. I didn`t want her driving the 30 miles to Reno and trying to park the car for a week and get to her plane. she is 91.

I noticed when got to her house there seemed to be someting different in the way the engine was responding. not bad but something. checked everything under the hood the next morning and off we went. I noticed I had to give it more peddle to keep the same speed by the time I got to Reno.

I leave the Air Port and hit 395 and then onto I-80 back to Calif. notice every slight upgrade she was a little slower but the flats she ran good. figured it was a fuel filter. get up past Verdi, Boom Town (Casino) and the new Cabelas and from here the Hwy start to climb going up over the Sierra`s.

Finally Iam shifting down to 3rd where I should pull the hill in 4th, and one hill suddenly Iam down to 2nd. HMMM..... pull over and check under the hood, notice the rubber vibration dampner on the horizonal shaft from the firewall to the manual shutoff lever is about ripped off.

It is vulcanised to 2 pieces of metal, and after 31 yrs has given up the ghost. Iam just about to the Truckee Scales so limp up the shoulder and get in line with the big rigs until I can get to the parking lot.

Did a McGiver fix it with the Coat hanger, bending some pieces to hold it together. worked good with full power again, and made it home.

I still need to order the Dealer part, but have replaced the wire with Zip tie`s which hold it tighter. I now keep Zip Tie`s in the trunk too.

Coat Hangers are right up there with Bailing Wire and Duct Tape and even Barb Wire.

Read some other uses on another form.
Bailing Wire - The Stovebolt Forums

Charlie

Whiskeydan · #17 06-06-2013, 11:52 PM

Last year I pulled the window regulator from the rear of a W126. The window worked fine but was very noisy. What I found was a fancy looking pretzel shaped coat hanger wound up to replace the nylon sliding jaw. I was shocked that it had worked so well for so long.

You ever work on a left rear W126 window regulator???

vstech · #18 06-07-2013, 12:04 AM

Maybe... ya got pics?

I do like me some coat hangers...

vstech · #19 06-07-2013, 12:04 AM

Maybe we can start posting repairs done ONLY with coat hangers...

Stretch · #20 06-07-2013, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Maybe we can start posting repairs done ONLY with coat hangers...

...especially if anyone has managed to fix rust holes with them...

t walgamuth · #21 06-07-2013, 07:04 AM

No, you use license plates for rust holes.

BenzDieselTuner · #22 06-07-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Maybe we can start posting repairs done ONLY with coat hangers...

now that would be slick !

Simpler=Better · #23 06-07-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Maybe we can start posting repairs done ONLY with coat hangers...

I'm going to win this contest so easily it's not even funny. We called it the danger ranger for a reason.

My favorite exchanges when I got it inspected:

"You can't do that! You can't braze brake lines!" Really? The home made 3/8" & 3/4" spring perch is MUCH stronger than the stock 3/16 stamped POS. The sleeved & brazed section of brake line (from 3/16"->1/4") was absolutely stronger than any other section of single-walled brake tubing on the truck. I got there didn't I?

The oak cab mounts? Yeah they ride rougher than the stock rubber ones, but something is better than nothing.

Yes my battery/starter/alternator cables are cut up jumper cables. Yes it's safe, they're 2ga and I soldered the ends. Yes I made the end lugs from copper water pipe.

On topic, the exhaust was welded using an acetylene torch and the coat hangers were the filler rod

daw_two · #24 06-07-2013, 10:20 AM

The electric vacuum pump on my 2000 Dodge Dakota 4BT Cummins is anchored in place with coat hangers. It does have a "bracket" to support the weight, but welding it isn't an option.

Whiskeydan · #25 06-07-2013, 10:29 AM

The coat hanger found its way into auto repairs long ago as a replacement antenna mast.

It has come a long ways...

macdoe · #26 06-07-2013, 02:13 PM

Is this rear vented rotor upgrade being done to a w123 car?

weird beard · #27 06-08-2013, 03:35 AM

I think the phrase to describe coat hanger repairs is semi-temporarily-permanent.

I would have cut replacement pads out of wood. You could have also tried gluing a charcoal bricket to the old pads.

Stretch · #28 06-08-2013, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weird beard

...
I would have cut replacement pads out of wood. You could have also tried gluing a charcoal bricket to the old pads.

SMOKING!

layback40 · #29 06-08-2013, 05:08 AM

coat hangers are just a city version of farm fence wire.
My trailer wheel hub castilated nuts have a piece of fence wire instead of a split pin. Its a Sunday repair thing.
Have towed many cars with a length of fence wire. Link a dozen coat hangers together & do the same.
A set of wire strainers & some fence wire ~ a poor mans winch. Have used them a couple of times to get the cars out when stuck in mud.
Every one knows a coat hanger is good for unlocking a locked car when the keys are in it.
Coat hanger wire is fine when you dont have hose clamps.
Good for when you dont have a safety chain for your trailer.
Their uses are endless !!