Great posts, thanks for taking the time I may get some inspiration from them. By the way I have always heard that at 110 degrees in AZ is not bad due to the fact it is a dry heat

Not a problem! Its something that needs to be done and well it doesn't cost anything to post photos to show all the seals and bushing that mercedes opted to stick in the oddest places

Ha I wish! It was so hot here that it melted the fire sprinkler sensor on the roof of my doctors office and flooded the place the weekend before last. I was just telling my buddy....that at least in other places when the sun goes down it cools off....last night at midnight it was 97 degrees out...what the??

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Nice writeup Jason ! .

It's an often missed thing you did : cleaning out every bit of the 30 year old rock hard grease before re greasing and assembling .

I've lived in third world *****holes , Centro - America and some pretty grim parts of America too , you're doing o.K. I think .

No shade ? those canvas canopy things are routinely tossed out when the $100 tarp goes bad , I need to replace mine ASAP , I have the new cover , just need some extra hands .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Thanks!

Yes! I wish more people would do this!!! I did this to my sunroof and motor in the 78 and euro too...

I believe that a lot of these bushings go bad because of the girt(sand/dirt) that gets trapped into the grease and thus acts like sandpaper...

I learned about old grease and what happens when I would rebuild phonograph motors...what is it like a 60 foot spring covered in 100+ year old grease....oh those are fun moments...

I think me cleaning the grease and I see even mr whunter did advocate it Is why I am having issues with the shifter "assuming" its not working as everyone states that the shifter needs to be lifted up to go into reverse...well all the bushing are new/good...new grease and I don't have to pull up on the shifter..in fact I can't even pull up on the shifter any more.

Well I do have shade about 5 over the cars but the heat just never goes away...I have misters on the porch so when I get really sick of the heat, exhausted and tired of files I can just sit on the couch on the porch....hide behind the plants as I don't prefer to be a tour guide and enjoy the drop of temperature...

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I understand ~ I traveled Az. extensively when I was young and skinny , then for a few years I had a Lady friend who moved to Scottsdale , every Father's Day I'd rattle on out there to visit her for a week in my old 1968 VW Typ II Panel Truck , talk about HOT ! boy howdy .

I'd hit all the local Junk Yards and pick through the bits & bobs , swearing every time i'd never do it again..... .

Work carefully and remain hydrated , I usually try to find and old box fan and remove the plastic guards so it blows more air much quieter .

You used synthetic grease there , correct ? .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

^^ hmmm I never thought of bringing out a box fan for extra cool....but now I just gave another moments though to it....it would kick up all the dust/sand and get it everywhere...its like working in the middle east....more then once I have started a project in perfect weather just to be dumped on by a sand storm..

I think it is synthetic....have to read over it again...all I know is I was looking for a good bearing grease for my alternator rebuild...and this was on clearance from like 15$ to 1$ at walfart because it was dented...so it was an easy choice :p

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Well I can now say I am shifting again! My advice follow the diagram while assemble and do not keep second guessing your self while isn't it locking...well because num whit the shifter wasn't locking it was binding up....now that its clean, greased and new bushings...its gliding...



So I put it in the car with the shifter still seem odd not locking in gear....well it needs the transmission to lock the gear and then the shifter holds the gear position.....



Amazing what happens when someone "assumes" this shifting is normal...and is unfamiliar what a shifter feels like from the factory...well after being familiar on how the shifter is designed to work. I am having a nightmare getting the shifter into 2nd and why is the shifter going into a gear below R...confused because I followed a diagram that google pulled up from msourceee...well that diagram reversed my R and 1-2 linkage....Thankfully I snapped a photo of mine pre removal....and was able to figure out the position of the linkage....well now the shifter glides very nicely...it holds gears alot easier and seems to be function better. I still expected more improvement or some thing odd but I am sure I added some lives onto the lifespan of the transmission....suppose after some use and breaking it...the shifting may improve more...



Here are linkage bushings pre...nothing...and new ones installed...you can also see the holes are more oblong...tells me next time this needs work I will need to buy a new shifter, linkage ends, bushings, clips and seal....



I was hoping to get a better photo of the carrier bearing but I left my flashlight down stairs...it was 107 out and I just wanted to go die in a tub of water....I also popped out the turn signal relay...I was ponder popping in a few newer capacitors...also needs cleaning...will see..



If there is a bearing in there I can't turn it...I will just order it when I have the funds....and climb back under....I also want to fix the tears/cuts/missing undercoating...

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The shift detents in manual transmissions are inside the tranny ~ those few shifters that have detents , also have very notchy shifting , not good for a sporty car like any Mercedes ever built .

Glad to see you're making progress .

The drive shaft center support isn't supposed to turn , only the drive shaft turns within it .

Try lifting / shoving side ways , the drive shaft when the wheels are off the ground , park brake released and tranny in neutral so the shaft turns easily by hand ~ if you can feel any play in any direction , it's bad , any driveline shop can fix it easily and cheaply , under $150 if you carry it in .

Remember to SAFELY JACK UP AND BLOCK the car for this test ! .

The box fan , if set on a milk crate and turned to the low or medium speed , will replicate a gentle natural breeze , drying your sweat and not kicking up andy dust whatsoever .

I work on a narrow concrete slab next to a dusty dirt yard with two *very* active dogs in it and I don't get any more dust that normally collects .

One must be 8very8 careful when working in the heat ~ sun or shade , hydrate well and stop frequently to rest as necessary .

Thrift Stores usually have loads of old towels and cotton clothing that's not good enough to sell, ask the manager is he'd be willing to sell it to you by the bag full .

Many Thrift Stores have disabled or impaired people who'll like to be made useful by running old clothes through the wash before bagging for resale to you and shops etc......

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

hehe I actually noticed that after I got it all put back together...talking to myself hmmm this actually is shifting like a mercedes and not a Suzuki

Yeah that is what I know, I was grabbing what was left of the center support that was left on the drive line...I was attempting to see if the bearing was still good that is inside the support...but it wouldn't turn....so I am assuming the bearing is froze......of course I really don't know what is and isn't bad till it is removed and on the bench....I am just attempting to order all the parts I need so once its apart I don't have to wait another week for parts...

I would love to just take it into a driveline shop and have it fully serviced...but I really want to say there isn't one in this town...nor one I would trust with a euro 4speed 300D driveline....I could just see myself going mad hunting down another because the shop "accidentally" scrapped this old drive line

Agreed! I want to say but it may not be truthful that I won't be outside working in triple digit weather again...I just now how these cars are, I know in my bones one of these 2$ bushings would have killed the transmission...

Oh thrift stores! I know them all to well, if you would like some of my stories, I am always happy to tell. I am what is now labeled as a "picker" and my spots are thrift stores...I moved to this town and attempted what I did in California...you know one mans junk is another treasure? I have the ability to find things homes...no matter the condition...plus I get compensated and can save more stuff.....well here that gift is considered unholly...

So believe it or not.....I drive 300 miles round trip to buy my towels from thrift stores that actually appreciate people like me whom can recycle stuff they can't sell...

Oh and you don't even want to know how the goodwill takes advantage of disabled citizens....

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Jason ;

I love forums because I always learn so much ~ often when a thread meanders all over the place .

Your stories I know I'd love , share 'em here , it's YOUR THREAD , the whiners , trolls and malcontents can always click off .

I grew up in Rural New England and when I discovered I could buy PERFECTLY GOOD clothing @ Goodwill for .35 CENTS each , I was gobsmacked .

I too prefer to repurpose things , this is why I live in a Junk Yard more or lee , I always have more old parts than I can use and no one ever wants them (want a FREE Muncie SM465 truck transmission ? been trying to give it away for several YEARS now) .

Back on topic : the bearing shouldn't be able to be moved unless the driveshaft also turns at the same time .

Somewhere is a competent driveline shop near you ~ too many old trucks and commerical rigs in Az. not to be this way , just ask and keep asking , someone will know .

Maybe a Hot Rodder or Low Rider as both chew up center supports worse than ice trucks .

Lots of Churches on ' the other side of the R.R. tracks ' will have clothes from old clothing drives.......

When it comes to rags , you cannot possibly have too many , don't keep the oily ones around unless you score an old air tight rag bucket ~ amazinkly those are tossed out /abandoned often , usually filthy and stuffed full of bearing greasy rags ~ toss the rags & clean the bucket , they work great and it's handy to have a few not totally ruined rags for oil spills....

FIRE WARNING ! old oily/greasy/gasoline soaked rags can and do spontaneously combust
After just sitting there for years.....

Not a pretty thing , trust me here .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Well I said I wouldn't be coming back on here but I miss updating my thread...So I will start back slowly, I really doubt I will be as active as what I once was as the stress from attempt to help people isn't worth it and as I say I can only help those who want to help themselves....

In the meantime people are more then welcomed to reach out to me for help, as I have a little click going that I help and believe it or not by physical means!

So the shifter rebuild helped shifting a great deal but I was still getting grinding and I just am not ready to replace the clutch. So I opted to work on the hydraulic side of the shifting, I had already replace the slave cylinder some years ago but never looked into the master cylinder and now it was time. I was going to order a rebuild kit but as it is not well known european model mercedes 300D's have many odd ball parts that aren't seen on US spec cars. Some parts can interchange from the 240 series but knowing what parts your euro 300D are equipped with is a huge scratchier.

I got a nice large bottle of Dot 4 brake fluid and a good ol oil can and then started my fact finding mission...

Turns out my idea of age effecting cars more then mileage is true...well at least on my completely different then the rest of the model line up of w123's...

The brake fluid was a black as can be...



The only thing wrong with the cylinder was a large build up of varnish and gunk which blocked the flow of fluid, I back flushed the slave before I reconnect the master and then I flushed it even more as I was bleeding the system.




More info on my site....

So now that I am going into reverse much more smoothly, it is time to work on getting the car ready to tow! Again on my odd ball theory that these cars suffer more from age then from mileage I opted to start working on all these oddly mystery to the universe failed parts.....

Despite the neglect history of this car, it has an amazingly strong motor in it, there is no blow by, no oil consumption, great mpg and tons of power...Must be doing something right? Well I want to keep it this way for the next thirty years, regardless of the mileage stated on the failed odometer!

The project line up for the car, which will hopefully start in the next few weeks is: Replace the front main seal, the one behind the pulley that I stated decided to fail. Rebuilding the power steering pump, horrible leak throwing fluid on everything from the front seal. Replacing the drive shaft center support/Carrier bearing. Replacing radiator hoses, odd these are suppose to be replaced every five years and I am contemplating replacing my standard heater hose with the factory ones but one is 33.24! damn euro . Rebuilding the exhaust hanger, one off the transmission. De-greasing the engine and chassis as best I can and repairing undercoating.

I am slowly getting all the tools n parts gathered, amazing how many little parts you need, tools and well special mercedes bolts. But one must look at the long run its probably going to cost me 5% of what a shop would charge and I know its done right!




Yes that is a Curt trailer hitch with a 2" ball! Also that is a genuine NOS carrier bearing from Mercedes! I will add another summery on here but when I start the work I will add it to my site link in photo and signature....I am really busy organizing my life from the past three years here, busy donating stuff and selling stuff off. Kinda getting ready for the big move and start of my new life. I can't wait for all all the good people I will be able to bring together and I thank all the members who have been there for me and who are still there! They know who they are......

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Good to see those greasy fingers again. The only problem I have is the name of your web site Vintage-Affair.com. My rocket scientist wife would think I was on the prowl at a set up an affair site like Ashley Madison.

Good to see you're making headway Jason .

I wasn't aware you'd said you were leaving , I hope not as Hands - On reports help everyone , the newbies most of all .

FWIW , age is always the most important thing , I've been resurrecting old forgotten vehicles and machinery for 50 + years now , I find that most often a well engineered and built thing , no matter what it is , always works better after disasembly , cleaning , re assembly , lubrication and adjustment .

In brakes and hydraulic clutches, remember : only brake fluid , brake cleaner or alcohol may be used ~ NONE of the other cleaners you show there may touch anything .

You're supposed to bleed out any hydraulic system every two years , no one ever bothers to do this , I try to flush and bleed my brakes any time I notice the fluid going dark .

Keep us posted please , I come here to read old Mercedes fixup , I don't do facebok etc.

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Agreed! That other stuff is to attempt to remove the 30 years of crap off the engine, I hope that the oil has soften up all those decades of gunk...but that is wishful thinking....

There is a bottle of brake cleaner in there as well, that is for the power steering pump...It and carb cleaner are the only things I feel safe with, when cleaning internal parts but boy that stuff has gotten pricey...I miss the 99cent cans of carb cleaner one could get 5 years ago..

Oh and before someone complains about the degreaser, I don't feel safe using purple power that so many rave about...I have seen people soak parts in it....just to come back 5 minutes later and find it disappeared!

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Welcome back!

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[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.