The most terrifying repair you've ever done?

[JamesDean]

Springs terrify me.. Even with the proper tool. Years ago we did my the 300SE with rented tools that were subpar for the job...Not a chance today..

[jusme]

Yeah, I bought the special tool, and still havent had the balls to use it, still sitting in the case. I tried once, but chickened out halfway through compressing the spring. And when a shop quoted me $35 per side to replace my LCA bushings, I figured that wasnt worth my time to bother with it for $70 for both sides.

[Zulfiqar]

@jamesdean

what brand struts are those? and how are they performing?

[Junkman]

Head on a Datsun B210. I was broke, living in the country with no way into town if I needed a part. Phone was turned off because I was in school and beer was more important than a phone.

[JamesDean]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

@jamesdean

what brand struts are those? and how are they performing?

They're KYB's.. I've only had this car for a week now, haven't really driven it anywhere as I gotta do the title and registration tomorrow and one of the coil springs is broken (hence the spring compressor and springs). The ride on the way home from Columbus was comfortable.

I've always used Bilstein's so this is new/different.

Its a huge step up from my 190E. Its lowered and I do think I need new front shocks so the ride is pretty rough.

ALSO:
I bought single nub and double nub spring pads..turns out it was the singles. So if anyone needs a pair of doubles... PM me.

[Can't Know]

I have never liked coil springs either. Our HS autoshop had a patch in the block wall where one had broken free of a compressor and poked a hole before bouncing around and damaging some other stuff before finally coming to rest. Luckily there was no one in the way.

Scariest thing I ever did, though, particularly in retrospect, was to replace the AT cooling lines in my 1965 Pontiac, which IIRC was supported only by the bumper jack and not that far from a RR crossing across which a few did pass, vibrating the ground nicely. Only by the Grace of God was I not crushed for my stupidity, there is no rational reason the car stayed on the jack throughout.

It was also pretty scary when I agreed to rebuild the transfer case in my then-girlfriend's K5 Blazer. I picked up the rebuild kit and darn near peed myself when I saw all of the needle bearings. The mainshaft alone was close to a hundred of them, maybe more. It worked great after I got it done, though, and was still working fine years later when she traded it in.

[lorainfurniture]

I always release them ASAP. The front springs are intense..

[wildest]

One wire in the harness going to the instrument cluster (the charge indicator wire)that I let the smole out of, stupidly. I’m having to dissect the harness back to where it hasn’t melted, replace it and then hope that the fix is good, and that I haven’t hurt anything else. I don’t like working on wiring on cars.

[torsionbar]

606 head gasket job is fairly involved. easier the second time, lol. having the correct tools makes all the difference in the world.

[pawoSD]

For scary: Springs/suspension. For Length: Removing/repairing/replacing entire rear subframe on a W123.....

The length one will be replaced soon by my 190e to 190d conversion project I am working on finishing.

[layback40]

Most terrifying ~ getting out of a scraper cabin with it in gear & wheels spinning to get to the motor & shut it down when its on a run away. Normally you use the wheel/tire as a step. You need the bucket dug well into the ground so it dont move forward.

[macdoe]

The timing chain on a 420 sel

[otto huber]

Originally Posted by jusme

Yeah, I bought the special tool, and still havent had the balls to use it, still sitting in the case. I tried once, but chickened out halfway through compressing the spring. And when a shop quoted me $35 per side to replace my LCA bushings, I figured that wasnt worth my time to bother with it for $70 for both sides.

$35.00 to replace a LCA bushing?!?! That would only make sense if you brought the LCA to them out of the car.

Compressing the front springs on the W126 is pretty scary since you have to compress them almost entirely flat to get them out of the perch. If you remove the shock absorber, you'll get some extra clearance. It took me a while to figure that out.

[pimpernell]

The most intense repair I have ever done was changing out the glow plugs on my 96E300d. Three days of spraying PB Blaster and Freeze Off finally got the last two stuck plugs out of the head in one piece. Every time I would get a 1/4 turn on the plug, it would squeak.....and all the while, I had a $3000 figure in my head if I screwed up the job....now thats scarey!!!!!!

[giff]

Originally Posted by Can't Know

I have never liked coil springs either. Our HS autoshop had a patch in the block wall where one had broken free of a compressor and poked a hole before bouncing around and damaging some other stuff before finally coming to rest. Luckily there was no one in the way.

Scariest thing I ever did, though, particularly in retrospect, was to replace the AT cooling lines in my 1965 Pontiac, which IIRC was supported only by the bumper jack and not that far from a RR crossing across which a few did pass, vibrating the ground nicely. Only by the Grace of God was I not crushed for my stupidity, there is no rational reason the car stayed on the jack throughout.

It was also pretty scary when I agreed to rebuild the transfer case in my then-girlfriend's K5 Blazer. I picked up the rebuild kit and darn near peed myself when I saw all of the needle bearings. The mainshaft alone was close to a hundred of them, maybe more. It worked great after I got it done, though, and was still working fine years later when she traded it in.

Just remember to use a piece of firewood as a jack stand.....always think safety!! 8 ^)