My Custom 1980 W116 300SD Project Part 2 - Page 15 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Squiggle Dog · #**211** 05-06-2019, 12:27 PM

Don't get me wrong, I use eye protection quite often and really wanted to use it this time as well. I just didn't think I would be able to see at all as the glasses would be smeared over with grease and there wasn't good lighting underneath to begin with.

vwnate1 · #**212** 05-06-2019, 12:48 PM

I understand completely .

Squiggle Dog · #**213** 05-18-2019, 01:59 PM

I got new rubber grommets for the parking brake cables as the old ones were worn through and the metal was starting to cut into the cables.

I also got new locking nuts and washers for the differential.

Squiggle Dog · #**214** 05-18-2019, 02:23 PM

The remanufactured CVJ axles had little breather tubes pinched in between the boots and the shaft. CVJ said I could remove them if I live in a dusty environment or if I wanted. I grabbed the ends with pliers and noted they stretched out quite a bit, almost to the point of breaking, but with very careful and steady force I pulled them all out and the boots still seem to fit tightly.

The new clips for attaching the axle shafts into the differential arrived. The old clips were a loose fit and I had hoped that new clips would fit snug and prevent me from having to play around with replacement spacers. Fortunately, the new clips fit nice and snug.

After installing the trailing arms and differential into the subframe, I lifted the trailing arms up to the stop and supported them so I could manipulate the ends of the axle shafts into place. Then I lowered the trailing arms to help seat them.

Some gentle taps with a rubber mallet were required to drive the axle shafts into the hubs so the bolt would reach.

After the axle shafts were installed (new deformable washers are needed), I checked the trailing arms to make sure the axle shafts were allowing the full range of motion. Then I torqued down the bolts for the trailing arm bushings as it's easier to move the trailing arms beforehand. I used physics to my advantage and tilted the whole assembly back onto the protrusion of the differential cover and rotated it on the cardboard so I could lay it down correct side up onto two moving carts.

I noticed that the threaded differential mounting tabs had small rocks and dirt underneath them which wasn't allowing them to fit flat against the sheet metal, and no doubt would have caused mounting issues. So, I removed them, soaked them in Evapo-Rust, and then cleaned out the body with a pick and compressed air. The compressed air worked well for blowing out all the dust and dirt from the body channels.

Squiggle Dog · #**215** 05-18-2019, 02:37 PM

Installing the rear axle assembly by myself was easy with the proper technique. I rolled the assembly back to the vehicle on the carts.

Then I slid it underneath the vehicle until I bumped into the exhaust. I put a moving blanket over the exhaust system, and with the left rear hub floating over the top of it, I lifted up the rear axle assembly enough to slide out one of the carts so the assembly was now resting on the exhaust. From there I was able to center the assembly by sliding it into place.

I got new springs and spacers for the rear. I figured it's now or never.

The old springs actually don't seem like they lost any height and were probably fine, but I think the front left spring is sagging and if I have to replace the fronts anyway, I might as well do the rears, too.

Squiggle Dog · #**216** 05-18-2019, 02:45 PM

A new rear subframe mounting kit was installed. It went in easily with dish soap and the pressure of the jack.

I lifted up the rear axle assembly enough to slide a jack underneath the differential and then lifted it up high enough to lift up each end of the subframe with separate jacks so I could get the mounts in position. Getting the assembly perfectly positioned was tricky, but I got the differential and subframe mounts installed.

I made sure to fill the differential before I forgot. Nothing but the best synthetic fluids allowed!

The shock absorbers are now installed and the vehicle is resting again on all four wheels. Now I can take a break and work on some other projects before I start back on installing the driveshaft and buttoning up the rear end.

pj67coll · #**217** 05-18-2019, 02:52 PM

Truly amazing job. I wish I could do this to my 240D as I have to replace the diff and at least one axle shaft, but I'm pretty sure I don't have the skill levels to accomplish all this.

- Peter.

marco5 · #**218** 05-18-2019, 06:05 PM

Absolutely amazing job Squiggle Dog, so much attention to detail. Your car is approaching full mechanical restoration and is worth some good money.

Just curious, what have you spent so far ball park with the restoration? You may want to have it insured/appraised for that amount. Just in case some moron rear ends you or something.

BWhitmore · #**219** 05-18-2019, 06:18 PM

I appreciate your attention to the details. Nice work!

KJenkins · #**220** 05-18-2019, 10:08 PM

This is fantastic work. I think you should start your own youtube channel. There are many people doing VW restorations and such but not many doing classic mercedes. I personally would love seeing work like this documented on video.

pj67coll · #**221** 05-19-2019, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJenkins

This is fantastic work. I think you should start your own youtube channel. There are many people doing VW restorations and such but not many doing classic mercedes. I personally would love seeing work like this documented on video.

X2
It would have been wonderful if Squiggle could have video'd all this as I'm toying with the idea of trying to do the same rear end rebuild on my 240D. Obviously it can be done. But going into it blind with no mechanical experience could be a major problem.

- Peter.

dude99 · #**222** 05-20-2019, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJenkins

I think you should start your own youtube channel. There are many people doing VW restorations and such but not many doing classic mercedes. I personally would love seeing work like this documented on video.

I've been suggesting this to him for a while. I think he'd gain quite a following as well as make a few $$$ on the side.

Squiggle Dog · #**223** 05-20-2019, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco5

Absolutely amazing job Squiggle Dog, so much attention to detail. Your car is approaching full mechanical restoration and is worth some good money.

Just curious, what have you spent so far ball park with the restoration? You may want to have it insured/appraised for that amount. Just in case some moron rear ends you or something.

I added up the stack of receipts that I've kept since I got the car in early 2010, and it came out to over $13,000. That's including parts I've purchased from wrecking yards and eBay. Most of the genuine Mercedes parts I've ordered have been at a 15-30% discount off of MSRP. I have done all my own labor except for possibly only alignments, mounting and balancing tires, and rebuilding the injectors. If I had paid someone to do the work, the cost would no doubt have been exponentially larger as not only would I be paying $60-$100 per hour (?) but I'd also be paying a mark-up on the parts.

I guess $13,000 isn't terrible considering it's going to be nearly mechanically perfect with everything working as it should and every bit as reliable as a new car. But that's putting in a lot of time and labor. It's also in dire need of paint and bodywork, and that's easily going to cost a few thousand.

vwnate1 · #**224** 05-21-2019, 10:13 AM

...Join the club Squig .

Every time I look at my old Coupe I think "if only I know a trustworthy body & paint shop"......

The last body shop I trusted to touch my Mercedes (my first 300CD) screwed it up -so- badly I sold the car at a dead loss .

Squiggle Dog · #**225** 05-21-2019, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

...Join the club Squig .

Every time I look at my old Coupe I think "if only I know a trustworthy body & paint shop"......

The last body shop I trusted to touch my Mercedes (my first 300CD) screwed it up -so- badly I sold the car at a dead loss .

I've been driving my roommate's 1965 W111 220S while my car has been down and as I got out of it at The UPS Store, a bunch of guys in a big truck asked me if I ever thought about getting the car painted. I said, "Yeah, but who can afford it?" The guy said that they do mobile auto painting and for $600 they could put three coats of clear coat on it to make it shine like new. Ick. Clear coat does not last in the desert. He said he'd follow me back to my house and do it right in my driveway.

I pointed out all the paint loss on the driver side doors because both doors had been replaced and were originally different colors. When the car was repainted, the paint didn't adhere very well. I also pointed out all the dents. He said, "For $725 I will remove all the dents, respray the doors, and clear coat the whole car. I'll do it right now, right here in the parking lot. You'll never get such a great deal. This is the opportunity of a lifetime."

The guy was really pushy and all his buddies were chiming in, too. I told him the car doesn't even belong to me and I'd have to ask the owner, anyway. That's when the guy said, "Whatever." and got back in his truck and drove off.

I can only imagine the quality of the job if the guy had done it right there in the parking lot. Most likely he would have demanded cash up front and then sped off.