Long awaited project- 1982 300TD restoration - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tyl604 · #46 05-09-2018, 04:42 PM

Good info.

Thx.

ROLLGUY · #47 05-09-2018, 10:25 PM

I got the calipers rebuilt with new hardware and pads. I wire wheeled the rotors and painted them. I found that all four have stamped on them: MADE IN GERMANY. That is good to know. I installed the calipers and new brake hoses, and got the wheels back on the car. Next I will replace the brake booster and master cylinder. The old MC was leaking into the booster.

vwnate1 · #48 05-10-2018, 03:26 PM

? In post # 37 you said you had all four rotors turned (rotors should be ground, never turned) why I asked if you'd measured them .

Some folks criss - cross the wear sensor wires, do you ? .

ROLLGUY · #49 05-10-2018, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

? In post # 37 you said you had all four rotors turned (rotors should be ground, never turned) why I asked if you'd measured them .

Some folks criss - cross the wear sensor wires, do you ? .

I don't know what you mean by ground, but every single rotor/drum that I have ever had machined (and they are many) was done on a brake lathe. After all, that is what the machine is made for. I will continue to have my rotors turned (machined) on a brake lathe (this is the machine the shop I use has) till my dying day.
As for wear sensors, I have never heard of crossing the wires, and as far as I know the electronics in the system does not care what socket each sensor is plugged into. What would be the advantage to crossing the wires?

andrewjtx · #50 05-10-2018, 05:18 PM

I believe it's to take up the slack so the cake doesn't bow out and rub on the inside of the rotor hat, grounding itself out. I've had that happen before.

ROLLGUY · #51 05-10-2018, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

I believe it's to take up the slack so the cake doesn't bow out and rub on the inside of the rotor hat, grounding itself out. I've had that happen before.

I have not seen a single W123 with the wires crossed, and believe me, I've seen hundreds.

ROLLGUY · #52 05-10-2018, 08:45 PM

I found some paint that matched the light ivory color of my car. I painted the grill, and installed the new molding pieces I ordered. The color actually matches better than the photo shows.

vwnate1 · #53 05-11-2018, 09:52 AM

Brake lathes used to come with a grinding wheel attachment .

I too have re surfaced many a brake rotor / flywheel, they're supposed to be ground not turned .

I've seen many crossed sensor wires and wasn't sure if it's necessary or not, why I asked .

It just leaves leas slack in the leads, might not be important one way or t'other .

I think that grille is going to offset the car very nicely .

Squiggle Dog · #54 05-11-2018, 11:38 AM

That is going to be a very awesome car when done. Sometimes I wish I had bought a T123 instead of a W116 as I'm such a wagon guy. But, wagons tend to be priced high. Then again, parts for a W116 are more expensive and harder to find, plus it's an orphan car and every time I want to do a modification, there doesn't seem to be anyone who has done it before me, so I have to figure it out.

A light color on the grille looks nice. I'm personally not a fan of painting it black as then it just looks like a big hole like something's missing. With a light color, you can see the grille.

ROLLGUY · #55 05-11-2018, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Brake lathes used to come with a grinding wheel attachment .

I too have re surfaced many a brake rotor / flywheel, they're supposed to be ground not turned .

I've seen many crossed sensor wires and wasn't sure if it's necessary or not, why I asked .

It just leaves leas slack in the leads, might not be important one way or t'other .

I think that grille is going to offset the car very nicely .

I have heard of putting a "non-directional finish" on rotors with a sanding disc while on the brake lathe, but nothing more technical than that. I talked with a friend this morning (automotive fabricator/machinest/mechanic most of his life), and he has never done anything more than turn rotors on a brake lathe. I think that your opinion that brake rotors should be ground and not turned, is just that- your opinion. To say they are "supposed to be ground" is your opinion, and contrary to everything I have heard and learned about brake rotors. I also think that many qualified brake technicians would have the same opinion as I, that brake rotor "turning" is the industry standard, and not "grinding". This is my opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

vwnate1 · #56 05-11-2018, 06:09 PM

As you say Rich ;

I don't know so I trust my factory training .

Just because most are too cheap / lazy to have the right tools or know how to use them doesn't make a thing so .

Well into the 1980's every brake lathe in every shop/gas station I saw. had this attachment although few knew how to properly attach and use it by then .

Sort of like "spark plugs come pre gapped, no need to check them" (lunacy) or "a dwell meter is a waste of time".

Just because a thing works for the moment doesn't make it right .

ROLLGUY · #57 05-15-2018, 10:11 AM

I got the booster and MC replaced, and the brakes back together. I have not been able to drive it much, as the tail lights and plates (blue & gold plates- being restored) are off the car. After the paint is polished and the car put back together, I will check the brakes out more (I just drove it around the yard, off the road). I did have the battery and tray out to replace the suction hose and repair a rust hole under the battery tray. I cut and ground out the rusted metal, put insulated foil tape on the back side, and then spread on some Polyurethane Adhesive. This stuff works great for this application. It dries very hard, and seals very well. I then masked the area around the patch and painted it with the same paint I used on the grille. I have to say it looks pretty good! Sorry, I did not get a before photo.......Rich

Squiggle Dog · #58 05-15-2018, 02:41 PM

Great job! Your car is going to look like MBeige's before long. I discovered that my firewall is rusted out at the blower motor due to years of debris holding water.

ROLLGUY · #59 05-15-2018, 10:43 PM

I finished the paint polishing today (waxed too!). I even polished and waxed the rear license plate before putting on new stickers. I installed all the emblems, and the new moldings (not too happy with Ziegler parts, but at least they look better than what was there). I have yet to install the front bumper boots and headlight trim and corner lights. I am bumbed, I accidentally broke off the hood star. I have another, so that is good. I have an appointment tomorrow at the radiator shop to vac and charge the A/C. I am going with R12. With the big fan and P.F. condenser, it should pump out Popsicles from the vents!

ROLLGUY · #60 05-15-2018, 10:47 PM

I also installed an all stainless steel 2 1/2" exhaust sustem that was on a parts car I bought years ago. I had to lengthen it a bit (a friend had a piece of SS pipe and a TIG welder) to fit the wagon. It looks and sounds cool!
Oh and yes, I need to replace the reverse lights......Rich