New member first postings.

I just posted to the Shops New England forum but the moderator has to approve the posts before they'll show I guess, does that happen with every forum?

Been a lurker for about a year since I got my 87 300D, haven't needed to ask anything because I found the answers after searching for the few issues I've had.

But I just replaced both tie rods because the ball joint on the driver's side was failing loose with a torn boot. I'm a pretty competent wrench but without a decent place to work on my car. searching the web I found a DIY garage that rents lift time and after R&Ring my tie rods then a discounted alignment at a nearby Town Fair Tire I wanted to pass the info along.

The garage is

Gearhead Systems International – DIY Auto Repair Center 401-739-0090

in Warwick RI. It's everything they advertise and more! $20 for one hour on a lift, used the tire machines to mount and balance a new spare AND got a discounted alignment $40 to boot. most satisfying wrenching I've gotten done in years!

Beautiful shop, all the standard tools included, all kinds of shop equipment available included. Fantastic experience, Owner's name is Ron Long, free membership (you need to sign a safety waiver is all) they are open 7 days a week (till 2 pm Sun). Its a DIY dream come true, well worth the 45 min drive to get there for me.

If you don't have your own shop or place to do repairs this is the way to go. Give them a look you won't be disappointed.

Where is the diesel related question?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Spam post. Literally just joined to advertise.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Sorry, I didn't see anything about only asking diesel related questions. I have a diesel car and thought that other DIY diesel owners in my neck of the woods would appreciate information like this. I'd posted to the shops forum and a RI sticky but the posts didn't show up and there was a notice mentioning "moderator approval" before they would show up, I just thought posting to the diesel forum would maybe get approved faster with all the traffic it gets.

I've read posts about DIY garage operations like this gone out of business and in other places and thought it would be useful to others in my situation. I recently moved into a condo apartment and there are some pretty strict rules about cars and parking, basically you can only change a flat tire on a non-leaky car. I used to have a house with an attached garage where I could do whatever I wanted. I found Ron's place almost by accident and did my tie rod R&R there last week.

If any of my post is unacceptable please let me know I'll delete it.

Wow! I've read a couple of your posts in the past regarding your 603 and 602 cars that have helped me with my 87 300D, thanks. But in this cases you don't have a clue what you are talking about. I've been reading and researching here since I got my diesel about a year ago just never needed to post anything and still don't but I thought that other Benz Heads in this area might not know about this DIY lift rental and having just used it last week I was just a little bit excited to be able to share some useful info with others.

I apologize if doing that somehow offends you and makes you jump to wrong conclusions. I don't know if I'd ever approach someone I know nothing about like you have to me on this but I hope someone would smarten me up if I did, jeez.

.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

There’s a shop like that down the road from me but no tire mounting or balancing. About the only thing I can’t do at home.

Pit Row – Full Service Auto Repair & Do-it-yourself (DIY)

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

I own a diesel and would be happy to learn of this place if I lived anywhere near it. It is nice to be able to stand and look up to see the underside of your car. The post seems diesel related to me.

There was a place like that here in Lafayette 40 years ago. We also used to have salvage yards.

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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.

I don't see why u guys in the first couple posts are giving him crap.

As far as I've always understood this is the the diesel discussion forum not the diesel question and answer forum.

Not to mention I can count at least ten threads on the first page that not only have nothing to do with diesel, nor Mercedes, and not asking any question.

I'm very excited and intrigued to know this info and I don't think he is affiliated with that shop in anyway its just coincidence that it was his first post.

I hope we can give him a more proper welcome in the future

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I'd be _really_ concerned with letting the general public use a tire machine as there is too much risk of them hurting themselves or others. Like the pry bar flying out and hitting someone else.

There used to be a couple of places like this around NY. That nasty liability problem always seems to literally throw the wrench in the works.

Those of you being nasty to newbies, cut it out. This list has enough bad advice to go around, we can be generous.

Red - Let me say "Welcome to the forums". I'm a relative newbie on here myself and one of the few folks who actually race a M-B Diesel.

I'm a hard-core car guy and have made it a priority to build myself a shop wherever I've lived for the past 40+ years and I've had a hoist for at least 25 of those years. If one is about messing with cars you simply MUST set about making a place to do it. The down side is that you have less $$ for nifty car parts but you can actually install the ones you DO get. Having access to rental shop like you described can get you started but if it's going to be a life-long hobby (like it has been for me) you have to sign up to attend the meetings of Tool Collectors Anonymous. It's OK - we all understand. And the hoist is the Main Tool for car guys.

BTW - my current hoist was only $1700 delivered to my door from Pace Tools. It's Chinese but has an American pump. Of course, you DO need adequate ceiling height and thick enough concrete to anchor it (5").

A minor and silly bit of nit-picking - the technical definition of "lift" is an elevator that only goes between 2 floors. A "hoist" is an industrial device for raising a work piece to facilitate performing work on said work piece. So the gizmo to raise a car to work on it is a "hoist". It's just one of my silly quirks as most folks use the term "lift" when they mean a "hoist". Sorry for the lecture.

Dan

I also agree that there is nothing "out of order" on Red's post. Welcome to the Forum Red, and enjoy from now one. Regarding the lift, what a deal to be able to rent one when ever it is needed. I do have access to one at times, if the mechanic, a friend of mine is not to busy. I would rather just go and rent one.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Yup, a welcome is in order.
I approved the post, but was apprehensive due to it straight up being an ad for the business. Since it was a town specific business, I figured it was legit.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!