when will NLA parts be the end for our cars
 

So, I'm hunting around for parts and finding more and more NLA parts that could spell the end of some cars. Sure there are work arounds like sealing your sunroof shut, since you cant rebuild the manual ones anymore as the Felt slide rails are NLA. but what about parts that actually will keep your car off the road.
Like the Oil Check valves. In past years people have said to find them in the vacuum pump rebuild kits, but even those are becoming harder to find. Or transmission parts as only the clutch pack seems available for some of the older manuals, what if you break a retaining ring your hosed.I dont think our car will end because of regulation, simply the fact that you can no longer repair them. Starts making me wonder if finding a repower solution is actually the answer by replacing the drive train with something modern that can actually be fixed.

I've never encountered a part I couldn't find on FCP, Rock Auto, fleabay, Amazon or the JY.

Never. Mercedes classic center is a thing too

Don't know what you are driving ng but plenty of parts around for Benzs that a older than I am.

Sort of like old Harleys. Eventually we may run out of OE but there will always be lots of aftermarket for those who want to drive instead of enshrine.

I dont think anyone makes an aftermarket oil check valve. https://www.mbpartsworld.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-check-valve-6170180029

It just of an example of how a little part could be the end on the car. if this goes and you cant replace it your kind of screwed.

He's right, as MB expands its model range from 5 cars back when your W123 was new to over 30 different models in the current range. Parts for older cars that consume shelf space is being cleared for new parts.

Basic things like keys for an R129 are now NLA , trunk lock assembly for a W108 has been out of stock for some time.

Furthermore, junk suppliers like URO parts are causing quality manufacturers like Lemforder to discontinue support for older cars because consumers tend to shop only on price and would rather buy the part that's 30% cheaper even if it only has 10% of the longevity.

The days of using an old Mercedes as a reliable daily transport is numbered.

Again more *****ing and moaning. I've never encountered a part I needed that I couldn't find. If you think the market for parts is so tight for certain parts, start your own supplier. You'll be a milionare in no time.

In this case I'm getting a serious oil leak coming from the Turbo area, in doing some looking I found that it could be a bad oil check valve. There is a really nice write up on how to fix it. PeachPartsWiki: Replacing the Oil Separator Check Valve

But you cant get the part anymore. Which mean fab something from scratch, or the cars done. Thats not really *****ing its fact. I'm thinking I could thread the hole and use a different brand of check valve to prevent the oil from back flowing. I'll know more once I have the engine and trans out of the car and see everything clearly.

Parts for the W126 are already being severely UROfied, it's days are numbered

I think they have quit actually making parts for a lot of the old cars many years ago and they are still just sitting around. A lot of the time there are only a couple dozen or less left of some of the things I order for mine. The captive nuts that hold the guide rod brackets to the body on the w126 are soon to be NLA, and there is no usable substitute. Of course a suspension rebuild for a w126 costs more than one is worth now even if you do it yourself.

Coming from the Mouth of an Old Diesel IP Pump Mechanic
 

MB USA no longer carries any mechanical parts for IPs. or IPs. So you will have to find them on the interweb. He said their days are numbered..

This is why my basement looks like this! I have enough parts to rebuild my two W123's a few times over, as well as a few more.

If you're willing to innovate, never. For example, Steele Rubber Products and others offer weatherstrip that you can make work. A broken bracket can be fabricated. The list goes on. You may have to abandon the idea of keeping your Mercedes ALL Mercedes but I say it's better to have it on the road with some aftermarket bits than to send it to Korea to turn into Hyundais and Kias (no disrespect to those makes but you get my drift). The engines live pretty much forever, rusty bodies can be welded up, interiors can be sewn up, and the rest can be worked around. I think my point is that as long as you love your 'Benz it's becoming time to turn into hot rodders, not to modify the car for performance but to make it work on to the NEXT century!


Dan

Free market will step in if the demand is there.

Try to buy radiator for a SDL, or how about an vin coded ignition cylinder for a 123, 124, and maybe 126 as well. Need to replace your vacuum pods? Many of those are NLA. I could go on and on.