My 79 300sd has a bad clunking sound going over bumps. I found the source and it does not look good. One of the suspension components (swaybar I think) has rusted free from the body.
What Do I do. This does not look like your basic job for Midas. If all the surrounding area is rotten it will not be weldable will it?
Eric Z

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That don't look good. I would start considering parting it out and looking for a good, clean southern car. You can spend alot of $$ fast fixing rusted stuff like this.

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Jim

Boy That looks really nasty. I agree to engatwork.
I dont even know if that is fixable anymore. Might cost you about half of another decent car.

MVK

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One penny saved is three penny earned.

1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

JUNK THE CAR!!! I am serious. That is a major safety hazard when the bracket breaks away like that. We had a lady at the shop total a 450SE because that happened at 35mph! The only cure is to replace the ENTIRE firewall and unless your 300SD is really really special to you, forget about it and find yourself a solid car. I had a '79 6.9 which that same thing happened to. Soon as I discovered it (by the noise), the car went to the scrapper.

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Regards,
Aaron

You have nothing reasonable to work with. Best to just start taking the good stuff off the car to be put up for sale or onto a replacement car... You should be able to get a good deal on a car which is in need of major engine or trans or rear end work... and save a classic in the process.... good luck, Greg

good lord. I didn't expect such a gloomy forecast. The car is otherwise running fine. Heck the body looks great except for this rust patch hidden in the front wheel well.
I just spent over 200 bucks on new tires all around and spent days getting the stereo installed just right.

The car seems to be handling all right. Is there no way I can fix this? I have access to a quality 220V stick welder.
eric Z

You have nothing to weld TO. and a stick welder on sheetmetal would not leave you with trustworthy joints even if you did have something solid to weld TO. If you were going to try to fix it you would have to be a magician with sheet metal and rivets..... There really is not a reasonable way to correct the situation which you have ( in my opinion ). Except what I mentioned above. sorry, Greg

Angst - I know how hard it is to hear such bad news - but it sounds like your safety (and others) is at risk. Please try to take it in, and move on - maybe with a newer car that your current car can donate to.

I guess the screen name you chose is feeling downright prophetic right now....but your safety is the most important thing....