best fixes list? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

84300DT · #31 12-03-2002, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 123c
I would have to say the battery, not having a good battery can cause starting problems.

LOLOLOL + i'm not sure i can stop

some for me:

-1/2 shafts + used diff .. there was a slight problem of the wheels locking up when driving..

-air cleaner mounts to stop the annoying rattle

-also a new battery

-replaced a bunch of the little lights in the dash to see switches and stuff at night

-rear shocks

-exhaust - original one fell clean off...

bob

Ken300D · #32 12-03-2002, 02:52 PM

New rear swaybar links.

It was rather disappointing to get my first Mercedes and hear it go CLUNK. CLUNK. CLUNK CLUNK over small bumps.

That was my first repair on the car - a 1982 300D.

After that it was truely a Mercedes.

Ken300D

#33 12-03-2002, 06:12 PM

I have a few more that I forgot to add or have just done in recent days.:
1.) Replaced Idle adjustment Knob, I found that having a good one helps the car idle smoth when cold.

2.) Shell Rotella T Synthetic in the winter, I switched to this yesterday, and I found that it helps alot with cold starts.

3.) Put Rain-X on all the windshields, this helps alot while driving in snow and rain.

Ducati · #34 12-05-2002, 02:43 AM

I just like the fact that mechanical components can be reached by some amateur hack like me with a box full of worn out tools laying on a piece of cardboard in my driveway. No having to remove a whole bunch of crap to get at something. Its a very easy car for a person of modest means and mechanical abilities to maintain. My 83' isnt pefect, but wow, it has been a cheap car to own. My 87' Buick Regal cost more to maintain and was more difficult to work on. The old Mercedes is a real good value for basic transportation, as I have better things to spend my meagre disposable income on than on some goddamn car.

#35 01-22-2003, 11:24 AM

I am going to add magnetic drain plug for the oil pan to my list.
Here's the link on how to build one:
Magnetic oil plug bolt?

GREASY_BEAST · #36 09-11-2006, 07:51 PM

1) the number 1 thing that has helped me keep costs down has been this forum and all the great people who know so much about these cars. I have never had to take this car to a shop for anything (except getting snow tires mounted on an extra set of rims), and I don't plan to.

3) scoring a running (albeit rotted out and very moldy) parts car for $600 that now lives on blocks in the woods behind my parents house. Already more than payed for itself, and it still has tons of goodies in it (good engine, good tranny, SLS pump + valve, fuel tank, climate control... ps pump... you name it)

2) Simplicity and good engineering that allow EVERYTHING that is required to keep these things running well to be done by a college kid like me with limited budget, tools, experience, etc... Hanes manual + shopforum + online shop manual = inexpensive

3) Fixed the problem of having to pay between $2.85 and $3.50 (current prices) for every 22-27mi in fuel by building and installing a vegetable oil fuel system. I have almost payed for half of it already in fuel savings (installed in June, 2006). I estimate that it shouldnt take more than 5-6 years to save the equivalent amount of money that the car and EVERY CENT I HAVE PUT TOWARDS IT cost me.

cdplayer · #37 09-11-2006, 11:32 PM

Best bang for me was replacing the steering box to stop an annoying leak. Previous owner had dealer remove power steering pump three times to solve leak problem. Solution was in the steering box. And I did it myself!!!
Also replaced air injector pump so it would smog. And installed new blower motor and resistor group, Bilsteins all around, and new inside door handles.
But the most fun I had was winning a matching console box off Ebay. That was fierce!!

rebreath · #38 09-12-2006, 06:59 AM

this summer.I think the most satisfactory of them all was removal of the black box(FREE) and the resulting shifting smoothness..
also....

WINDOW RUBBER.amazing how much more quiet she is now!!

#39 09-12-2006, 08:23 AM

1. Removed vacuum tubing to "black box" on the valve cover and to EGR valve. No more neck-snapping 1-2 shifts. No more far-too-early 2-3 shifts. Car feels like it's got 20% more power now that the trans keeps the motor spinning where it's supposed to!

2. Plugged off lock system. Who needs vacuum locks?? There's a leak in there somewhere - in the trunk lock, fuel filler door lock, or one of the door locks but I don't much care to find it. Nice to have the Benz shut down immediately with the key - every time.

3. Disconnected center vents vacuum actuator by going in through glovebox. Now I'm enjoying picking dirt out of my teeth from the air blasting out of the center vents.

Another item I'd like to fix one day, but for now, the benefit of automatic closing and opening of the center vents is not worth the frightening prospect of removing (and REPLACING!!) the dash.

4. The Coke bottle fix for the evap drain is sheer brilliance.

In general, I love that this car was clearly designed to be on the road for many, many years. It is the easiest car to work on since the air-cooled VW Bug.

Mismost · #40 09-12-2006, 09:34 AM

1. fixed all the vaccum leaks, plugged the EGR and it's lines...about 10 bucks...like getting a whole new car.

2. new front shocks...like a new front end.

3. new tires...another AHHHHH YESSSSS!

4. The FLUSHES were good cheap productive fun! Radiator, transmission, power steering, and the oft over looked brake flush....except for the radiator, you can FEEL the difference.

5. Inside...super-cleaned the interior and re-dyed the carpets, pool noddled the front seats, replaced some missing dash wood....another 10 bucks! (not cheap was the two new front seat cushion covers...300 bucks...but it was a GREAT BIG WOW FACTOR)

6. Shot some freon and oil into the A/C, added a belt and got cool air....COOL! Got semi-luckey...it is working, but the compressor is starting to talk back

7. Re-blacked the outside rubber bumpers and trims...4 bucks, used peanut oil and will never do that again, what a mess. After I got that crap off I used Kiwi Black Scuff Cover...walmart in the shoe department...that did work great.

It is remarkable how these old cars respond to simple rubbing, wiping, cleaning, and replacement of small items like vaccum connections!

Lostyankee · #41 09-12-2006, 11:57 AM

Rubber vacuum hose connectors.
When in a door or under the dash, verify, fix, lube ... everything. It is just too much work to have to do 90% of the work again becasue you did not change a drain tube or lock vacuum rubber.
My very best $ saver is giong back in time and shooting several POs.
2nd best is shooting stupid ebay buyers (I include my 1st lesson).

muleears · #42 09-12-2006, 01:55 PM

The removal of the ALDA from my 300K mi. 603. What a difference! And it was FREE. The car was a dog from 0-20, not its a rocket.

#43 09-12-2006, 10:44 PM

I bled all 4 brakes in the late fall. This spring the left rear caliper stuck badly all of a sudden. I pumped the pistons and compressed them back a few times, all the way in and all the way out (pads on, caliper off of rotor). I bled again with the pads nearly touching (kept a flat head screwdriver between to pry them back) the fluid now came out brown-then clear. Caliper fixed! (though a new one might be needed in the next few years)

t walgamuth · #44 09-12-2006, 11:34 PM

first two things i always want to do on an old car is new bilsteins and new michelins.

transforms the car.

oh yeah, the best thing if needed is new muffler. changes a junker sounding thing back into a car.

tom w

ne2i · #45 09-13-2006, 06:42 AM

Anyone replace driveshaft flex doughnuts?
anyone had a failure? what mileage.....

George