OFFICIAL 2nd Annual Mercedes Shop/Fast Lane GTG and Tech Session (TX, OK, LA, AR) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

whunter · #1 09-30-2008, 02:31 PM

Bring your cameras!!!
Everyone needs to be aware that this is a TWO DAY tech session, both days will be busy.

November 15-16 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnyintx

This IS a 99.99% diesel event, after all....Besides, this ain't just some drive-your-la-di-da-car-in-the-country "event," it's a workshop/tech session/crawl-under-your-car-and-get-greasy kinda thing!

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Here is a rough list of what is planned for the weekend.

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Bring work cloths/coveralls for the hands on.

whunter will:
be answering questions both days.
There will be another LOCAL MB master technician there demonstrating procedures, and answering questions.
inspecting your cars/addressing issues, subject to time limits.

1 p.m., Saturday, 11/15:
The swap meet will be at Tri-Lakes, as well -- we have a lot of space to work in, so we'll be swappin', dealin' and sellin'.

* We will have SPECIAL TOOLS:
* An injector pop tester + many spare nozzles to demonstrate = learn how to use it, or bring your spare nozzles for testing.
* An MB spring compressor being used = learn how to use it.
* Glow plug reamer being used = learn how to use it.
* Rear wheel bearing nut tool = learn how to use it.
* Instrument cluster hooks (MB) = learn how to use them.

* Showing a demonstration instrument cluster with enhanced lighting = new product for mercedesshop.com + taking preliminary orders.
* Vehicle#1. W126 front steering/suspension rebuild, ball joints and guide rod mounts. http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W126GuideRodMount
* Vehicle #2. W126 Front lower ball joint replace.
* Vehicle #3. W123 Front lower ball joint replace.
* Install OM617.951 or OM617.952 Lift pump Repair kit W126.120 300SD or W123.133 300D OM617.951 and .952 Lift pump Repair kit W126.120 300SD W123.133 300D
* May need four more vehicles, post your repairs needed list, possible lottery so bring your parts.

Technical DVD's you can watch in the office.

* Primer pump replacement
* Fuel filter change
* Glow plug replacement
* Vacuum Pump Rebuild OM617
* Water in diesel fuel system

Here is the link to last years event.
OFFICIAL 1st Annual Mercedes Shop/Fast Lane GTG and Tech Session (TX, OK, LA, AR)

7:00 p.m., Saturday, 11/15: Texas barbecue dinner with all the fixings, plus lemonade and iced tea. dinner at Texas Barbeque Corral @ 201 I-30 W, on the southern service road, between Tri-Lakes Garage and Hwy. 37. There may be music, there may not be -- one never knows about that, but the food is fabulous!
(I will find out if alcohol can be brought into the restaurant, but they definitely don't serve it. High ethanol beverages are BYOB -- this is a dry area, and the nearest package store is 10 miles east of the shop, on I-30, in Winfield.)

10 a.m., Sunday, 11/16: Sweet rolls, donuts, coffee, and the tech sessions continue at Tri Lakes Garage.

3 p.m., Sunday, 11/16: Farewells as everyone hits the road for home, greasy and happy!!

For questions, directions, regrets, or anything else, Registered User post here or PM sunnyintx, whunter.

Winnsboro is about halfway between Dallas and Texarkana, about 15 miles south of I-30, deep in the piney woods of East Texas. It’s convenient to Dallas and Fort Worth, and easily accessible to folks in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana as well. We've invited the Texas MBCA clubs, as well as ones in adjacent states. The temperature has dropped, so it looks like we'll have autumn color like you rarely see outside of New England, with native sweet gums, maples, persimmons, and other colorful foliage against the backdrop of pine and cedar. Gentle hills, winding country roads, abundant wildlife, and around 10 area lakes complete the beautiful scenery. For our loving and tolerant significant others, there is ample antique shopping. There’s evening entertainment available in the form of a “coffeehouse” with live music and Lou Viney's, Winnsboro’s own winery outlet, has live jazz and other great music.

Bring your cars, your extra parts to swap or sell to fellow Benzers, and your tools for a great weekend. And MARK YOUR TOOLS – sorting out whose sockets are whose is beyond annoying, and we want to spend our time learning and doing, not wrangling over a wrench! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!!

:EDIT:
No Dallas locations possible this year, liability issues, shop overtime, etc.

Location confirmed Tri Lakes Garage.
Just talked to Steve at Tri Lakes Garage RE: tools etc.

Tech Session Registration:
$40.00 per family for two days, November 15 and 16 2008. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Note: Please bring folding chairs for your own comfort. Otherwise, plan to be on your feet. Coffee, donuts, pizza (lunch), and 1 BBQ dinner included..
$30.00 for returning Dieselheads.

Updated 11/7/08.
At this late date, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL your registration:
Check in with Sunny Letot when you arrive.

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Directions:

Tri Lakes Garage
220 E. I-30
(south side at Spur 423 exit)
Mt Vernon, TX 75457
(903) 537-3818

Actros617 · #2 09-30-2008, 08:52 PM

Is there one in oklahoma??? If there is that would be GREAT

sunnyintx · #3 10-01-2008, 10:02 AM

This is a regional event, not just a state one. You're more than welcome to come -- it's only a little over 200 miles, we had a lot of folks drive farther than that for last year's event, and Roy's making the longest trip of all!

It's well worth it, even considering the price of fuel.

SOUND OFF, GUYS!!
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Since this post is on Page 1 of the thread, I will continue to update the list [below] as folks let us know they're going to join the fun.

If you don't see a next to your name, it means we don't yet have your registration, which is our definite confirmation that you're coming.

means we're expecting you!

It's getting late, so I need you to sound off -- let me know for sure you're coming.

We can do Paypal [PM me for my e-mail addy] or take a check when you arrive if we have to, but get your registrations in, please.

[Did you know the Administrator only lets me use 30 of these smilie guys per message? How quick can you make me have to ask for special permission to use more than that?]

Class of '07:
1. whunter

2. sunnyintx (and John, her MBZ diesel-loving husband)

3. okieone
4. Whiskeydan
5. alabbasi
6. tarbe
7. sdpartz
8. dmorrison
9. chasinthesun 75%
10. Rashakor
11. ik04
12. JimmyL

13. RichC
14. bodyart27

15. mechmagcn
16. Hit Man X
17. justinperkins
18. LarryBible
19. rmakay
20. Fuzzball
21. blindwolf
22. MajikBenz

23. Grandpa
24. Lakeside
25. R Leo

26. romansek
27. Pagoda_tect
28. TX76513 (John)

29. pwjeep

30. abiggercamera

31. RUN-EM

[Note: PM sent to everyone on the '07 alumni list.]

Class of '08:
1. Lowriderdog37
2. E150GT
3. AdvisorGuy
4. TylerH860

5. ascalise
6. first300D
7. MAGV5
8. nomorehurry
9. 71inka02
10. bbboomer
11. twinockchef
12. moralem
13. Walter Parse

Call/e-mail your friends in the 4-state area who'd like to learn a thing or two about their Mercedes-Benzes and invite 'em to come along. Just be sure to post additions to this thread so we keep a good count!!

sunnyintx · #4 10-01-2008, 10:03 AM

We're still looking for a location -- the one we had last year out by me is cleaner, more organized, and available, but Roy and I figured that all you guys in the DFW area would be happier if we were closer in. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

lowriderdog37 · #5 10-01-2008, 09:06 PM

The next few months for me are REALLY up in the air, but as my schedule stands now, I should be driving through there going from San Angelo to Shreveport that weekend. I should be able to stop by for a night, if not for an hour or two.

JimmyL · #6 10-02-2008, 01:47 AM

I really enjoyed last years location. It isn't far from the DFW area and we had access to a mini-lift and a ton of room.
Last year was one of my most enjoyable GTG's ever attended, and the China Coffee Shop was open........

If that location isn't available, well, then I volunteer Dan's place. It's about the only way to get him to attend, although he did show up briefly last year in the new SD.

Dee8go · #7 10-02-2008, 09:08 AM

I think Northern Virginia would be an excellent location for one of these.

E150GT · #8 10-02-2008, 10:38 AM

Sounds good. I hope my car can amke the trip!

sunnyintx · #9 10-02-2008, 01:37 PM

Last year's location is still available, as I said earlier -- the knee lift is gone, but the big lift is installed, which has made life WAY easier! And yes, we've got a ton of room, sheltered and otherwise. And finally, Roy's favorite BBQ place is a quarter mile down the road.

However, Roy and I wondered if more people might come if we held it in Dallas. This is up to the participants -- I can keep looking for a Dallas location, or I can stop and focus on the one we used last year and that has already said we're welcome to come back. The latter would certainly be better for me.

Let me know. I know the local MBCA pres and a number of members are not remotely concerned about driving 100 miles for a Mercedes event, and they have asked that we let them know ASAP about our tech session so they can promote it.

AdvisorGuy · #10 10-02-2008, 02:52 PM

Dallas... I'm down....

whunter · #11 10-02-2008, 08:59 PM

Last years location was

Tri Lakes Garage
220 E. I-30
(south side at Spur 423 exit)
Mt. Vernon.

bodyart27 · #12 10-03-2008, 05:44 PM

let me talk to the wife.... I might be able to convince her to let me host 1 of the days that weekend

somehow a 2 post asymetrical lift found its way into our garage

TylerH860 · #13 10-06-2008, 11:26 PM

Perhaps, maybe... If school/work/girlfriend doesn't have me tied down.

ascalise · #14 10-08-2008, 12:11 AM

My sis lives in dallas and her birthday is just a few days away from the GTG. Sounds like a plan if i can talk myself into driving the 240d for 8-9 hours straight. I've never driven on the highway for more than an hour or so straight. I'm sure it will make it, just dont know if i can handle the noise at 65-75mph.

I could always put it on a trailer and pull it behind my truck but that will take all the fun out of it!!

bodyart27 · #15 10-08-2008, 05:04 PM

wife is up for one day - but not two

If the cars that are being actively worked on are contained to my garage, then we will be fine. I don't need any grief from the neighborhood, and luckily the garage is in the back. We can have one car on the lift, and we still have two other bays available. I have a 20 ton press as well and just about all the run of the mill metric tools you'd need for a job (except for a specialty MB tool - though I have the usual stuff like valve wrenches, GP reamer, wrench for diesel fuel hardlines, 123/126 ball joint press tool, spring compressor, etc).
Garage also has mop sink and big air compressor if someone likes air tools (I have those as well). All I ask is at the end of the day people help clean up and we don't wrench past 6pm. There is a nice italian pkace up the street that can handle a lot of folks and is cheap. A lot of chain places (including some BBQ) not too far away.

I have a gas grill that folks can cookout on if they prefer - nothing amazing but it does the job.

I can post picks of the place if folks think this might be an option (1 day out of the two).

I'm in 75056 zip code if you were wondering.