A family freind bought a 85 380SE a year ago. The car by the looks of it had a bit of a rough life and was rusted in the classic areas of the w126 but the interior was alright.

I dont think it was ever rustproofed at all and has been in Canada since new. The other day he heard some creaking and noise in the front area of the car....he brought it to his mechanic....they lifted it up and saw that the frame of the car has cracked He was about to sell the car but cannot now because it cant be repaired.....the car is basically done. Its hard to beleive that its cracked but it is.

This is good news to me as he is offering it to me as a parts car for no charge. It has many exspensive good parts that I could use such as steering box and a better tranny and his engine is rebuilt.

Anyone ever heard of a MB frame cracking?

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
01 C240

We've fixed numerous frames that were cracked in various places on Benzes. Usually not a big deal.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

really? Well I wont say anything so then ill get this car and fix it lol.

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99 C43
98 S420
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Since the W126 is a uni-body design (ie: no traditional body on frame design like Detroiters of the 50s and some modern SUVs like the Explorer, Expedition, etc), how is it possible that the frame can crack?

-Sam

Though the car is a unibody design, the engine sits in a sub-frame member that can corrode and crack. Not unusual in Canada for cars that are driven in harsh saltly conditions and not washed regularly in the winter. I have yet to see a well-cared for MB suffer from this fate.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

My father said this would never happen to mine as it was rustproofed and oiled every year that its impossible.

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99 C43
98 S420
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That's a pretty strong word. Rustproofing can decay and wear out. Also, you should be wary of aftermarket rustproofing, as they can be applied in a manner that actually traps moisture. However, washing your car on a regular basis in the winter is a good idea, and get the wand right under the car, washing as much salt off as you can. In Ontario, they use lots of salt, even more than out west.

On your 1983, MB had laready begun rustproofing at the factory, both body panels and undercarriages. That's why a 1983 Honda Accord looks like brown lace curtains and there's lots of 1983 MB's in decent shape.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

I read in the manual about the "lifetime" rustproof that has been applied in the factory and rustproofing such as what I do is not recommended. If I never did this rustproofing and just washed the car I guarantee you it would rust.

My moms new C has the rustproof from factory but we are still gonna go to Krown and get it done every year.

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99 C43
98 S420
99 C230K
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My old Bronco had lifetime rustproofing applied by
an aftermarket company when it was new. The
vehicle was then guaranteed for life not to have
any rust through the body. You had to return
every year for a booster treatment for about
$500. If it ever rusted, you were covered up
to $500. The previous owner spent about
$2000 getting the booster treatments. What
a scam.

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VR
1967 250SL

$500

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99 C43
98 S420
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How did they rustproof, paste dollar bills over the underside?

I use an injector gun, loaded with wax (Dinitrol - great stuff). Runs off a compressor, long injection pipe attached..just stick in holes as far as it will go, inject and withdraw..works great. Only need this every five years or so, and that is with salt. I touch up the underside occasionally using a brush to spot-treat thin areas.

I've been rustproofing cars for over 20 years. I made a hobby out of it. I even picked the brains of corrosion engineers when I was working at Chrysler. There are a few facts I can state:

- Washing alone will not keep a car from rusting. It just helps by removing the dirt that can cause poultice corrosion.

- There are no "lifetime" rustproofing treatments.

- Even a rustproofed car can rust out, unless you can guarantee 100% coverage that won't wash off.

That said, I've been rustproofing my cars for over 20 years with a compound called Texaco Rustproofing Compound. Like jjl, I converted my paint sprayer to spray rustproofing compound. The compound needs to be reapplied every few years, especially in the high wash areas. But I've never had rust on the protected parts. The only rust I've had is where it originated from the outside or in the A- or B-pillars, which are closed sections.

I tried oil. Didn't like it. It disappeared, never lasting the winter and left the metal dry.

I've had mechanics praise my work during buyer inspection. Nothing like rustproofing a car yourself for a job done well.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K