400E brakes on early 124 - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ps2cho · #76 03-27-2010, 12:23 PM

Here's a video of my Soda Blaster power!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNLPSsxY5Dc

First coat of paint...Will take some better pictures when I finish all the coats...

How many coats would you recommend for those who have done this before? I was thinking 5-6? That enough?

gsxr · #77 03-28-2010, 10:50 PM

Hey, that soda blaster looks cool! Where did you get it? Also, how much media did you use to clean up the calipers, and what was the total cost?

ps2cho · #78 03-29-2010, 12:53 AM

It's just an addon for a compressor...my dad already had the attachment (from Harbor Freight) so I just got a long tube to reach into the bag. We taped an old bolt to the end to hold it down.

Total cost was the 5lbs bag of Baking Soda... The reason you use baking soda is because it is non-abrasive. You can spray it all over the seals without fear of damage. Do not use fine sand as some people suggest!

You can buy portable soda blasters, but they can get expensive. If you already have a semi-decent compressor the adapter shouldn't cost much.
I probably only used about 2lbs worth of baking soda to get it that clean as shown. Baking soda is dirt cheap.

As I said though, it's crazy messy!

EDIT: Can't find it anymore on the site...but if you have a compressor you can probably use this and just do a slight modification to put a tube on in place of the bag so you don't have to keep filling it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96972

ps2cho · #79 03-29-2010, 01:08 PM

Here's a pic of the addon

JohnM. · #80 03-29-2010, 11:59 PM

Look what you did to that poor grass.

ps2cho · #81 03-30-2010, 12:39 AM

Well there are two puppies that the grass...if you can call it grass...don't seem to enjoy having them play on top of it

So caliper > grass

Glad the neighbors didn't notice/say anything about the clouds of white smoke filling the air during the events

Next up is mounting them! Stay tuned!

ps2cho · #82 04-27-2010, 10:14 PM

Ready to rock tomorrow. I got everything I need.

My measurements tonight prior to drop:
FR: 15.8"
FL: 15.7"
RL: 15"
RR: 15.5"

Seem about right for Bilstein sports and stock shocks? I do have a big sub box, spare tire and lots of safety fluids in the trunk so I would guess that is why the rear sits quite a bit lower?

gsxr · #83 04-27-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

My measurements tonight prior to drop:
FR: 15.8"
FL: 15.7"
RL: 15"
RR: 15.5"

Oh my, that is WAY tall. I know the early 124's had really jacked-up ride heights (later reduced by a good amount, somewhere around 1988 I think) but sheesh that is way up there. That's even taller than my old 1986 300E which was 15.5" up front, and 15.0" in the rear with a full tank. You'll probably end up closer to 14" all around after you swap in Eibach lowering springs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

Seem about right for Bilstein sports and stock shocks? I do have a big sub box, spare tire and lots of safety fluids in the trunk so I would guess that is why the rear sits quite a bit lower?

Probably - you may need to tweak the height via the spring pads. I try to get the front & rear heights matching with a full tank of fuel, and whatever standard equipment you usually have in the trunk (i.e., the sub box & fluids). This might mean you use a thinner pad up front and thicker in the rear, but you'll have to experiment a bit.

JohnM. · #84 04-27-2010, 10:34 PM

You will like the ride quality and new handling possibilities. It's a completely different car afterwards. I wouldn't consider owning a W124 without sport suspension. Get an alignment right after. And enjoy your crazy rear negative camber and new rear tires every 5-10K!

gsxr · #85 04-27-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM.

You will like the ride quality and new handling possibilities. It's a completely different car afterwards. I wouldn't consider owning a W124 without sport suspension.

I agree... it makes a world of difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM.

Get an alignment right after.

Highly recommended to take it to the dealer for alignment - indy shops will almost never do it properly. Make SURE you tell them to use the "Sports Chassis" alignment specs, which will be an option in the dealer's computer alignment system. Also ask for a before & after printout so you can see the numbers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM.

And enjoy your crazy rear negative camber and new rear tires every 5-10K!

The tire wear is tolerable with wheels/tires that are not much wider than stock, but otherwise, you either get a camber correction kit or burn up the inside of the rear tires. On a street car, forget K-Mac (they squeak, and monkey with rear ride height) and any of the adjustable camber arms... I've tried both and had problems with them. Just get the RDM TEK shortened rear LCA's, they work perfectly. I have them on 3 of my cars with excellent results. Well worth the cost!!

JohnM. · #86 04-27-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

The tire wear is tolerable with wheels/tires that are not much wider than stock, but otherwise, you either get a camber correction kit or burn up the inside of the rear tires. On a street car, forget K-Mac (they squeak, and monkey with rear ride height) and any of the adjustable camber arms... I've tried both and had problems with them. Just get the RDM TEK shortened rear LCA's, they work perfectly. I have them on 3 of my cars with excellent results.

I have SPC Perf. rear camber bushings in my car. HD rubber, they perform very well. Cost less than the K-MAC. They are a local Colorado suspension tuning company. Mainly make stuff for the japanese imports. My W124 was the first to have these bushings installed (before they were even for sale), I was not sure at first, but they have held up for the last 40K with no issues whatsoever. Brought neg camber from -3.5~ to -1.5~.

ps2cho · #87 04-28-2010, 12:32 AM

Yes it sits high...you can see why I wish to lower it so!
I'll tackle camber issues later as these tires only have about 30% tread left anyway. I am doing tie rods as well so I will make sure to get an alignment at the dealership.

Calipers are painted and ready as well, but that swap should be easy. I'm just removing the shields and will see how it goes. I should be able to splice in the low pad sensors right?

gsxr · #88 04-28-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnM.

I have SPC Perf. rear camber bushings in my car. HD rubber, they perform very well. Cost less than the K-MAC. They are a local Colorado suspension tuning company. Mainly make stuff for the japanese imports. My W124 was the first to have these bushings installed (before they were even for sale), I was not sure at first, but they have held up for the last 40K with no issues whatsoever. Brought neg camber from -3.5~ to -1.5~.

Got a link to the website and/or photos of the bushings?

teezer · #89 04-28-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

Got a link to the website and/or photos of the bushings?

http://www.spcalignment.com/PROD_DIR/SPC_PROD_SEARCH_DYN.cfm?cmd=Cam&cmd2=28840&cmd3=

gsxr · #90 04-28-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teezer

http://www.spcalignment.com/PROD_DIR/SPC_PROD_SEARCH_DYN.cfm?cmd=Cam&cmd2=28840&cmd3=

Interesting setup! That looks like it might work quite well. What is the cost, since they don't put pricing on the website?

Next, do they have an equivalent solution for the rear tie rods? When the camber is corrected, the tie rods often don't have enough adjustment range... that's why the K-Mac kit include bushings for additional adjustment of both camber & toe. ALl their catalog says for toe adjustment is "OEMA" which is useless, since they don't explain what that is supposed to mean - unless it's "OEM Adjustable", which still doesn't help, as the problem is lack of adjustment range, not lack of adjustment capability.