Hi All;

I've been trying to troubleshoot a troubling "clank" that happens in the driver's side steering of my w118 when I turn the wheel. When I opened the hood, I instantly noticed a broken washer/spacer type item sticking out. It looks like it's a spacer that goes between the engine bracket and the motor mount.

I was able to pull it out easily (though I can see that getting a new one in is going to be a different problem). For reference, here's a pic showing it removed. The cutaway shows the hole where the companion bolt usually goes.




I took the part down to the local MB dealer and he couldn't find a # on it. The diagram shows some sort of washer there, but it's described as a "spring washer" instead of a stepped spacer, as shown in the pic.

Does anyone know what this piece is called, or where I might find one? I'm in an area where MB's aren't very popular, so I don't think I'll have much luck at the wrecking yards.

Many thanks!

Chasmo



[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 11-01-2000).]

Looks like the bolt was too long & someone made the spacer. Get the correct new bolt & washer. By diconnecting spark plug wire & plug you can reinstall bolt. Many times the motor mount is hard to line up with the support.

The spacer actually goes below the engine bracket, resting between the bracket and the top of the engine mount. When the bolt is in place it tightens directly down on the bracket hole shown in the cutaway pic.

There's a similar spacer (unbroken) on the other side. The prev. owner mentioned that he had the engine mounts replaced, so I guess it's possible that someone fashioned the spacer assembly themselves. Sure looks like stock though.

Does anyone know if this is the case? This is the 4.5 engine.

Thanks Again,

Chas

Chasmo,

If I have enough time tomorrow before it gets dark, I'll take a close look at my mounts to see if they have the same spacer. And, If I can remember to bring the digital camera home from work, I'll grab a picture too.

------------------
Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

On the W108 chassis like yours the motor mount should have what looks like a nut welded to mount where the arm sits. From picture shown I can't see one. Looks like SL mounts instead.
(maybe the fan was too low & hitting the shroud)
------------------
MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN (6 TIMES)
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. Shopforeman
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA racecar

[This message has been edited by M.B.DOC (edited 11-02-2000).]

Chasmo,

Forgot to grab the digital, but my mount looks completely different. My mounts look like long struts which terminate at the sub-frame, where the mount appears to flare out into a plate. Unfortunately I can't see what the rubber portion of the mount looks like without putting it up on ramps. There is one bolt centered at the frame end of the mount, which I assume secures to the rubber. On the driver's side there is also a bracket where a small shock absorber is attached. I don't see a similar attachment point in your picture, but that may be a difference in model years.

------------------
Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

[This message has been edited by MikeTangas (edited 11-02-2000).]

Thanks to both of you. In the process of finding an answer I also learned a lot more about my car than I'd expected.

On MBDoc's tip, I started to wonder if someone had added the stepped washer as a spacer. I tracked down the MB mechanic the previous owner said had worked on the car, hoping to ask him whether there was some reason he had to raise the engine an inch or so.

He said he'd never met the previous owner (it's a small town and he remembers practically every car and owner he's serviced), but he did know the car. Evidently it was purchased new in Europe by a Department of Forestry official, who sold it to the guy I bought it from. He said the original owner took very good care of the car, so it's probably in pretty good shape.

He doesn't recall doing anything special to the motor mount, and suspects that someone may have added the spacers later to make the fan clear the shroud (as MB Doc suggests).

I thought maybe I'd give it the DIY try and replace the broken washer with a spacer of equal size, but after an hour or so of struggling to raise and position the engine with a floor jack and a 2 x 12, I realize that I don't have the tools to get that mount bolt back into place.

Instead I decided to go ahead and take it to the mechanic, who was after all very helpful. He can't look at it for a week and a half, so I'll be driving around in a "classic" '82 Chevy Chevette until my MB is back on the road. BTW, if you ever want a nice contrast, slide into a Chevette after driving around in a vintage MB for a few months. Aaaaahhh.. the smell of cat urine...the feel of pot metal and vinyl...takes me back...

I plan to have him check out some other stuff to, such as why the beast gets 8mpg when it seems to be running like a top.

BTW, my original post said my "118", which was a typo obviously. This is a classic 108.

Many thanks again.