Man - What a job that was. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dpetryk · #1 07-19-2006, 07:22 PM

I just replaced my motor mounts in my 87 420sel. God what a Bi__h that was. I had to remove the brackets on the block before I had access to mounting bolts to the frame. I could not even get the block bolts free until the mount was out.
I had to install one block braket twice since I was not able to get one of the bolts in with the motor mount in place.

Some of you more experienced experts must have some shortcuts for this job. It took me a total of about 8 hours to what looked to be a simple job. I have 2 more cars that need the same repair. Are there some special tools or techniques that would help?

Thanks.

MikeTangas · #2 07-19-2006, 08:54 PM

Dave,

IIRC it was actually pretty simple on the 560. From below, loosen the 6 or 8 mm allen that threads up from inside the frame rail, jack the engine uo an inch or two the loosen the two allen bolt that hold the mount to the frame. Also, I found it easy to remove the main bolt and slide out the heat shield to give more access to the flange bolts. Room was pretty tight, but using a 90* standard allen wrench, metric size of course, I was able to loosen the flange bolts in little bitty turns. No need to remove the arms from the block. Be careful when working on the single main bolts, they are easy to strip.

engatwork · #3 07-19-2006, 09:36 PM

Damn Dave - where in heck have you been? It seems like it has been forever since you have posted. Anyway, it is good to see you post again.

Not familiar with changing mounts on the v8 but they are simple as all get out on the five and six cylinders.

Mistress · #4 07-19-2006, 09:38 PM

Congrats dave- Now go make yourself a drink...

Mike Murrell · #5 07-19-2006, 10:39 PM

I love to DIY, but must say this is one task I pass on and for reason.

It's VERY easy to check the work after it's been done.

The passeneger side mount is in plain sight - very easy to ensure the work was done. Drivers side mount a bit more obscure but may be checked while viewing the transmission mount(car elevated for this - ramps).

Save your DIYER time for the tasks that are harder to verify. It's that sort of work that has a tendency to not REALLY get performed.

G-Benz · #6 07-20-2006, 11:16 AM

I'm with you bro'...

I attempted to replace the motor mounts on my W124 last month...took me the ENTIRE DAY and I didn't finish. Had to take the bracket off the block to complete the passenger side mount. Couldn't get the bottom bolt off the driver's side mount. Had to take it to my indie who had to drill out the old bolt and replace.

To add to that treacherous day, the K1 fix I did on the same day didn't fix anything. In fact, I wound up overfilling the tranny and blowing the pan seal the next day, spewing fluid over the driveway!

Have I learned anything yet? Nope. New Bilstein shocks are here, and I need to tackle that job. Compared to the motor mount job, I hope this one is uneventful...

dpetryk · #7 07-20-2006, 11:46 AM

Hi Jim, Mike & everybody else. I have to admit I have been away from this forum for too long, but I have good reason. My middle son Aaron (16) and I have done a complete frame off restoration on a 78 corvette. I have posted about 700 photos on my personal website of the progress spanning almost 2 years. Literally every bolt and rivet has been removed and or replaced. 12 layers of previous paint jobs removed, the frame was acid dipped & epoxy painted. And we were just getting started. This car is going to be gifted to him when he finishes college. It is one of those father son things that we will never forget. So you can see that I have been very busy. Thank God that the benzes have held up and not needed much attention. Vette is done and now its time to catch up.

Check out the Vette: http://www.davidpetryk.net/

I just acquired a 91 560sel with only 85k in beautiful condition. Literally show room condition inside and out. But it needs all the usual stuff. Weeping & leaking hydraulics, motor mounts, timing chain + plastic parts etc. The good thing is that I installed a 2 post lift and now I dont have to break my back working on these things. The transmission is the wrong one and is showing signs of sickness and So I will rebuild it. I have a spare ready to install that I rebuilt about 4 years ago.

I plan to post a thread named "follow allong as I rebuild the transmission myself" with lotsa pictures. Its easy to do and I think alot of the members would find it very interesting. Be watching for that one. I'm glad to be back.

oxymoron · #8 07-20-2006, 12:06 PM

I thought you might have inhaled too much Green Magic! Welcome back. I saw the Houston car you bought. She's a gem. Looked at your vette site too. Awesome.

You're getting all sunbleached the same way I am.

dpetryk · #9 07-20-2006, 12:15 PM

How did you see the car? And you might be right, I do look a little green.

oxymoron · #10 07-20-2006, 12:19 PM

watching Houston cars on ebay

jriewer · #11 07-20-2006, 12:45 PM

I did the motor mounts on my 420 last year and the job only took me about 2 hours. This finger bit from Craftsman was an impulse purchase while standing in line at Sears and made the job very easy. Working in that tight, obscured space, it made it easy to find the motor mount bolt head and then I snapped on a small socket wrench to start unscrewing the bolt. Once I got it turning, I used just the finger bit to get it out. Replacement was just as easy.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@1340751208.1153413771@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccfhaddiflidkgfcegecegjdghldgfi.0&vertical=SEARS&sid=I0080602410004900085&pid=00941390000

hookedon210s · #12 07-20-2006, 02:41 PM

Years ago when working on 4 and 5cyl diesels I cut approx. 1" off of the long side of a 6mm allen wrench. In instances where there is very little vertical clearance (like 126 V8 motor mount bolts hiding under the engine mounting arms) I insert the 1" 6mm allen wrench into the head of the bolt and use either the box end or open end of a 6mm wrench to turn the stub wrench. Once broken loose one can usually finish removing the bolt by turning the allen stub wrench. The craftsman tool shown in the previous post should take the place of the 6 mm box end wrench provided you obtain a very short allen socket. One other hint, always be sure to use a pick or other suitable tool to clean out any crud from each allen bolt prior to loosening to prevent stripping the head of the bolt. Mark

dpetryk · #13 07-20-2006, 03:37 PM

Thats a great idea, all of them. One of the major problems was just as you said. The allen was loaded with decomposing rubber and a mixture of small gravel bits. It prevented insertion of the allen. I even tried to pick it out and used compressed air several times to clean it out. Never could get it cleared out while it was in the car. I was not able to get the allen to hold so I ended up pressing a 12mm socket over the outside of the bolt using a big C clamp and then using a ratchet handle to break it loose. After that fingers to finish the job.

Well I have two more to go so I think I will try the sawed off allen wrench method next.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions.

cmac2012 · #14 07-21-2006, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpetryk

I just replaced my motor mounts in my 87 420sel. God what a Bi__h that was. I had to remove the brackets on the block before I had access to mounting bolts to the frame. I could not even get the block bolts free until the mount was out.
I had to install one block braket twice since I was not able to get one of the bolts in with the motor mount in place.

Some of you more experienced experts must have some shortcuts for this job. It took me a total of about 8 hours to what looked to be a simple job. I have 2 more cars that need the same repair. Are there some special tools or techniques that would help?

I can relate. I replaced the mounts on my 300SD and it was a bi-awch. For the second one, I bought an extra allen wrench and cut it a custom length and used a crescent wrench on it because the allen socket wouldn't fit in the tight space -- the socket body was too big.

Jim B. · #15 07-21-2006, 01:42 AM

That Vette looks gorgeous. Enjoy it.

Your 560SEL is going to be fine too!!