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MikeTangas 10-26-2001 06:44 PM

Advice on 560 SEL
 
560 fans, here's the deal. I decided to pass on the '84 380SE Euro and now I have the opportunity to pick up an '86 SEL for better than half off the going rate for comparable mileage models.

The problem with it is that the front flex disc gave out under speed. Beat the tar out of the driveshaft, tranny hump and the tail shaft of the slush box, also took out the shifter linkage and tranny mount. All repairable items. For some reason the airbag deployed when the flex disc gave out, but that can be replaced too.

I'm thinking I could probably just replace the tail shaft housing as it appears to be replaceable rather than trying to replace the entire tranny. Any idea of possible problems with repairing in this fashion?

The car has 166K on the clock, engine is reasonably clean, with only one valve cover leaking a bit. The engine is clean enough that I could see the bright aluminum of the block while we had it in the air today. Fired the engine up and listened to it run, sound very good. I ran the engine for quite a while, temp and oil pressure looked good, of course with the drive shaft out of commission there was any test drive. All bushings and mounts appear in good shape as well. The interior is in need of a good cleaning though.

Body has one minor dent in the rear face of the trunk lid, other than that appears clean. There are no records with the car and it will have a salvage title, but the title isn't important to me. Judging by the cleanliness of the under side of the block, the car had some loving care in the past. The self leveling system appears intact with no leaks at the rear reservoirs.

Anything else I should concern myself with? (MPG isn't one of them as it can't be worse than the 4.5 ;))

MIKE FREEMAN 10-26-2001 06:55 PM

A THROWN DRIVE SHAFT DOES NOT SPELL "LOVE AND CARE"
CHECK AND PROBABLY REPLACE TIMING CHAIN,TENSIONER AND RAILS.
CHECK CONDITION OF VALVE GUIDES AND SEALS.
MF

MikeTangas 10-26-2001 07:13 PM

A timing chain check and possible replacement, along with upper chain rails, is one of the things at the top of my to do list should I go for it. Guides and seals can be checked at the same time, thanks for bringing those up.

Rich126 10-26-2001 09:41 PM

How much are they asking for this project?

stevebfl 10-27-2001 11:58 AM

I have repaired a 300E that met such a demise. I thoroughly agree with Mike's comment about the condition of any vehicle owned by someone that could let such things happen. My customer was well known for only fixing things when they wouldn't work any more. The car was a POS.

With that said, the repair will probaly require a new driveshaft section and a new tailhousing (easy repair). The real cost will be the airbag system. You will need a new bag and controller. While sometimes available used, these parts new are probably around $2k combined.

MikeTangas 10-27-2001 03:56 PM

I agree that letting the flex disc go to the point it came apart is not indicative of good care. But, again I have no history, judgng by the condition of the underside of the block (clean) and the fact it has MB coolant I believe it had seen some proper care in the past. I'm thinking a second owner let things slide.

The average 560SEL with similar mileage in these parts is fetching $7,500-$9,000. My price on this one is less than $4K, which includes the flex disc, drive shaft, tail housing and air bag (self labor though ;)).

Question on the air bag controller. Why does it need to be changed, is it a "one use" type system? If that is the case, and it has to be changed I'll try to get it as part of the deal too. Any ideas on why the bag would deploy when the flex disc gave out? There is no evidence of an impact which would have enough force to deploy the bag, other than the underside of the tranny hump, which took a beating.

stevebfl 10-27-2001 04:03 PM

The crash profile sensor is mounted on the tunnel right behind the radio. Right above the driveshaft coupling. I wouldn't advise smacking it with a hammer either.

Yes one strike and its out on that model.

MikeTangas 10-27-2001 04:23 PM

Thanks Steve. That explains why it deployed, makes sense given it's location. Will try to get the controller as part of the deal.

Quote:

I wouldn't advise smacking it with a hammer either.
Dang, takes all the fun out of it, especially since I have a nice collection of fine watchmakers hammers :).


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