W126 Expansion Valve
 

Hi all,

I did the expansion valve on our 1989 560SEL. This is far less intimidating than one might think - the worst part is just figuring out how to get to it.

I did a pictoral which can be found here. Should save time for anyone planning to do this.

Please make sure you have the right wrench sizes for your year and model - the CD said I needed a 24mm crowsfoot, which was simply not the case. I don't know if it has to do with the model year.

After filling up the system (not described here) and fixing other leaks caused by, ahem, "inexact" workmanship by myself, the system has held pressure wonderfully over a week now.

Many thanks to CTaylor of this board for his help, especially for magically producing perfectly fitting "O" rings out of his garage after we found a compressor flange leak while attempting to fill the system!

please check your personal message box
 

as stated above
thanx,spo:)

Nice writeup!

Now, do you have any insight into the shifter bushings, or the driver's window regulator, or why the right rear window might not go down? :)

-Tad

Tad,

Bushings I had done by a shop - they did it without even asking me, it was so routine. Charged me very little in parts and labor. So I can't give you any details.

I can tell you something about the windows, though.

My left rear window failed soon after I bought the car. I removed the door panel (sorry, this was before I got my digital camera), and found a little plastic part having gone to car parts heaven. After a little research I found that this is common, and is a wear part designed to fail (and keeping the rest of the mechanism in good shape). Removed the armature, drilled out the old rivet, pounded in the new part (the only pain, because I did not get the rivet of the new part to look as neat as the original), reassembled everything - window works flawlessly.

Total costs: $7.75 (two years ago)