Sweet 116

[royalpagoda]

My '78 450 SEL has a couple of issues:

1) The steering wheel seems to "telescope" somewhat and when it goes forward toward the dash, the horns blow. Why is this?

2) My sunroof doesn't open anymore but I can still hear the motor whirring away when I mash the button. Is this hard to fix? Spring is here and that sunroof is just begging to be opened up!

Other than that, this car has been a wonderous machine for the past two years I've owned it. I picked it up from the original owner for $2200 after he had just had a professional shop replace the bamboo leather (including leather doorpanels!). She cleans up well and my boys love to ride around in it... what more could I ask for (besides 1 & 2 above )?

I'll try to post some pics sometime soon.

[rchase]

Very nice. I myself would love to find a 116 in good condition as they are getting harder and harder to find lately. Actually the first MB I ever lusted after was a 116 chassis.

As for the sunroof my 126 did the same thing and it was the clutch for sunroof motor. The motor and clutch assembly for the 123's and 126's are in the trunk and are driven by a flexible shaft that hides under the headliner. Not sure about the 116.

[w116.org]

That telescopic steering wheel doesn't seem good at all... What part exactly is moving? The only part of the wheel that should be moving is the large center horn pad.

[royalpagoda]

Thanks RCHASE! Never a moment of buyer's remorse.

I did take it to a local sunroof repair place and I told the owner of the shop that I had a sunroof issue on my Mercedes (note: I didn't think to specify what kind of MB) and he was like, "no problem, that sounds like a simple fix". Then we walked out into the parking lot and he saw that it was a 116 and then he said, "Oh no... not THAT car!" Apparently he had worked on other 116s in the past and had said that sunroof issues like that were a pain to deal with. He gave me a brief overview of the trunk-based motor and drive belt sandwiched between the headliner and roof. So it sounds very similar to what you have.

A few months ago I took it to a local MB repair shop and the guy said he did that kind of trim work although it might destroy the headliner.

Is this even worth it? My 5-year old seems to think so but then again he isn't paying the bills... yet.

[royalpagoda]

W116.org...

The entire wheel moves in and out. Like a true telescopic wheel except it is really loose. I must lightly support the weight of the wheel while I'm driving or else it will hunker down and the horns blow (btw, I've learned that people really don't like to hear those twins blaring). The first couple of times it happened I wasn't sure what was causing it.

I know that I'm in line for a new steering gearbox... could it be failing to the point that it is causing this to happen? The car still steers OK although there does appear to be a bit of play in the wheel that wasn't there a few months ago.

I'm taking it to the shop next week. Plus, I'm going to order some new Bilsteins for it. The Michelins might be a bit later... looking for the right deal.

[alabbasi]

Could it be that the steering wheel is not bolted down tightly?

[royalpagoda]

Now that would be the easy solution wouldn't it??? I've had a bunch of old cars and none of them have ever done this before so I guess I figured it had to be something more complex. But maybe you are right. I'll check it out this wknd. Thanks for bringing a ray of simplicity into my life!

[rchase]

Originally Posted by royalpagoda

Thanks RCHASE! Never a moment of buyer's remorse.

I did take it to a local sunroof repair place and I told the owner of the shop that I had a sunroof issue on my Mercedes (note: I didn't think to specify what kind of MB) and he was like, "no problem, that sounds like a simple fix". Then we walked out into the parking lot and he saw that it was a 116 and then he said, "Oh no... not THAT car!" Apparently he had worked on other 116s in the past and had said that sunroof issues like that were a pain to deal with. He gave me a brief overview of the trunk-based motor and drive belt sandwiched between the headliner and roof. So it sounds very similar to what you have.

A few months ago I took it to a local MB repair shop and the guy said he did that kind of trim work although it might destroy the headliner.

Is this even worth it? My 5-year old seems to think so but then again he isn't paying the bills... yet.

Mercedesssource.com has a book on how to do sunroof repair. BUT let me tell you the issues I ran into before you get all excited with a DIY project.

1. The motor for my 126 is $400 new. I was able to locate a used one for $100. You can't just replace the clutch it has to be the clutch and motor. And of course being in the trunk its an absolute horror to deal with.

2. My sunroof cable was worn out. Another $60 for a used sunroof cable.

3. You can get to most of the messyness in the trunk but you have to remove a greased cable through the front of your car near your pristine interior.

4. If the sunroof cable tube is kinked you have to rip out the headliner to replace it.

5. There are a series of metal clips that hold the sunroof cable tube to the motor that tend to get really weak when you remove them. If they don't hold the cable will force its way out of the tube and bend it in the process. (don't ask me how I know bad memories).

6. Two years after I tried repairing my sunroof I got tired of screwing with it and have not touched it since. Im still looking for the clips to hold the motor to the tube and am hoping that the tube is not bent to the point of needing replacement.

There were a number of 123's 126's and 116's with manual sunroofs. If you do a search someone actually was able to convert their power sunroof to a manual roof with the parts from a donor car. If you dive in and discover problems you might be able to convert it to manual.

I have all the parts for my 126 sunroof in the trunk and eventually will take it to my independant and have him deal with it. I am very very very lucky to have a very skilled independent mechanic/parts dealer here in Atlanta.

[royalpagoda]

Turns out that there is a coupler on/for the steering column in the vacinity of the firewall. It was shot so they replaced it and the steering gearbox and now I am back in action! I read another thread about replacement Bilsteins so I ordered some rear shocks (the fronts are okay I think).

[alabbasi]

Nice, so where are the pictures?

[royalpagoda]

pics to arrive shortly. They're on the home computer.