weekend Wrenching

[alabbasi]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Al, I think James May would like a word with you.
__________________
Current:
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Limited
1999 Chrysler 300M - 213,xxx

I'm not sure I understand! why do you own a minivan? Have I been gone that long?

[Tomguy]

6.75, assuming that means a few Rolls from the 70s/80s.

As for the minivan, I have 2 kids, I liked the ride... but man I miss the Hemi too much!!

[alabbasi]

Then I have been gone for a while. Congratulations!

[Tomguy]

Thanks! My oldest is 6... I had a Jeep before, I just got the Pacifica in July or so... you might've just missed that, laugh. I'm very tempted to go back to a GC again, or a Durango, or Explorer EcoBoost (or Expedition). Maybe even a Sequoia. I need to do some test drives.

[alabbasi]

We should get you back in an old Mercedes. Maybe an ML55?

[Tomguy]

I've looked at S55 and E55 as potential replacements for my 300M, if it ever dies.

[alabbasi]

Talking about S55's, I finally put mine on the lift to as I've been getting a seriously annoying squeak from the drivers side. I initially ordered a set of ball joints and front control arms (there are two front control arms on a W220, a front and a back one)

Upon inspection, the tie rods also look loose and I can see a visible tear in the rear control arm bushing so I'll be doing a full rebuild on the front end.

I'm wondering if anyone knows off the top of their heads which is the correct lower control arm bushing for the rear position front control arm on a W220 with ABC (specifically 05 S55).

I show 220 330 91 07 and 220 333 31 14

Bushings are about $20/each and the control arms are closer to $250

The rear drivers side ABC shock seems weak also as the inner tire is down to the cord on that side. The suspension itself looks fine so it must be sitting low.

Ball Joint adapter has been ordered.

[alabbasi]

So I did a little more work on the SLK320. I got the immobilizer wiring removed and the wires soldered up together. I really suck at soldering but it's holding up. This car is not in great shape. Aside from the wreck, the guy who owned it must have been a real slob because it's nasty inside. The top hydraulics do not work, the top cylinder leaks and the headliner is missing.

It does run pretty decently which is a good thing.

Here's a quick video update:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsA3HrVCsFE&t=6s

[alabbasi]

So I made my first effort at doing a structural repair on a car today. This is on the 2001 SLK320 6 speed that was hit in the front. I was able to strap the core support which had been caved in by either a pole or a tow hitch to a come along which was chained to an 8 inch metal beam and pull on core support piece until it came mostly out.

It took some serious force to bring the core support out and I had to use a 5 ft piece of square tubing for leverage.

[mercmad6.3]

G'day Al, yes it takes some force to undo the effects of a smash on a car. I have a draw bench here which I used to pull a 6.3 back into shape after hidden accident damage was revealed when I was changing it's gear box. You should have reference point under the car where you can measure from to each corner of the front section to determine if the panel is pulled far enough out. mine uses a hydraulic ram to exert 20 tons of pressure . here is a link to youtube star Arthur Tussiks method to straighten out chassis .https://youtu.be/fUz355JmMa8

[alabbasi]

So I picked this up yesterday. It's a 61 C111 220SEB with a 4 speed. Last on the road in 2009

Is it my dream car or my nightmare?

[Todd Miller]

Always hard to see the Coupes in this condition. It's hard to believe that such beautiful and expensive, hand built cars would see such treatment, and ultimately wind up like this. That's fantastic that it has a sunroof and manual transmission. Is it 4 on the floor?

[alabbasi]

Originally Posted by Todd Miller

Is it 4 on the floor?

Yes it is. It's odd, it seems like it's had a skim coat of filler all over it even though the body seems pretty solid underneath. Fortunately Harbor Freight has their drum sander on sale this weekend. I'll buy the extended warranty.

[rumb]

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Yes it is. It's odd, it seems like it's had a skim coat of filler all over it even though the body seems pretty solid underneath. Fortunately Harbor Freight has their drum sander on sale this weekend. I'll buy the extended warranty.

I got one of these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wagner-4-1-2-in-Paint-Eater-Disc-Sander-0513040/202102612


Works great and pads are not that expensive.

[Todd Miller]

IMO, it's definitely worth saving, and maybe it's an extremely solid body/structure. That front license plate dates to when the car was new, so I'm thinking; if the car has been in TX it's entire life, maybe it's not all rotted underneath? (My car is completely destroyed underneath)

Can you tell what color it originally was?

There's a seller in CA on ebay who has the entire side fender/body panels for sale if you've got someone who could cut that section of the car out and weld in a factory panel. My car needs that side replaced as well, due to massive rust.

Anyway, it's an amazing find. Looking forward to seeing the work on it.