Source for 76 w115 300d engine mounts?

[54dan]

Hey there,

I've decided that the engine mounts in my 1976 w115 300d must be totally hardened and/or missing after buying a w123 300TD and experiencing a merc that doesn't shake you to death. Also, the following thread seems to confirm:
W115 motor mount replacement & subframe removal w/pics

Anyhow, is Mercedes the only source for mounts? I can't find them anywhere.

Any thoughts or recommendations? Replace subframe mounts too, I assume?

Thanks very much!

-Dan S.
Clemson, SC
1976 300D w115
1785 300TD w123

[54dan]

I guess I should get used to this, but got an answer from MB classic center; they ain't cheap:

115 241 08 13 $110.00 each rt and lt motor mounts
123 240 25 18 $280.00 trans mount
Both items are available

[Mike D]

I'm guessing you haven't tried our sponsor, "Fast Lane"?

[54dan]

I did and it says that they are not stocked...

-Dan

[Mike D]

Look at the bottom one of the three or drop Roy (WHunter) an email. They probably haven't corrected their listings in the on line catalog.

To the best of my knowledge the engine mounts interchange. I don't believe their ever was a "left" or a "right". I certainly don't know why there would be a provision for A/C.

[evoldeal]

They are worth the $$$.

I did this project on a 280 and they difference in vibration was huge.

The only place I could find them for my car was from the classic center.

[1975300D]

Do you have a picture of an engine mount? I might have some spares. I don't know what an engine mount looks like.

[alabbasi]

I replaced these on my 300D in the last year. Only place I could find them was at the dealer.

[686point3]

Those of us, who would love to know this for (near) future use, would appreciate, if those of you who have been through this maybe post the part numbers or what the interchange numbers would be ??

That would be awesome and most helpful at this point

Thanks

Alex

[daidnik]

I have a '73 W115 220 with a '74 230 motor. When I overhauled the motor a year ago I replaced the motor mounts. The first mounts I got were Meyle mounts; MB P/N 115 241 0713 which should be correct for L & R for non-A/C config ...

Well, to get right to the point, these mounts did not work out because the engine height was so high with these that the oil cap actually was contacting the hood.

I did some scouring of various contacts and managed to locate an old stock MB mount for the A/C side and once I had this in hand I took the Meyle mounts and the new MB mount and made some measurements of the height vs force on the mounts using a hydraulic lab press with a pressure gauge. This showed clearly that the MB mount had significantly more compression in the 200-400 lb range than the Meyle mounts whicch was a problem for me with the 4-cyl gas motor.

Now in your case, with the heavier diesel motor, these might work well for you. The mounts do appear to be made well, but rubber is a somewhat tricky matter with this compression vs force. I'm virtually certain that the form factor is the same. It certainly appears so in EPC.

Your welcome to give them a try if you want. I don't think shipping would be very costly and the mounts cost me around $25 each, maybe a bit more than that, but you can have them for that if your interested.

If you are interested, you can send me a private email thru the forum.

[686point3]

Originally Posted by daidnik

Well, to get right to the point, these mounts did not work out because the engine height was so high with these that the oil cap actually was contacting the hood.

I did some scouring of various contacts and managed to locate an old stock MB mount for the A/C side and once I had this in hand I took the Meyle mounts and the new MB mount and made some measurements of the height vs force on the mounts using a hydraulic lab press with a pressure gauge. This showed clearly that the MB mount had significantly more compression in the 200-400 lb range than the Meyle mounts which was a problem for me with the 4-cyl gas motor.

Now in your case, with the heavier diesel motor, these might work well for you. The mounts do appear to be made well, but rubber is a somewhat tricky matter with this compression vs force. I'm virtually certain that the form factor is the same. It certainly appears so in EPC.

Your welcome to give them a try if you want. I don't think shipping would be very costly and the mounts cost me around $25 each, maybe a bit more than that, but you can have them for that if your interested.

If you are interested, you can send me a private email thru the forum.

I had read that somewhere else, on the W126 cars they had different motor mounts, because of engine weight and idle vibration differences, from the light 2.8 motor through 300sd to the heavier 4.2 and then 5.6 L engines.
Even though they all look alike doesn't mean they work alike.


point well taken !
Thanks Daidnik

Alex in L.A.

[54dan]

Some parts outlets will list a mount for a '76 300D, but I have determined that those are for 123 cars. As far as I can tell, 115 300D mounts are available only from MB.

So, finally broke down and called MB Classic. What a wonderful experience. They knocked 20% off list (which was WAY less than the local dealer wanted) and even said, "hey, bet you want to put these in this weekend, huh? I can overnight them for $2 more and you'll be set!" Wow, truly amazing customer service.

So, the 115 241 08 13's are on the way. Also planning on doing the front subframe mounts at the same time this weekend. I'll take pictures and will post the results.

-Dan

[54dan]

The new mounts arrived on my doorstep as promised, and I spent the weekend installing them and new front subframe mounts. I lifted the car and placed it on jackstands, then supported the engine by the oil pan. I then removed the tie rod ends, brake flex lines, and shock absorbers. Then I supported the subframe with two floor jacks, removed the engine-to-mount bolts and the four subframe bolts, and lowered the whole assembly.

This gave me easy access to the allen bolts that attach the engine mounts to the subframe. Installed new engine mounts, new subframe mounts, and jacked it all back into place. Took a little finagling to get everything to line up, but overall it was not a big deal at all.

The difference is unbelievable. You hear the engine run but cannot feel it at all. Definitely a very satisfying and worthwhile job to do.

Attached are pics -- note how smooshed the original engine mounts were. The subframe mounts were really trashed.

Have fun and hope this helps someone.

-Dan

[alabbasi]

Those still had a bit of life in them

This is what mine looked like when I replaced it on my 76 300D

[54dan]

Took the car, which now had all new rubber mounts in the front (subframe, engine, and transmission) for a test ride. It was like a new car! I did notice that it seemed to shift slightly differently.

I got back home and opened the hood to admire the now dampened 617. I felt something warm on my foot as I stood in front of the running car. ATF! one of the cooler lines had decided to let go. I quickly shut the car off. It was the short rubber hose on the drivers side of the radiator; the rubber line ripped apart in my hands. I cut off the ferrules and used new hose and hose clamps. It was only down 1.5 quarts, so I was lucky.

I drove the car to work the next day, again reveling in the car's luxurious smoothness. On the way home, it started feeling kind of like I had a flat tire. So, I pulled into a parking lot and took a look. Everything looked fine; I pulled on all the wheels, crawled under and looked at the driveline, all looked OK. I got back in the car and it was fine the rest of the way home (?!).

I got home and jacked up the car and went looking ... only thing I found was that the front flex disc was pretty badly cracked up (I swear it was OK looking when I did the trans mount). I will replace both flex discs...

I think the lesson here is that the engine and trans were essentially rigidly attached with the old hardened mounts. Now, everything jiggles around like it is supposed to and the other hardened rubber pieces have to do a job they haven't done in some time and so are failing. I have driven this car 10K+ miles with no issues prior to all of this.

-Dan