Hello everyone;

My '74 280 has been calling me from the garage and I have a few questions. The car needs front shocks and it looks like a simple job...is this true? Or do I need a shock compressor? Blisten comforts I presume.....

The front brake rotors look pretty good but the pads are shot. On other cars I've never had a problem just putting on pads. Anyone have any suggestions?

Another strange thing is that the power steering resevour (spelling!) does not have a filter. I think it is supposed too. The fliud is BLACK.

One thing I did finally do ( courtesy of information on this list) was polish the brass on the heater control valve. Wow! Night and day difference, in fact once I get the car running again I bet the heater finally works!

Its back to the old Benz for me the car is just too cool to be sitting around. Plus my broken toe is yearning for an automatic to drive around.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

1974 W114 280 Blue...looks pretty cool without the hubcaps!

I'd go with the Bilstein or, alternately, Boge. Usually, the gas shocks come with a strap or wire to hold the shocks in the compressed position. Without this retainer, it's tricky, but not impossible, to compress the shocks by hand during installion.

Best procedure for pad replacement is to open each caliper bleeder before pressing the caliper pistons back, that way you get rid of old, nasty brake fluid, refill with fresh and easily see if any pistons are stuck. You might consider new rubber brake hoses too if they haven't been replaced in the last several years. Even if they look OK, the hoses tend to deteriorate as they age and plug up internally.

There may be a round wafer type filter at the bottom of the PS reservoir but you might not see it unless you drain the flud.

I'm now reviving my automatic '72 250 as I'm also recovering from a recent foot injury (plus, it's blocking in a car I just sold last weekend!)

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Yes, you should be able to just throw new pads on there. If your rotors are badly grooved orout of round then you may want to have them turned, otherwise just throw the shoes on and you are good to go.

Black fluid in the power steering? that's not good. Change that asap. My car uses ATF fluid there so it is red/maroon.

Good luck

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

second on the hoses! they can look fine, but be swollen inside

Could you post a link or expound on the cleaning of the heater control valve? Did you have to drain coolant and remove it?
My 115 heater levers are becoming stiff.

Thanks

BTW, front shocks are easy. Just make sure you support the lower control arm as the shocks serve as a stop. I'm not sure but if it were to hang loose without the shock in there, the spring might pop out.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Most common mistake on the shocks is over-torquing the top nuts... its like they can be tightened to oblivion. Hell, I'd even count the number of threads exposed on the old shocks then replicate this setting.

If new shocks come with straps or tape holding em tight - leave those straps in place until partway through the installation. For rear shocks you've gotta have a spring compressor. It can be a tricky job.

Am in agreement with bleeding the brakes and flushing the system too.... gotta use DOT 4 fluid because DOT 3 will push right past the master cylinder rubber seals - a question of viscosity and heat resistance.

I dont think MB discs can be turned on account of they being thin to begin with. A question of ending up with really skinny rotors prone to warping, assuming the machineshop work doesnt warp them by itself.

Plenty of times I've installed new pads on grooved rotors without any problem...... merely some rumbling until new pads get seated and wear to the grooves over a matter of maybe 3 weeks.

On draining/flushing the PS pump - I swear to God the standard procedure is to unhook the line *from* the steering box to the pump and crank the engine to pump out the fluid.

This is one case where i buy authentic Mercedes Benz Dealership power steering gear oil ($9.00) because I've heard that modern ATF can mess with seals on older vehicles. Always fun to show your face at the dealership occasionally with vintage car. I've never been there without meeting at least one gorgeous babe in the waiting room. And the parts guy can provide a wealth of information. Nevermind snooty salespeople, the parts and repair crew appreciate DIY'ers and will happily talk cars with someone they recognize as one of their own kind.

Yes, the pancake filter is available and could be overlooked as it sits in bottom of the jar. You've got to release the spring to find it.

And BTW, the wingnut on the PS cannister is exact match for the air filter cover..... something worth scrounging at junkyards as mechanics frequently steal the original air filter wingnut, makin em scarce.

Yeah, lets hear about cleaning up the heater valves in another thread. This is something i oughta do.

Thanks for all the replies. I will post a heater valve thread. Please note that I have not started the car yet so the verdict is still out a little on my cleaning job. Can you really meet gorgeous babes waiting for service in the parts department?

That would be nice I think...really nice...

Mark

1974 280 - kept it instead of getting that 64' Deville...hope I'm not crazy!

Hell yes, you can!! There's always beautiful housewives and upscale georgeous babes in the waiting room, if not big-titted secretaries working nearby. The typical MB dealership has cable tv and free coffee in luxury surroundings where folks can kick back and relax.

It doesnt matter if you are driving a smoking jallopy or brand new CLK when you make your entrance. Although driving an older car always generates more interest. I once lied to one young lady that my old car, left noisily idling and rattling within earshot outside for 20 minutes, had 1/2 million miles on it. She looked at me as though she wanted to hug and kiss me, makin me feel like a celebrity among common folk with very low mileage cars.

I'm sure but the only dealer in this town is waytoo big of an arse for me to give him any of my business; and the ldies tend to by too snooty for my liking anyway...

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon