My driver's side spring perch finally gave way. I cut out the beat up spring perch using a grinder and dremel cutting wheel. I also grinded out a small hole of rust and cleaned up the work area with a metal polishing wheel. I then primed the area and got it ready to install the strike plate.

The area is in good shape, less the small area of rust, and that is why I decided on the strike plate. Had there been more and wider rust issues, I would have bought the repair plate and installed it.

The stealer in my area wanted $1850 to do the work...spare me please! Thus, I was motivated to do it all myself. Nobody in my area would weld it, so I am committed to Riveting in in. The stealer told me that it would take 40 rivets! Thats a lot of Rivets, but I have them ready to install. Others have successfully used the pneumatic 1/4" rivet gun from Harbor Freight to install the MB rivets and have said its easy and the least of worries. Drilling the holes for the rivets is the real work.

Thats a lot of Rivets to put on this strike plate and common sense will help you figure it out along with the photo above. It will be very secure when I am done. I am also changing out the Springs and Shocks after I install the strike plate/spring perch.

I am taking photos of my progress and plan to give peach parts a good write up on this and hopefully this will help other DIYers. This is my weekend to get it all done and get my Benz back on the road.

Pabster