hi all,

my 1983 300 sd was vibrating excessively. so i asked the mechanic to take a look when i was changing the oil and auto transmission fluid.

he called back sometime later and said the mounts needed to be changed and quoted $280 for parts+labor. i said ok, go ahead. he called back a few hours later and said that there are some problems and he couldn't do it.

when i went to pick up the car, he said the "subframe" on which the engine rests is cracked. he says i need to go to a body shop to get it welded. he says he's changed lots of mounts but he's seen "nothing like this" and that he wouldn't even drive the car in the current state.

it seems to drive ok to me. the vibration problem is apparent only at idle and low speeds. when driving at normal speeds (>20 mph), nothing feels out of place.

1. Anybody else faced this problem before?

2. Approximately how much will it cost to fix the problem?

3. Do you know a reliable body shop in the bay area where i can take my car?

Thanks a lot for any help!

Ranga

San Francisco Bay
Tampa Bay
Green Bay
Old Bay
About a billion other bays

Clue us in, where do you live??

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No matter how many times you explain it to me, I'm still right.....Surf-n-Turf

I've rebuilt the front end of both my 126s. I don't remember which one, but I thought I had the same problem. I saw cracks and thought what the heck held this thing together. It turned out to be some sort of undercoating layer that was cracked, not the frame itself. Look close, you might have the same condition.

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

sorry i forgot to write where i live. too upset by the news of the "cracked frame". thanks for the news about the coating! i hope this is nothing too serious.

if you get the right welder its realy cheap

Perhaps I'm not clear as to what you are talking about exactly. Are you talking about the subframe mounts for the rear suspension? Or are you talking about where the engine mounts are located?

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Hi SD Blue,

Thanks for your reply! I mean the place where the engine mounts.

I just finished crawling under the engine to check things out. I could see that the engine is not mounted properly (the rubber pieces seem to have been dislocated). But I'm not sure I saw any crack in the subframe. But I wasn't able to examine the underside minutely (I'll raise the car tomorrow and do that).

Thanks for the replies! Any leads for a welder (if I require one) in the Sunnyvale/Palo Alto/Mt. View area would be highly appreciated.

Ranga

i doubt the actual subframe is cracked.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Check out the tab labeled "Buy Parts" at the top of the MercedesShop.com page.

My bet is on Mounts for around $40.00 and a couple three hours labor and you're set...(probably a good idea to also R&R the motor shock and mount if they haven't been done)

Double check with your mechanic to understand why and where he thinks it really needs welding. (I'd be leery of welding on an oily ol'mercedes if I did'nt understand them so well) Could be he is just 'fraid on account of the liability...

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Bama1


2008 SLK 280, Firemist Red - "Hurricane"
2001 F150 Lariat 4x4, Black on Black - "Badboy"
1982 240D 4 speed survivor -"Pearl" - Donated to Vietnam Veterans
1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 -"Gertrude"

1954 model original owner - ~2.5M
Gray softtop/solid exterior/modified chassis