My bad luck - slipping in the rain - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JWJ · #1 04-12-2007, 12:37 AM

My '83 300D slipped in the rain today and rear ended a Mazda 626.

No damage to the Mazda.

However, the 300D has broken headlights, grill, and radiator.

So, what years and models can I salvage a radiator from?

Is this an easy replacement?

Lycoming-8 · #2 04-12-2007, 01:03 AM

The W123 TD's were turbo from '81 - '85, and coupe and sedans from '82 thru '85. 126 chassis SD's should also have the same radiators, and they ran from '81 thru '85 with the 617 engine. SD's in the 116 chassis also used the 617 engine, so their radiators may also be usable.

Other than the coolant replacement and dealing with air burping issues, the tranny fluid, and oil cooler mount, does not look like too bad a situation.

Cervan · #3 04-12-2007, 01:11 AM

so your telling me.... that a 3 ton car rear ended a 1ton chineese cheap plastic everywhere peice of crap and it didnt leave a dent but you walked away with a broken grill radiator and headlights? wtf

bgkast · #4 04-12-2007, 01:16 AM

I'm guessing the car was "diving" and it's bumper was below the Mazda's at impact.

JWJ · #5 04-12-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

I'm guessing the car was "diving" and it's bumper was below the Mazda's at impact.

Yes, we were doing down an on ramp. I was shocked at the damage to my car especially when seeing no damage to the Mazda.

Mustang_man298 · #6 04-12-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

so your telling me.... that a 3 ton car rear ended a 1ton chineese cheap plastic everywhere peice of crap and it didnt leave a dent but you walked away with a broken grill radiator and headlights? wtf

Ahh but you forget , other than the diving part, the Mazda probably has those neoprene skin bumpers on it, which pop right out after being bumped usually. What you DON"T see is where the damage hides, the styromfoam padding underneath is probably mashed and the stamped tin bumper frame is probably bent, most people never see inside those and have no clue...
Yours showed the damage as its all solid non flexible parts on the front, and it was all the "soft" parts that got damaged. If you hit hard enough to hurt the radiator, check your core support carefully to make sure it didnt roll back some.

JimFreeh · #7 04-12-2007, 12:16 PM

I'll second the W126 advice.

Any 300SD 81-85, any 300D 82-85, and any 300TD 81-85 radiator will sub right into your car. All the trim and sheetmetal will be the same from any W123 car.

Might be a good time to get euro headlights, if your looking at the cost of replacing all the USA spec stuff.

Bummer, dude.

Jim

G-Benz · #8 04-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang_man298

Ahh but you forget , other than the diving part, the Mazda probably has those neoprene skin bumpers on it, which pop right out after being bumped usually. What you DON"T see is where the damage hides, the styromfoam padding underneath is probably mashed and the stamped tin bumper frame is probably bent, most people never see inside those and have no clue...
Yours showed the damage as its all solid non flexible parts on the front, and it was all the "soft" parts that got damaged. If you hit hard enough to hurt the radiator, check your core support carefully to make sure it didnt roll back some.

I had a 90 Mazda MX6 during my single days that ultimately was rear-ended by a 78 Olds Cutlass! I will attest to a similar lack of damage. It submarined under the Mazda, leaving but a few superficial scrape marks. The Cutlass however lost the entire front fiberglass clip and had my chrome exhaust tip impaled into the radiator!

Actually, upon closer inspection, the Mazda's spare tire well was caved in where the impact occurred. A sledge pounded that out easily though...

#9 04-12-2007, 01:20 PM

The radiator is an easy replacement, I did mine in about an hour a few weeks ago.

JWJ · #10 04-14-2007, 10:55 PM

Finally had time to inspect the damage from the wreck. It's worse than I expected. The metal "core support" beam the radiator is fastened to is bent back significantly. Please see attached photos.

Is replacing the core support beam easy?

stcbenz83 · #11 04-14-2007, 11:24 PM

if your good with a welder and grinder it is. I had to do the same thing to my Nissan altima when i rear ended a minivan. I had to cut the support welds off, get a new support, and weld it back on.

Bruce Kennedy · #12 04-14-2007, 11:40 PM

My wife hit a little Toyota with our 126 sd with similar results. The Toyota had just a little scratch but I had to replace the hood,grill, one headlight assembly, radiator, clutch fan, and the metal piece under the headlight. I straighted the radiator support with a come-along hooked to a tree and a big hammer.

t walgamuth · #13 04-15-2007, 07:52 AM

you won't want to cut any metal there. that radiator support is pretty flexible and you can almost push it out with your hands. but a big hammer will do it for sure. it would be helpful to have a car which is not crashed to compare to but you will probably be ok without it. you just start by removing all the broken parts and the ones that may be ok but in the way. then start pushing things back the way they came in until your good parts will fit again.

it takes patience and a lot of looking.

but it is not rocket science.

i may have some of the parts you need. no good grills or headlight doors though. i have several good bumpers and probably the aluminum headlight bucket. also a fan probably.

tom w

biobenz240d · #14 04-15-2007, 08:41 AM

remove radiator , I'd back up the support with a 2x4 and put a strap on it , top and bottom to pull straight)to a tree or some thing solid and roll the car back gently as you pull the support forward. Let me stress GENTLY ,you don't want to over do it and rip the support out of the car. pushing the car back gives you the most control ( by all means don't have the wife put the car in reverse and back it up, they fail to understand what our minds are telling us)

jbach36 · #15 04-15-2007, 08:40 PM

Are your tires bad?
jeff