http://www.dieselgiant.com/enginemechanical.htm#Engine Shocks 240d and 300sd

Are these somthing I should plan on buying with my new w123 diesel?

Newest 123 is 23 yrs old, oldest 30 or so.

When I look at getting another 85 300D Federal for the fleet, I do the 360 rust check, drain hole check, full undercarriage check, then take her on the road for power and handling. Before I close the deal I ask what the current owner has done to the vehicle over the past, say, three years, and request receipts (not that the guy is lying or anything).

That's the important stuff in my book. I can fix or replace just about anything else the seller says is wrong (and hopefully lowers the sales price therefore). Hey, Gray Ghost was cherry-picked for $3K...felt dirty giving the guy only that much...but I got over it on the drive home.

Stuff like the power antenna, sunroof, all window regulators, AC, monovalve, etc. are -- with the help of the folks in this forum -- now very easy fixes.

If the new buy is a go, I still do not assume anything. I budget in $1,500 for new parts plus paint job if she needs it. The cash goes for the usual wear out parts. Yes motor mounts and shocks are in this category. I also do all new steering links, bearings, rotors, pads, sensors, tranny seals and filter, diesel purge and filter, vacuum hose, two sizes, and a selection of vac hose els, Ys and Xs. For sure swap out the prime and secondary fuel filters AND clean or replace the screen in the tank (Silver Bullet is kicking butt with that simple swapout). Might need some vac pods, new relays. Stuff good to have on hand in any case. Maybe the half axles need new booties (Remans @ $80 each). The rest goes for rear end lube, gaskets, every other fluid in the car. Oh, and after, an alignment.

If you are new to this great club of geezer diesel owners, you might wish to buy or, better, make those special tools that might be unique to your model, starting with a Mityvac.

This sets the baseline. I get my maintenance binder ready for the periodics, complete with a table listing all services, starting (for me) with standard stuff each 2,500miles. Lots of space in the table for annotating fluids consumption, indy work done, tabs for parts invoices, shop invoices, notes.,

Again, welcome. Check out all the threads here and you can't go wrong. Good luck.

Frank

__________________
FRANKNBENZ

1985 300D "Old Blue" 265,000 (parts car )
1985 300D "Gray Ghost" 245,000
1985 300D "Silver Bullet" 160,000
1975 914 VW/Porsche "BC Car" 125,000
2010 Prius "Shocking!" 60,000
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$1500 for paint won't cut it...


You can remove the engine shocks and check if they are still good. If the have resistance then they are good. If you can push the rod into the cylinder than they are bad( like no effort needed to push it in)