maintenance questions
 

Today I changed my brake pads all around. Everything went fine and no incidents on the brake job.
I figured it's also a good time to inspect the undercariage of my 85 300DT since the car sat for the last 5 years before I started driving it, and found a couple of problems:

1. The shifter linkage is loose!! The 'long' rod to tranny end wabbles where it connects to the actual shift lever. It seems like it's missing a piece like a bushing or something??? There is half an inch or better play where they connect! Any imput on this???
2. One rear shock is dripping oil so it's past due replacement! I can read KYB on it and made in JAPAN. I have KYBs on my Eclipse race car and I'm pretty happy with them. Well what shocks do you guys recomend/use for the 85 300DT??? I want to change them in pairs...
3.There is about 4-5 inches of rubber fuel line by the fuel tank that is not drippind but 'wet'. The rubber line connect 2 metal lines..I'm not sure if it's the feed line or return line! Imput??

The other day my gf drove the Benz and she decided that the tranny fluid was LOW and added 1 quart! Well it turns out that it was not low and now the fluid level is half and inch past the top line on the dip stick.
Should I drain 1 quart out or should I wait another month untill I change the filter and fluid anyways??? I know on some cars is BAD to overfill the trannies, how worried should I be abt the Benz tranny?

my cars a little over the fill line too, i suspect it is OK. Its a frustrating process to get the fluid level right for some reason. As for the shift linkage, you need a new shifter bushing. When you install it oil it with wd400 for easy instal. Its like a 50 cent part. Note how sloppy the shifter unit feels when you put it in drive. After the bushing it should be firm and precise

1. Yes bushing. Check out Fastlane for replacement.
2. KYB sucks, use Bilstein.
3. One of the lines has a metal fixing on it the other doesnt. Should be replaced either way.

How are you checking tranny fluid?

How were the flex disks?

Someone put KYB crap on my 300D too, they were gone pretty quick. Get a set of four Bilsteins, I prefer the HD but some folks like the comforts.

Flex disks have no cracks in them, and I suspect they were changed at 1 point because they look really good.
I usualy check the fluid after I have been driving for a while, with lever in Neutral.

Just wanted to make sure the engine was running when you checked.

Its called "weeping".. they eventually do that, so its time to change it. Assuming your '85 is like my '83.. One on passenger's side is feed line and has special metal end preattached for connecting to tank. Two on drivers side are return & vent, no special metal end to either. You need to drain the tank to replace the feed line or it'll all end up on the ground. Dunno about return line since I did all three at once.

If you want, there's a standard hose barb under the compression band holding the hose to the metal end. Cut the band and then you can do all three hoses with a few lengths of diesel-safe hose and an extra hose clamp or two to replace the compression band.

The fuel in the tank will leak out through the return line. It is possible to replace the flex portion of the return line without draining the tank of you have a plan before you start. I made a "cap" by plugging a short piece of hose and placing it on the tank nipple while I removed the remainder of the original hose and installed the new hose on the hard line. Did not spill more than a few ounces of fuel. It would be a good idea to have a helper (preferably a nonsmoker) standing by just in case.

When I changed my fuel lines, I ran the fuel down to the reserve light and maybe a little more. I clamped off the supply hose, cut it, and drained a few gallons in a bucket. I have an auxillary tank also, so between the two tanks I drained 7 gallons.
Just clean off things so dirt doesn`t drop in your fuel. when done, dump it back in.

Charlie

Look here for shifter bushing info. I just did the one under the shifter.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=112582

Buy Bilstein shocks.

Replace the fuel line. It's metric so make sure you get the right size.

Danny

I would not allow the tranny to be overfull.

Tom W