I picked up some reasonably priced used SLS struts for my 1984 300TD on craigslist. What I didn't realize at purchase time was that they were the pre-1982 model with the dome-shaped rubber mounts at the top.

Not to be thwarted so easily, I went ahead and put them on, reusing the old (and still quite sturdy) upper mount hardware for the original struts. I inspected the strut component itself and it seems exactly the same except for the part number. Everything fits and seems to be working well.

So first of all, I'm not crazy for swapping parts like that, right?

Secondly, try though I might to save it, the allen head bolt for the passenger side upper mount got stripped during removal, and I had to destroy it. In its place, I used the 13mm hex bolt and washer that came with the "new" strut and tightened it down pretty good. It isn't nice and flush like the allen bolt was, but it doesn't seem like it will be a clearance problem once I put the carpet back in.

How about now? Crazy? Should I try to get another allen head bolt before I put the interior all back together?

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1982 300SD, Navy w/ Gray MB Tex, ~250K miles - "Lucille"

Wow, I wish you had done a pictorial on that job - we could use that info on the forum, as the best I have seen was a short text description of the job.

Dunno if you are crazy or not.

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

I imagine the parts will be fine.

I have no idea if your crazy or not with only ten posts....

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

I guess I am crazy... crazy about low low prices!

Zeke, I could take some pics of the key areas and write up a good tutorial on this; where would be best to post that?

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1982 300SD, Navy w/ Gray MB Tex, ~250K miles - "Lucille"

I think R Hunter is the keeper of the DIY repository. I think you just write it up as a new thread and then he tags it so it becomes a link in the DIY section.

Would be very much appreciated!!!!

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT