Manual Conversion Vibration - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TomJ · #16 10-27-2003, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by diesel don
Greg:

You should get published. I enjoyed all the analogies to THE book.
One final question:

Where does one find these manuals? I've scoured ebay for parts a ton of times and don't recall seeing them, etc? Do you ever come across any for sale without them costing more than another MB

Don

They're easy to get. Just go to your local stealer..., uh..., I mean DEALER, walk in, sign over your children and home, bend over and they'll order them for you, direct from Germany, might be here by the time your car rusts into the ground.

If you think they'll help with tracing electrical problems, you're thinking too hard, they're about as helpful as two sore thumbs.

diesel don · #17 10-27-2003, 10:56 AM

TomJ:

Here is my issue with shop manual (even a Haynes manual). I have tons of energy and want to learn, but they don't write these things with the average joe in mind. They might say some detailed observation on how to manipulate the torque converter and I'm wondering what the TC is and where to find it.

That is why the forum has been so helpful and has allowed me to sustain 5 MB's as daily drivers. That is why I'm beating the system financially. Its because people who write here do so for the average DIYer. What is written here is helpful and easy to understand. Therefore, I typically do a search and printout a couple of sheets and totally ignore my Haynes manual.

Don

R Leo · #18 10-27-2003, 12:42 PM

I've been in the technical publications business for almost 15 years as either a writer or illustrator. Professionally speaking, the Haynes manual is a piece of crap and the FSM is only marginally better.

I can excuse some of the problems in the FSM. They are typical of the things you come across translating technical literature from one language to another. But, there is no excuse for the glaring errors in the Haynes documentation. Reversed images, poorly located and ambiguous captions and outright ommisions all work to make me extremely suspicious of the overall quality of the content.

These problems aren't confined to their MBZ manuals either. I had the Haynes manual for my S-10 Blazer...the section illustrating the clutch pedal assembly actually had a line drawing of the emergency brake!

diesel don · #19 10-27-2003, 07:22 PM

Wow !!!!!! Found it !!!!!

The vibration was caused by a L-shaped bracket that was mounted on the crossmember that supports the engine. It was mounted in the middle and facing forward. The upper lip of it was digging into the rear of my oil pan (this could have been a bummer if it wore through).

Removed it and we have a manual conversion with a 300D-T 4 speed that is as smooth as normal.

Thanks for the help along the way

Don

autozen · #20 10-27-2003, 08:37 PM

Ken300D is more observent than me, because I missed it. He is a regular Columbo or Adrian Monk. He is absolutely correct about the direction of the bolts. Also the flat washer goes next to the rubber and not the steel. Violate these rules, and you will probably pay for it in expensive repairs later. One more rule is you either replace the prevailing torque nuts each time or use blue lock tite or you will pay later. The flex discs for the newer cars can not be installed incorrectly by even the most incompetent bozo, but that is not the case with earlier versions from 73 back. Those discs could easily be installed incorrectly with expensive results.

Rleo,

I agree any thing but a factory manual is a piece of crap and should be used only by people who don't have access to a factory manual or are too cheap to buy one. I also think that factory manuals are a slap in the face of product owners, because although they do provide considerably more info than competing manuals, they do fall very short on providing all the information needed. They don't tell all. Every factory manual is very thick and seemingly comprehensive, but is really filled with crap like pages and pages on stuff no one does like rebuilding differentials. The info you need to really maintain your car is not there, and this is true of Mercedes as well.

Peter

leathermang · #21 10-28-2003, 07:56 AM

Ok , Don, tons of energy is a good thing....
A factory shop manual for a specific car is not designed to give you the ' background' info you are feeling you are lacking in...
Have you checked at your local community college to see if they have an ' auto mechanics 101' course ? If they do ... JUST go and get the manual they use for that course... then actually read it from front to back a couple of times....
Then start looking on Ebay or used book stores... for some of the Petersen Publishing Company books.... these are old books usually 'dedicated' to ONE subject... often large subjects though... like " suspension" or " painting" or " brakes".... they were the biggest source of information for me when I was growing up.. They may have been published by the same company that owned " Hot Rod " magazine.... I read all of mine several times.....
When I got my first MB in 1998 for $2000 .... I went to the Dealer and ordered $200 worth of manuals... I did not have a computer or know about Ebay , etc... but I have added several at good prices since then.... often you can get the ones you need included in a batch.. and find someone to buy the remaining ones... Randy and I have done this when we did not both need the same things...
While the things said about the manuals are true... it is unfortunately also true that they contain information which can make or break some very expensive and time consuming repairs on our lovely cars....

diesel don · #22 10-28-2003, 08:48 AM

Greg:

I'm going to start with a friend who has them and is a mechanic. Thanks for pushing me in that direction.
I sure am relieved this morning to have discovered the vibration issue!

Later,

Don

Mike123 · #23 10-28-2003, 01:24 PM

In an earlier post on this thread I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.......... I was wrong three times. I installed all the bolts in my flex disks on all three vehicles the way it was described by others. That is, with bolt heads towards the driveshaft, and the washers next to the rubber. I used new bolts with allen heads along with new nuts. They were supplied with the flex disks. I am most apologetic for insisting the bolts were alternated. I am afraid memory is the second thing to go.

R Leo · #24 10-28-2003, 03:44 PM

OK, but listen up: get it straight next time mike123 or I'll turn my Mother-in-law loose on you. She lives there in Noblesville too.

Mike123 · #25 10-28-2003, 07:30 PM

R Leo:
I've already got one mother-in-law living with us and tormenting me. I promise not to err again, because I don't think I could hold up to the combined terror of two.