PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - 7 hours of work on the 560SL and not much done.

As the title says I put 7 hours of work on the SL today but not a lot got accomplished.

Sometimes while starting the car I hear a noise, I though was the starter solenoid not fully retracting. So got a rebuilt ( no new starters are available for the 107) starter from the dealer. Washed the car and the engine underside. Realized towards the end that I was baking in the sun. 100 here today. Put the car in the Garage and turned on the AC ( yes its Texas and I have an AC for my garage :cool: ). Jacked the car up and put it on jack stands and went inside to let the garage and myself cool off.
Inserted the oil extractor into the dipstick tube to change the oil. Figured I could let it suck away while I got the starter out.
The bottom bolt of the starter was pretty easy. Top top was a PITA. You must approach it from the rear of the bell housing. It is a 10MM Allen bolt head that treads into the starter flange. Got the Allen head inserted and then a 6 inch 3/8ths extension. A universal and then a, oops tranny panel is in the way. Remove the forward tranny panel and attached the 18 inch extension and gave it a yank. It would not budge. 125Ft. Lb. impact wrench, no go. 500Ft. Lb impact wrench. No go. When you use a universal aniline with the extensions it allows about 2 Ft. Lbs to transfer to the socket.
I tried and tried. Could not get it to release.
Called and talked to a tech at the dealer. They use a 3-4 ft long wobble 1/2 inch extension and then a 24 inch breaker bar. Do I have those, no. So I figured I would just let the dealer do it in my frustration. Of course I now know what I need and will get ti to try to get the job done.
Back to the oil change. Drop the filter and get the new one, Crap I don't have one. Usually have 1-2 on hand. Neighbor drives me to the dealer ( since the 300TD is apart waiting on the AC manifold hose to be rebuilt) and I get 2 filters. Talk to the mechanic that I trust and like. He gives me the poop on the starter. 10MM Allen head socket then a 6 inch 1/2" extension. A 1/2 inch 18-24 inch wobble extension with a 18-24 inch breaker bar. And really get into it. I may have to ask the neighbor if I can use is 4 post lift so I can " get into it". So tomorrow I have to get a 1/2 drive wobble extension.

While under the car lets look at everything I can see. A little play in the steering. Center drag link ball joint is bad, thats why I had one in the trunk for while now, replaced that. Thank God it went smoothly.
Checked all the front suspension and steering linkage. Great, I need Lower ball joints ( torn boots). 1 Upper control arm ( torn ball joint boot). So with this work I might as well rebuild the whole front end. I figure $1000 for parts. ( UCA are $364 each).
Steering box is leaking and I think the tranny front seal is developing a leak.

Well I've owned her since 1995 and she really has not cost a lot to run. So I now have a Fall project.

Did get the oil and filter changed but its now time to check the timing chain and rails.

So how was your day????????????????

Dave