Dreaded W107 cracked subframe - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimFreeh · #1 04-05-2007, 07:02 AM

Good morning friends,

I've been looking through the archives and am still a bit confused about the amount of coverage MBNA will extend for a cracked front subframe.

I have a 1984 280SL grey market car and the left rear lower control arm mount on the front subframe has cracked off the subframe.

Luckily this happened while my wife was performing a low speed parking lot turn, just after I had returned from work in the car.

The archives suggest no help for grey market cars, and also that I am out of range year-wise for the recall. Anyone else have any experience with getting later model grey market cars repaired by the deaer?

My fallback position is to remove a subframe from a 1971 250 W114 sedan that I have, as I understand they are the same. Strip the 250 subframe and then add some gussets to the bracket prior to rebuilding the front end and reinstalling. Am I on the right track with my thinking here?

Right now, the car is sulking in the garage, stripped of it's plates and insurance until I can get around to the work. Couple of other projects have a bit more priority, like the A/C evap in my 560SEL.

Thanks in advance for any information!

Jim F.

mbdoc · #2 04-05-2007, 08:32 AM

At dealer the "gray market" subframe issue was a car by car issue. IF the factory rep was in a good mood then the customer would get a new one FREE.

Good luck! any of the 1968-85 subframes will work. adding the gussets is a good idea. We did that to 100's of them before they cracked.

JimFreeh · #3 04-05-2007, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the confirmation M.B. Doc.

I don't have much contact with my local dealer, other than the parts manager. They run retail up about 1.3 X normal, so even with my MBCA discount, I still pay more! I don't buy or service the cars there, so no contact to come to bat for me wrt the regional rep.

Since the car needs a front end rebuild, and even with "free" labor, the cost of dealer parts for the front end work would be crippling.

Looks like I might as well do it myself, as the only additional work will be pulling another subframe, making up and getting the gussets welded on. Heck, I can practice on the W114! Engine and tranny already out in installed in my coupe.

Jim F.

Earlybird · #4 04-05-2007, 01:11 PM

It's easy, I just got through doing it my self on my 280. Don't forget to check the idler shaft bearing. Mine was worn out and I used the one from the doner car. I should have ordered one in advance.

Richard Wooldridge · #5 04-06-2007, 02:16 AM

I had the same failure on my '82 380SL last spring. It failed while I was making a right turn into the grade school parking lot while taking my granddaughter to school. The left lower rear mount broke. I chained it up and was able to drive it onto a dolly for the tow home. I found a used subframe from a '74 240 that worked ok for me - all I had to do was make the access holes under the engine mounts so I could install the engine mounting bolts. I bought the factory fix bracket kit from the local MB dealer in Portland, OR - $97 dollars for four very small trangular shaped pieces. They also copied the instructions for me, the instructions said to only use a mig welder to weld the brackets on, which is what I did. When I did the job, I jacked up the front of the car about 2 feet or so, and supported the car on jackstands and the engine with a floor jack, using a piece of 2x12 under the pan to spread the load. I used the opportunity to replace all the rubber on the subframe. It is a good time to check the free play in the steering gearbox also.
I am inclined to think that if one of these failures causes an accident MB could be found liable, having incurred the problem earlier in the vehicle's life (The recall affects ONLY USA cast iron block engines, but they all seem to fail sooner or later.)

JimFreeh · #6 04-06-2007, 07:27 AM

Richard,

So there are only four gussets total?

Where did the factory instructions say to place them?

I had been planning on installing a total of sixteen, four per attachment point.

Jim

tjohn · #7 04-06-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

Good morning friends,

Luckily this happened while my wife was performing a low speed parking lot turn, just after I had returned from work in the car.

They always break this way. The forces involved are far greater when parking than any other time.

BTW Jim, make sure you check your PM.