First day home from vacation, spent a little time under the 560SEL. Feel I reached a milestone in bringing her back to life.

Today I got the new flex disk installed, tranny mount and cross member. Also picked up an exhaust support bushing kit at the dealer (thanks to Aaron's tip) and installed the kit loosely until the weight of the engine/tranny were resting completely on the tranny mount, then snugged the bushings up.





I also installed the shifter, shifter rod bushings and shift rod. I devised a handly little tool for pressing in the bushings. I had the camera in the garage with me, but got on a roll and forgot to document the installation. For future reference the press consists of a 17mm socket, a U.S. quarter (or similar sized coin) and a small clamp. Soak the bushings in hot, hot water for a few minutes, then place one bushing in the hole, place quarter on bushing while backing up the opposite side with the open end of the socket. Sandwich the mess in the clamp and tighten it down. Does a nice neat job of pressing the bushings in. Once done, all the was required was "rolling out" approximately 1/8 of the diameter of the bushing which didn't come through. use a small fine tipped screw driver, slip it under the portion that came through and roll it out. I'm sure it helped that I had the levers in hand, not mounted in the car.

Once all that was done and adjusted, I closed the tunnel and replaced all of the exhaust hangers. The hangers for the center mufflers were real buggers, but persistance and a floor jack paid off. Now the exhaust is sitting factory tight to the floor.

After a short break in the action, I just had to verify that everything worked. With the car still in the air I topped up the tranny and fired her up. After a brief warm-up, I shifted into reverse and surprise, the tires turned - the right way even. Next I ran her up in drive and tires turned nicely, speedo works and there was absolutely no vibration or odd sounds.

Did find out I will have to go through the brakes as the rear calipers appear to be frozen. Parking brake works, but the foot brake slowed the tires very slowly.

Still need to button up the SRS system and reinstall the interior, plus replace the tie rod assemblies (they arrived today, I might tackle them tomorrow). Then it'll be time to replace chain guides and roll in a chain. Someday I'll be done.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.