Repairs On The Cheap

[raymr]

This 380 SE is turning out to be a tinkerers dream.

I just repaired the rear window regulator with junk drawer parts: a nylon roller, flanged bushing, and a 1/4-20 screw. The screw fits perfectly in the hole where the old rivet was and I didn't have to remove the mechanism.

The climate control sampler blower had dead spots and wouldn't always spin. I fixed by shaking out a bunch of dust that was in the motor housing, sprayed some brake cleaner inside, and lubed. Also vacuumed the dust out of the sensor on the roof.

I cured the door panel squeaks by using the lube that came with a Craftsman garage door opener repair kit. It came with a tube of Crisco-like paste for oiling the nylon gears. I rubbed a light coating on the door sills, and the noise is gone.

The stiff gas pedal was fixed by just moving the return spring (from underneath the car). The tang which the spring connects to has 2 holes. Using the hole closest to the firewall gives a more normal pedal feel.

I plan on doing the pool noodle seat spring repair very soon.

The only things I have spent money on so far is drive belts and some special size hoses on the engine.

I just love cheap repairs, especially now since I found out this car is worth all of $975 retail!

Current stumpers:

Do you have any hints on re-glueing the wood dash pieces that are separating and curling up? I tried the 2-sided trim adhesive tape and it held for about 10 seconds.

Also not sure yet what to do about the rear glass rust at the pinch seam. I'm thinking about just sealing the window with some black goop and hoping for the best.