Mercedes 129 titivation
Discussion
r129sl said:
That actually makes me feel a lot better.
Well the big expenses will be 'diluted' if you rack up some miles without expense now, it'll be really interesting to see what your long term average is. I know it's nerdy. I have kept logs of all my cars for years, and I've always done fairly high mileages. It's worth knowing that a 2004 S-Type diesel is such a complete bag of s
t that over 40,000 miles it cost more to run than a 1996 XJ12, for example.
I changed this car's differential oil tonight. This is a new job for me involving two new things, working under the car for prolonged periods and working with my new fluid pump. It all went well enough and only took an hour. The ball aches were getting the car up on stands (as usual), getting access to the fill plug (always remove the fill plug first) and the drain plug and then the physicality of it all (for a desk-driving weakling like me). The drain plugs were a bit rust and dirt encrusted so most of the time was spent cleaning them up. Access is very tight with strut braces and exhaust pipes and electrical conduits right where you don't need them to be.
Anyway, my objective was to investigate a rear end whine. The old diff oil was black but there did not seem to be a lot of metallic particles in it. There also seemed to be roughly the right amount of the stuff present (1.6litres). The new oil is clear straw colour. Both oils smell revolting. The noise is still there and the car feels no different but at least I know that there is fresh fluid at the right level in there.
I used this helpful guide: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-...
The rear end whine will need further investigation after my holiday. I'm guessing a diff rebuild will be getting up to four figures with new bearings so if funds are plentiful (which they never are) I may spring for the Quaife LSD. I'm not an over-steering wild man by any stretch of the imagination but I like the idea of better traction generally. I can't think of a downside. https://shop.quaife.co.uk/quaife-mercedes-limited-...
Anyway, my objective was to investigate a rear end whine. The old diff oil was black but there did not seem to be a lot of metallic particles in it. There also seemed to be roughly the right amount of the stuff present (1.6litres). The new oil is clear straw colour. Both oils smell revolting. The noise is still there and the car feels no different but at least I know that there is fresh fluid at the right level in there.
I used this helpful guide: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Mercedes-...
The rear end whine will need further investigation after my holiday. I'm guessing a diff rebuild will be getting up to four figures with new bearings so if funds are plentiful (which they never are) I may spring for the Quaife LSD. I'm not an over-steering wild man by any stretch of the imagination but I like the idea of better traction generally. I can't think of a downside. https://shop.quaife.co.uk/quaife-mercedes-limited-...
Edited by r129sl on Wednesday 10th August 21:31
£1,400 fitted, although presumably I'll have to get my local man to remove and refit the housing, so more like £1,600. It could do with new front arms, too: another £700.
I managed to get diff oil, used and new, in my hair. I'm so useless at everything. Shamooing with Fairy liquid did the trick, for anyone as cack-handed as me who does this in future. I hope it doesn't rain or I'll have a hat of suds.
I managed to get diff oil, used and new, in my hair. I'm so useless at everything. Shamooing with Fairy liquid did the trick, for anyone as cack-handed as me who does this in future. I hope it doesn't rain or I'll have a hat of suds.
TBH if you have any London-based business coming up over the next couple of months I think I would take it down to Birds and get them to do it. Fitting ATBs is a massive part of their business and they're probably both good and quick at it. Also saves a lot of tedious carriage of big heavy lumps of metal.
This car has seen some hard service lately, stepping up to provide family transport in the temporary absence of the 124. It copes admirably with the school run and it has also carried me and my wife on a couple of very fast return trips to Leeds, about 120miles or so in 1hr45. It's the perfect car for such duties with plenty of pick up in the crucial 60 to 120 range but really good refinement. The current mileage is 258,300-odd.
All this use has taken its toll however. The diff gets worse, to the point that I am seriously worried about it. Baister diagnosed worn bearings today. Now, a new diff is £3,000, so that is not happening. His advice was to source a decent used diff, maybe £250. And, let's face it, it is likely to be a lot less worn than mine. I am investigating rebuilds, but I think used is the right route. If so, before the new used part goes in the car, it will get a full service with new seals.
The fan clutch is bust. That's two out of three cars with this problem. A new Merc item is £235; Sachs is £185; and Febi is available at £58. I'm afraid I have plumped for the Febi item.
The off side cat has started to rattle ever so slightly. £663 from Merc, simply too much money at the moment. Genuine Auto Parts are offering a Merc item for £348.57 so I will just have to bite that bullet.
And, finally, the dynamic levelling on the xenon lights is bust. A bad front level sensor. £117 from Merc, I happily found a brand new one on eBay for £45. I'll have a go at fitting this myself.
That still leaves front lower control arms... but they will have to wait.They are £293 each at Merc, although I see TRW (owned by ZF Group) offer them at £146 each. Any views on TRW?
In the meantime, I am going to take routine maintenance—fluids and filters and such like—"in house" as on the other cars, leaving MB Newcastle to do an annual service for the sake of the book stamp and the Mobilo warranty.
All this use has taken its toll however. The diff gets worse, to the point that I am seriously worried about it. Baister diagnosed worn bearings today. Now, a new diff is £3,000, so that is not happening. His advice was to source a decent used diff, maybe £250. And, let's face it, it is likely to be a lot less worn than mine. I am investigating rebuilds, but I think used is the right route. If so, before the new used part goes in the car, it will get a full service with new seals.
The fan clutch is bust. That's two out of three cars with this problem. A new Merc item is £235; Sachs is £185; and Febi is available at £58. I'm afraid I have plumped for the Febi item.
The off side cat has started to rattle ever so slightly. £663 from Merc, simply too much money at the moment. Genuine Auto Parts are offering a Merc item for £348.57 so I will just have to bite that bullet.
And, finally, the dynamic levelling on the xenon lights is bust. A bad front level sensor. £117 from Merc, I happily found a brand new one on eBay for £45. I'll have a go at fitting this myself.
That still leaves front lower control arms... but they will have to wait.They are £293 each at Merc, although I see TRW (owned by ZF Group) offer them at £146 each. Any views on TRW?
In the meantime, I am going to take routine maintenance—fluids and filters and such like—"in house" as on the other cars, leaving MB Newcastle to do an annual service for the sake of the book stamp and the Mobilo warranty.
Edited by r129sl on Friday 23 September 20:49
Tell me about it. But...
The 124 is nearly repaired and will be better than ever. The new bonnet is a lot better than the old and I've always wanted to tidy up the slam panel. It'll have a totally new cooling system. It will be fitter than it has been for a long while.
The 190 is not as bad as I thought. It'll only need a day with the Man and 200 magic fix it tokens. Whether we retrofit the air con is another matter. Now the weather is back to its stty northern norm, that project is distinctly back-burnered.
And if I can get the 129 over this rough ground, it should be good for five years and 100,000miles.
But it really is fking killing me at the moment. Thanks for the sympathy.
PS: did you get anywhere with Stanley Sedgwick?
The 124 is nearly repaired and will be better than ever. The new bonnet is a lot better than the old and I've always wanted to tidy up the slam panel. It'll have a totally new cooling system. It will be fitter than it has been for a long while.
The 190 is not as bad as I thought. It'll only need a day with the Man and 200 magic fix it tokens. Whether we retrofit the air con is another matter. Now the weather is back to its s
tty northern norm, that project is distinctly back-burnered.And if I can get the 129 over this rough ground, it should be good for five years and 100,000miles.
But it really is f
king killing me at the moment. Thanks for the sympathy.PS: did you get anywhere with Stanley Sedgwick?
Edited by r129sl on Friday 23 September 21:20
Brief update. The differential is out and being rebuilt with new bearings, new seals and a new breather. The bearings were completely shot. The pinion and crown wheel are fine. It is with this chap, who seems extremely affable: http://gearboxrepair-newcastle.co.uk
I should get it back on Tuesday or Wednesday. Then it needs a new fan clutch (bit of a theme with my cars at the moment) and a new headlamp front level sensor. I'll do those myself with the help of my boys over half term.
I should get it back on Tuesday or Wednesday. Then it needs a new fan clutch (bit of a theme with my cars at the moment) and a new headlamp front level sensor. I'll do those myself with the help of my boys over half term.
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