I've broken the indestructable Merc.

[Huntsman]

I just had to have my wife's indestructable W129 Merc SL recovered.

We were on our way to a party, I took a wrong turn, reversed out, popped the slush box into D, nailed the gas and BANG from the back axle and no drive. Failed to proceed. A sort of grinding noise came from the diff.

Right now I wont be able to do it so I've had it dropped off at a mates garage, this'll be my fourth garage bill in 22 years motoring. Humpf.

It was an eventful hour waiting, 50 cars drove by while it was half blocking the road with the hazards on, 11 of them indicated, one was massively cautious, one did wheel spins and one bloke asked if I was ok. The occupant of the bungalow I was outside was watching a gardening program and didnt bring me a cup of tea. Watching TV through a window is crap cos you can't hear it.

This isn't going to be cheap.

[busta]

bds! I got a cup of tea while changing a tyre a couple of years ago. People are getting stingy.

[Rawwr]

Huntsman said:

BANG from the back axle, no drive, grinding noise came from the diff.

HTH

[Fun Bus]

Ouch. Sounds like a few £'s could be involved - I'd take the shirt of your back now. Do keep us updated though as I'm curious to know what caused it.

[db]

Huntsman said:

popped the slush box into D, nailed the gas and BANG

nuff said?

Edited by db on Saturday 30th October 00:27

[fluffnik]

Huntsman said:

This isn't going to be cheap.

How R129 specific is the diff? W126 units should be reasonably cheap and plentiful I'd have thought.

Hope this isn't just wishful thinking by proxy!

[Huntsman]

fluffnik said:

Huntsman said:

This isn't going to be cheap.

How R129 specific is the diff? W126 units should be reasonably cheap and plentiful I'd have thought.

Hope this isn't just wishful thinking by proxy!

I'm with you on the wishful thinking.

I've just been to the garage, they are going to look at it later today.

[Shaw Tarse]

Things happen in threes! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Huntsman]

Shaw Tarse said:

Things happen in threes! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Bog off.

Two is more than enough.

[thinfourth2]

Huntsman said:

It was an eventful hour waiting, 50 cars drove by while it was half blocking the road with the hazards on, 11 of them indicated, one was massively cautious, one did wheel spins and one bloke asked if I was ok. .

So 1 out of 50 motorists are not tts

Quite depressing

[Dog Star]

Could be something simple - UJ or something. 129s are mechanically bombproof and I would imagine parts would be easy.

If you do end up needing bits - try Googling "Dronsfields Mercedes" - massive MB breakers - I've got some quite way out stuff from them in the past.

[Huntsman]

Dog Star said:

Could be something simple - UJ or something. 129s are mechanically bombproof and I would imagine parts would be easy.

If you do end up needing bits - try Googling "Dronsfields Mercedes" - massive MB breakers - I've got some quite way out stuff from them in the past.

Ah, yes, Dronsfields, I bought something from them before.

Could be a CV joint, but it sounded more expensive!

[eltax91]

Huntsman said:

Dog Star said:

Could be something simple - UJ or something. 129s are mechanically bombproof and I would imagine parts would be easy.

If you do end up needing bits - try Googling "Dronsfields Mercedes" - massive MB breakers - I've got some quite way out stuff from them in the past.

Ah, yes, Dronsfields, I bought something from them before.

Could be a CV joint, but it sounded more expensive!

UJ's and CV's always sound really rough. When the UJ went in my Disco, I could have sworn the diff was goosed. Simple job and cheap to buy te UJ in the end. Totally different car but the priciples are the same. Wait and see what the garage says,then drink to drown any sorrows.

[bazking69]

db said:

Huntsman said:

popped the slush box into D, nailed the gas and BANG

nuff said?

Edited by db on Saturday 30th October 00:27

A final cry of mercy from a well used diff?

[Huntsman]

Apparently its broken a drive shaft.

New one from Mercedes is £650, secondhand one being fitted.

[berg1]

Huntsman said:

Apparently its broken a drive shaft.

New one from Mercedes is £650, secondhand one being fitted.

Possibly the cheapest part that could have gone, so a result.
Should be ok for another 5 years now.

[80s Matchbox]

berg1 said:

Huntsman said:

Apparently its broken a drive shaft.

New one from Mercedes is £650, secondhand one being fitted.

Possibly the cheapest part that could have gone, so a result.
Should be ok for another 5 years now.

Hmmm, no guarantee with a second hand part if it's going to last 5 years or 5 days.. Worth the risk though.

[Huntsman]

Just to update.

We collected the car this evening, bill was £300 all in, not so bad. Grumble grumble.

Looks like crevice corrosion started under the neck of the CV boot, the rest as they say is history.

Wife smiling!

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I see you're in Southampton.

For the record, Mercman breakers in Southampton are great - bought lots of bits for my R129 SL from there, plus the guvnor is a bit of an R129 expert in helping solve problems.

[Huntsman]

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

I see you're in Southampton.

For the record, Mercman breakers in Southampton are great - bought lots of bits for my R129 SL from there, plus the guvnor is a bit of an R129 expert in helping solve problems.

Ray , they were in Southampton, now in Cornwall somewhere, there is a new phone numebr on their website but its a little unclear as to the move.