Mercedes 129 titivation
Discussion
Fixed it. I squirted a bit of Plus-Gas in the hole (carefully avoiding any friction surfaces), left it a while then brayed it out using a 3mm tough and long allen key from which I first cut off the right angle head. Cleaned up and finished the job in five minutes. Here is the offending snapped-off punch end:
Went for a drive and the car still rattles. I didn't think it was pads rattling in the callipers. Bloody Baister. Had a good mooch around and discovered it was a loose shock top mounting nut. Oops. Dodgy assembly by the home DIY guy way back in April. Car now running well. Just over 280,000miles on the odo.
Went for a drive and the car still rattles. I didn't think it was pads rattling in the callipers. Bloody Baister. Had a good mooch around and discovered it was a loose shock top mounting nut. Oops. Dodgy assembly by the home DIY guy way back in April. Car now running well. Just over 280,000miles on the odo.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I'm just picturing him scrambling up the bank dressed in a suit, leather-soled shoes slithering on the path and phone in hand just to get the shot. Brilliant.
That is precisely how it was. Ultra-light weight navy Hackett suit, Tricker's Oxfords. It's like you were there.bolidemichael said:
I was thinking that it would be sod's law that a car would approach just as he's getting a photo from the vantage point!
This is Northumberland. I dropped the kids at school near Stocksfield, cut across to Ponteland, then up the A696 to Belsay. From there it is a fabulous drive for at least 15 miles, maybe more. I don't think I saw another car in either direction.Taxed the old thing for another 12 months today: £265.
This evening I cleaned it up, including the fabric roof, which is really on its last legs after 20 years. I sprayed with Bilt Hamber Surfex HD and let that soak in, then blasted it with the pressure washer. No doubt there are gentler ways of doing it. Then wiped it down and left to dry. Next I treated it with Fabsil Gold fabric protector. Last year I brushed this on with a paint brush and it took forever and used rather a lot of the stuff. This year I just put it in a spray bottle and sprayed it on, a five minute job even accounting for cleaning the overspray off the windows. The combination of cleaning and protecting really improves the look of the fabric and gives it is depth of colour back.
When funds allow, though, it will be off to KHM for a new roof.
This evening I cleaned it up, including the fabric roof, which is really on its last legs after 20 years. I sprayed with Bilt Hamber Surfex HD and let that soak in, then blasted it with the pressure washer. No doubt there are gentler ways of doing it. Then wiped it down and left to dry. Next I treated it with Fabsil Gold fabric protector. Last year I brushed this on with a paint brush and it took forever and used rather a lot of the stuff. This year I just put it in a spray bottle and sprayed it on, a five minute job even accounting for cleaning the overspray off the windows. The combination of cleaning and protecting really improves the look of the fabric and gives it is depth of colour back.
When funds allow, though, it will be off to KHM for a new roof.
Mine travel in the back seats most days these days.
The back seats were no good until the child was 3, maybe 3 and a bit, because until then they couldn't really hold themselves upright all the time in corners and still fell asleep a lot. My 8 year old, who is tall (6'1" father and 5'11" mother), is still fine in the back and we often go four up, wife in the front, both boys in the back, for journeys of maybe an hour or 90 minutes or so. I'm taking the boys to Edinburgh tomorrow and we will be using the 129, 8 year old in the front, 6 year old in the back.
Only the front passenger seat takes a child seat, however, and then only really a forward facing one.
The back seats were no good until the child was 3, maybe 3 and a bit, because until then they couldn't really hold themselves upright all the time in corners and still fell asleep a lot. My 8 year old, who is tall (6'1" father and 5'11" mother), is still fine in the back and we often go four up, wife in the front, both boys in the back, for journeys of maybe an hour or 90 minutes or so. I'm taking the boys to Edinburgh tomorrow and we will be using the 129, 8 year old in the front, 6 year old in the back.
Only the front passenger seat takes a child seat, however, and then only really a forward facing one.
Hereward said:
Another consideration is the lap belts. Whilst they are better than nothing I don't want to imagine the results of a crash. I think after-market 3-point belts can be retrofitted - someone will know better than me.
The function of a three-point belt's shoulder strap is to restrain the upper body in the event of an accident. In the case of r129 rear seat passengers, this function is performed by the back and head rest of the front seat. You will notice they are firmly padded. At first blush this sounds horrific but do stop and think about it. The distance between the rear seat backrest and the back of the front seat backrest is small: less that the body will be flung against the shoulder strap of a three-pointed belt, for example, and insufficient for the momentum in the moving upper body to pick up speed. And whereas a seat belt is narrow, thus placing a lot of pressure on a small part of the body when restraining it (usually causing bruising), the back of the front seat is broad indeed and the restraint force will be spread over a wider part of the body.The r129's rear seat is homologated as a child seat.
Three pointed adaptations are available, the upper mount being the rear shock absorber upper mounting point.
It is a matter for your own judgment. I have decided to repose confidence in a manufacturer which was at its peak at the time the r129 was conceived. Rear passenger safety was not an after-thought in the design of that car.
Drive carefully.
I drove the car this week for the first time since October. Ran it down to Swansea for a short meeting. Return journey knocked off in 4h55, not bad for 333miles. It is easy to forget how good a large capacity, normally aspirated, multi-cylinder motor is. There are a few things not right. The alignment needs setting; and there is a loose knocking from the front end which I would normally attribute to worn ARB bushes but seem to recall they were changed not so long ago.
I also managed to acquire two pairs of NOS headlamp wipers and so have at last fixed the broken offside headlamp system. It appears that some damage to the headlamp glass is present but I'm not really bothered about that.
I have owned this car for 17 years almost to the day.
I also managed to acquire two pairs of NOS headlamp wipers and so have at last fixed the broken offside headlamp system. It appears that some damage to the headlamp glass is present but I'm not really bothered about that.
I have owned this car for 17 years almost to the day.
I had to go on a wholly unnecessary journey to Burnley today to dispossess a perfectly charming man from his home because his landlord hadn't paid the mortgage. Like that was going to happen. I don't care how much I'm being paid, I'm not even going to ask for that at the moment. Adjourned for three months.
But it presented an opportunity for a fine drive in my fine Mercedes SL. leaving home at 6.45, I had time for a leisurely coffee and a bacon sarnie at the bait van at Blubberhouses on the A59 (I figured this was "safer" than the motorway services, not to say a good deal cheaper and nicer) before arriving in sunny Burnley at about 9.30. In both directions the A1(M) from Scotch Corner down to the Ripon turn was gloriously empty. What would you do? 110? 120? 130? Maybe even 140? For mile after mile after mile. It'll probably be forbidden this time next week so why the hell not?
Here we are leaving home:
But it presented an opportunity for a fine drive in my fine Mercedes SL. leaving home at 6.45, I had time for a leisurely coffee and a bacon sarnie at the bait van at Blubberhouses on the A59 (I figured this was "safer" than the motorway services, not to say a good deal cheaper and nicer) before arriving in sunny Burnley at about 9.30. In both directions the A1(M) from Scotch Corner down to the Ripon turn was gloriously empty. What would you do? 110? 120? 130? Maybe even 140? For mile after mile after mile. It'll probably be forbidden this time next week so why the hell not?
Here we are leaving home:
I've lived here all my life, BM. In some ways that is a limitation; in others an advantage. We are very lucky. Thank goodness we don't live in a two-bed flat on the seventh floor, as many families no doubt do. Our days over the coming weeks will consist of chopping logs, going for walks on the beach, playing piano and guitar, washing cars and (hopefully) eating. There's still a Lego backlog from Christmas, too. Let's just hope I can earn enough money to keep paying the mortgage. I can't say I am not terrified: but I am also grateful for my blessings.
My best UK average was 89.1mph from central Cambridge to rural Northumberland. It was a Saturday evening in mid-summer; I left Trumpington Street at about 7.30pm and was in Mitford not long after 10. Almost 20 years ago now: before SL. I can't say I have ever come close to equalling that. Averaging over 70 requires real commitment.
Edit: I love cars and journeys. Nirvana for me is a distant destination, a deadline, a nice car and a woman waiting at the end to make it all worthwhile. Not that I inhabit a Bruce Springsteen song or anything. I hope we manage to hang onto them.
My best UK average was 89.1mph from central Cambridge to rural Northumberland. It was a Saturday evening in mid-summer; I left Trumpington Street at about 7.30pm and was in Mitford not long after 10. Almost 20 years ago now: before SL. I can't say I have ever come close to equalling that. Averaging over 70 requires real commitment.
Edit: I love cars and journeys. Nirvana for me is a distant destination, a deadline, a nice car and a woman waiting at the end to make it all worthwhile. Not that I inhabit a Bruce Springsteen song or anything. I hope we manage to hang onto them.
Edited by r129sl on Saturday 21st March 08:26
I think that is the only way: releasing individuals and small to medium businesses from debt obligations. And why not? we did it for the banks 12 years ago.
From a professional/commercial point of view, I am concerned but not overly so. There will be a hell of a lot of legal disentangling to be done in due course.
From a professional/commercial point of view, I am concerned but not overly so. There will be a hell of a lot of legal disentangling to be done in due course.
A somewhat tedious update.
The hard top is off. And the weather has gone cold again.
The N/S/F suspension was knocking. It felt and sounded like worn anti-roll bar bushes but these were done less than 10,000miles ago. Anyway, I bought new ones and set about the job. As I removed the N/S/F wheel, I noticed the disc was knocking like a worn wheel bearing. Balls. Then I looked closely. Nothing wrong with the wheel bearing at all. Rather, whoever fitted the shock absorber last summer didn't do a very good job of tightening the nut and bolt that go through the hub. Bloody idiot. Nipped it up and abandoned the new bushes to my parts store, the old ones unsurprisingly looking not very old at all.
Whether it drives better remains to be seen. I'll risk contagion and the wrath of the Stasi (my neighbour is a curtain-twitcher...) tomorrow.
In other news, I ordered new rear discs and pads and wear sensors. I keep warping rear discs by braking too hard from very high speed. I'll have to check the callipers are not binding on.
The hard top is off. And the weather has gone cold again.
The N/S/F suspension was knocking. It felt and sounded like worn anti-roll bar bushes but these were done less than 10,000miles ago. Anyway, I bought new ones and set about the job. As I removed the N/S/F wheel, I noticed the disc was knocking like a worn wheel bearing. Balls. Then I looked closely. Nothing wrong with the wheel bearing at all. Rather, whoever fitted the shock absorber last summer didn't do a very good job of tightening the nut and bolt that go through the hub. Bloody idiot. Nipped it up and abandoned the new bushes to my parts store, the old ones unsurprisingly looking not very old at all.
Whether it drives better remains to be seen. I'll risk contagion and the wrath of the Stasi (my neighbour is a curtain-twitcher...) tomorrow.
In other news, I ordered new rear discs and pads and wear sensors. I keep warping rear discs by braking too hard from very high speed. I'll have to check the callipers are not binding on.
Edited by r129sl on Monday 13th April 11:13
I changed the rear discs and pads today, ably assisted by boy one. The aim is to cure the high speed vibration and the feeling of warped discs when braking from very high speed. No test drive yet, so I don't know whether it has worked. It is a bit of a shame because the existing discs and pads were hardly worn though all rusted up. Happily the suspension, renewed two years ago, still looks lovely.
Lovely new parts:
Existing discs and pads. I'd be surprised if these are 10,000miles old. Remove the cable holder (10mm) to improve access. On the other side, the wear indicator plugs in here.
Drive out the pad retaining pins with the delicious new punches bought last year:
Pull the pads. This took a bit of effort, jiggling and levering with a screw driver. Extra present here for CdeG.
Remove the calliper retaining bolts. 2 x 16mm. Access a bit tricky and some strength required. Suspend the calliper from the spring using cable ties.
Remove disc retaining pin, 5mm hex.
Pull disc off hub. This was tricky. Whacking it with a rubber mallet and then a hammer helped but in the end I realised it was stuck on the parking brake shoe.
Clean inside of wheel. Also don't forget to clean the inside of the calliper using a stiff brush.
Installation is the reverse of removal. The 129 is very easy to work on.
Lovely:
I took my time over this, cleaning any fixings, replacing where necessary, applying copper slip to everything, but it still only took an hour to do both sides. There is no brake pad wear sensor on this side but there is on the other. I removed the holder from the calliper (10mm nut) to improve access to the calliper retaining bolts and the pad retaining pins. Anyone could do this job, no special tools required other than the punch.
Lovely new parts:
Existing discs and pads. I'd be surprised if these are 10,000miles old. Remove the cable holder (10mm) to improve access. On the other side, the wear indicator plugs in here.
Drive out the pad retaining pins with the delicious new punches bought last year:
Pull the pads. This took a bit of effort, jiggling and levering with a screw driver. Extra present here for CdeG.
Remove the calliper retaining bolts. 2 x 16mm. Access a bit tricky and some strength required. Suspend the calliper from the spring using cable ties.
Remove disc retaining pin, 5mm hex.
Pull disc off hub. This was tricky. Whacking it with a rubber mallet and then a hammer helped but in the end I realised it was stuck on the parking brake shoe.
Clean inside of wheel. Also don't forget to clean the inside of the calliper using a stiff brush.
Installation is the reverse of removal. The 129 is very easy to work on.
Lovely:
I took my time over this, cleaning any fixings, replacing where necessary, applying copper slip to everything, but it still only took an hour to do both sides. There is no brake pad wear sensor on this side but there is on the other. I removed the holder from the calliper (10mm nut) to improve access to the calliper retaining bolts and the pad retaining pins. Anyone could do this job, no special tools required other than the punch.
Edited by r129sl on Saturday 25th April 14:04
No, nearside was more worn (not much) than offside. And the wheel was dirtier on the nearside, too. My thoughts are sticky calliper. I pushed the pistons back firmly before re-assembling and will keep an eye on it. New callipers are not the end of the world, price-wise.
Edit: new callipers are £56.10 at CarParts4Less, Pagid brand. They're all remanufactured ATE anyway. I think I'll order a pair together with new springs and pins.
Second edit: a nice "how to" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_kTlYBrlUo Question: The video does not very well illustrate the bleeding process. Do you need a pressure bleeder machine or can you just get someone to press the brake pedal until fluid comes out of the bleed nipple?
Edit: new callipers are £56.10 at CarParts4Less, Pagid brand. They're all remanufactured ATE anyway. I think I'll order a pair together with new springs and pins.
Second edit: a nice "how to" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_kTlYBrlUo Question: The video does not very well illustrate the bleeding process. Do you need a pressure bleeder machine or can you just get someone to press the brake pedal until fluid comes out of the bleed nipple?
Edited by r129sl on Saturday 25th April 20:30
I ordered new Pagid callipers (why does autocorrect keep spelling it double L? what is the correct spelling?) from CarParts4Less with a little trepidation. The discounted price is £46.56 per side plus £30 surcharge. Whether I ever get the £60 surcharge back remains to be seen. I could have ordered from EuroCarParts at £56 per side plus surcharge and recovered the surcharge over the counter but, having looked into it, Euro and CP4L are one and the very same, so I should be able to do that anyway. Whether the counter-hands at Euro will accept that is another matter. Anyway, we shall see. A nice job for next weekend. I am confident my boy and I can bleed the new callipers using pedal pressure.
In addition to the callipers, I bought some flared nut spanners (sub-£20 on Amazon), 2L of 331.0 MB brake fluid (another £20 on eBay) and the accessory set (£12 on Autodoc). I hope my new found confidence in my mechanical abilities is not misplaced...
In addition to the callipers, I bought some flared nut spanners (sub-£20 on Amazon), 2L of 331.0 MB brake fluid (another £20 on eBay) and the accessory set (£12 on Autodoc). I hope my new found confidence in my mechanical abilities is not misplaced...
Edited by r129sl on Sunday 26th April 10:15
Did an oil and filter change today as I can't quite recall when I last did it and it may be as many as 10,000miles ago. I used my new electric pump and persevered with it. Much easier than taking the under tray off but rubbish compared to a vacuum pump. It took about 20 minutes to drain 8 litres or so. Also, it gets its power from the car battery and on the SL it is in the boot so I had to run it off the 190. Another problem with the pump is that it is covered in oil and drips oil everywhere; both the in pipe and the out pipe inevitably are half full of oil when it has finished its business: not very conducive to a clean garage. I think I'll spring for a proper vacuum job with a big reservoir.
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