Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)
Discussion
A few weeks ago, before all of this silly self-incarceration and economic incineration, Mrs r129sl reported a "funny noise" while driving the Spartan. Turns out on casual inspection the exhaust had snapped in two. My inspection obviously was too casual because I ordered the wrong bit from Merc. I ordered the centre section when in fact the break was just ahead of that at the end of the downpipes. By the time I realised, ordering parts from Merc had become too much of a chore and so I ordered the one available alternative, a Klarius item from CarParts4Less, aka EuroCarParts but 15% cheaper (why? why?).
After toying with the idea of DIY, I found the one local man who was not sucking his teeth while resting his feet. He agreed to put it on this Saturday morning. With the family following in the trusty 124, I risked what liberty I had left with a very blowy exhaust and a journey to offend all jobsworths to local man's premises three miles away. A call at 1pm suggested it would not fit. A visit at 4 and I could see why. I think Klarius must have studied the pattern from afar, perhaps from as far away as the moon, when they tooled up for this one. It was way out at both ends and in the middle. Local man asked me whether I wanted him to cut and weld the new part. There was no alternative. By 6pm it was ready. Local man's welds were far superior to Herr Klarius'. Perhaps he is styled Xiānshēng Klarius these days.
He had done a fine job of making the best of it. J T Auto Services Limited in Hadston, Northumberland. I am going to send more work his way, specifically the installation of the genuine product once I have persuaded Mercedes to sell it to me.
No photos, I am sorry. Car remains utterly beautiful.
After toying with the idea of DIY, I found the one local man who was not sucking his teeth while resting his feet. He agreed to put it on this Saturday morning. With the family following in the trusty 124, I risked what liberty I had left with a very blowy exhaust and a journey to offend all jobsworths to local man's premises three miles away. A call at 1pm suggested it would not fit. A visit at 4 and I could see why. I think Klarius must have studied the pattern from afar, perhaps from as far away as the moon, when they tooled up for this one. It was way out at both ends and in the middle. Local man asked me whether I wanted him to cut and weld the new part. There was no alternative. By 6pm it was ready. Local man's welds were far superior to Herr Klarius'. Perhaps he is styled Xiānshēng Klarius these days.
He had done a fine job of making the best of it. J T Auto Services Limited in Hadston, Northumberland. I am going to send more work his way, specifically the installation of the genuine product once I have persuaded Mercedes to sell it to me.
No photos, I am sorry. Car remains utterly beautiful.
I am inevitably looking to replace the Klarius downpipes. I have figured out the problem. They are for a LHD car. The man has done an amazing job of making them fit but there is interference with the steering box lever arm on full right-hand lock and there is also a bit of noise from the manifold join. Unfortunately, it appears the genuine Mercedes part is NLA (A2014905619). If anyone has any suggestions, they would be gratefully received. I am guessing I will be best off having stainless steel down pipes manufactured...
I have sourced a good condition used downpipes. I'll fit it myself next week.
The car hasn't been used much and as a result the electric antenna mask jammed up. I removed it from the car, dismantled it, freed off the mast, but completely failed to fix it, then made it worse by bending the mast while reinstalling it, so I have ordered a new one from good old Car Masts UK. £63 but life's too short.
In other news boy one and I did the oil and filter. 180,366miles. We have had this car five years and 63,000miles now, which amazes me.
The car hasn't been used much and as a result the electric antenna mask jammed up. I removed it from the car, dismantled it, freed off the mast, but completely failed to fix it, then made it worse by bending the mast while reinstalling it, so I have ordered a new one from good old Car Masts UK. £63 but life's too short.
In other news boy one and I did the oil and filter. 180,366miles. We have had this car five years and 63,000miles now, which amazes me.
Edited by r129sl on Saturday 16th May 17:47
I have fitted new tyres today, the first since we got it five years ago. The Continental Eco Contact 3s we have used in summer have given us over 30,000miles and the TS850 Winter Contacts about the same. There is plenty of meat left on the winters if anyone wants to buy four steel wheels with winter tyres. We have plumped for Continental All Season Contacts, I am getting fed up of changing so many wheels twice a year.
I also changed the front brake pads. Unfortunately there is a bit of a smell from the brakes after a drive and also a curious vibration from one side when braking. I have obviously done something wrong. The near side pads were much more worn than the offsides, so I suspect that caliper is sticking and binding on. Any advice?
I am also replacing the antenna with a new one supplied by the ever-helpful Car Masts UK chap.
I also changed the front brake pads. Unfortunately there is a bit of a smell from the brakes after a drive and also a curious vibration from one side when braking. I have obviously done something wrong. The near side pads were much more worn than the offsides, so I suspect that caliper is sticking and binding on. Any advice?
I am also replacing the antenna with a new one supplied by the ever-helpful Car Masts UK chap.
Check that the caliper sliders move freely, and the rubber dust boot is not torn. Next ensure the pads themselves slide freely in the caliper bracket. Had a similar problem before and it was corrosion on the caliper piston causing it to stick on.
If you've got some spare time have a look at South Main Auto on YouTube. He has a number of 'brake job' videos with plenty of hints and tips. As a bonus Eric is quite entertaining to watch.
If you've got some spare time have a look at South Main Auto on YouTube. He has a number of 'brake job' videos with plenty of hints and tips. As a bonus Eric is quite entertaining to watch.
It's definitely a sticking near side front caliper. I have disassembled and re-fitted the pads, checking the sliders as I went, they move freely. Not sure what next, really. I am guessing it is the piston sticking. I may just have to spring for a new one. I think first I will try popping the piston half out then pushing it back in. Also, I realised I pushed the piston back without taking the cap off the fluid reservoir but this shouldn't make any difference. I will watch Eric for tips.
Michael, I should be OK.
I had one of those "I am an idiot, why do I even try?" moments just now. I went out and refitted the pads for the third time. I realised that when I did them the second time, I put the inner pad in back to front. What a cretin. I've driven about two miles on it. Oops. It seems OK but I'm going to order new ones so I can do the brake job a fourth time.
Anyway, I took the cap off the reservoir this time, pushed the piston back, pressed the brake pedal and drove the piston out (not completely), had a good look at the seals, then pushed it back and re-assembled everything. I took it for another drive. It drives straight and pulls up straight. No knocking. No bad smell when I got home. The temperature was even side to side. I'll give it another go tomorrow but I've lost confidence in it, so I am going to replace the calipers, discs and pads on both sides. The discs are not lipped but they do look ancient. And I have to remember, it looks like the nearside caliper was knackered before because the pads were so much more worn than on the offside.
Two photos. As I say, the discs are not lipped at all but they look well rusted.
And the new tyres. I love the coloured stripes on new tyres. What are they for?
I had one of those "I am an idiot, why do I even try?" moments just now. I went out and refitted the pads for the third time. I realised that when I did them the second time, I put the inner pad in back to front. What a cretin. I've driven about two miles on it. Oops. It seems OK but I'm going to order new ones so I can do the brake job a fourth time.
Anyway, I took the cap off the reservoir this time, pushed the piston back, pressed the brake pedal and drove the piston out (not completely), had a good look at the seals, then pushed it back and re-assembled everything. I took it for another drive. It drives straight and pulls up straight. No knocking. No bad smell when I got home. The temperature was even side to side. I'll give it another go tomorrow but I've lost confidence in it, so I am going to replace the calipers, discs and pads on both sides. The discs are not lipped but they do look ancient. And I have to remember, it looks like the nearside caliper was knackered before because the pads were so much more worn than on the offside.
Two photos. As I say, the discs are not lipped at all but they look well rusted.
And the new tyres. I love the coloured stripes on new tyres. What are they for?
To replace everything is about £250 in parts including £40 or so of core charges. This includes:
- left and right calipers (TRW, not my preference but the best available)
- left and right flexi hoses (Brembo)
- pads (Brembo)
- discs (Brembo)
- new sliders and boots (Bosch)
- wear indicators (Febi)
CharlesdeGaulle said:
r129sl said:
And the new tyres. I love the coloured stripes on new tyres. What are they for?
It's to make the car go faster. It's the equivalent of a stick-on M Badge on a BMW - almost matching colours too. tbh, I don't think that your error is unforgivable. You simply aren't a practiced and proficient mechanic and developing a methodology takes time without training and regular practice. How can anyone learn l, if not from their mistakes?
I once cleaned bird lime off my Mini when I was in Uni with iron wool... it ate at me every time I went to get in the car.
I once cleaned bird lime off my Mini when I was in Uni with iron wool... it ate at me every time I went to get in the car.
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