1979 Mercedes 450 SLC
Discussion
alabbasi said:
Rear shock bolts require the rear seat back to be removed and not the door cards.
I think I know where I've gone wrong here. Every guide I've seen shows the rear door cards being removed (well, the cards in the rear), but those are all for the SL, not the SLC. I can see from any image that the rear wheels on an SLC are so far back that you must be right. This might be simpler than I thought if I get a spring compressor. I've have a peek behind the rear seats. Thanks as always.<EDIT> Videos suggest I don't need compressors - just a jack and the correct tools.
Edited by paulyv on Thursday 27th April 20:00
I know i'm right because i've done the job :-). The shocks don't require spring compressors in the front or the rear. It's a simple job. If you have access to a lift, you can also do the subframe mounts. You'll need a muffler stand that screws up and down to lower the subframe enough to reach in and grab the sub frame mounts without launching the springs. Just three bolts and then you lower down turn by turn.
I had a 380SL for nearly ten years and the investment in preventive maintenance paid off so many times over in terms of how these cars drive and handle when properly set up. New shocks, all the suspension and steering perishables replaced, new XWX tyres, and it was an absolute pleasure. So refined, so easy to drive, such a wonderful motorway cruiser, really comfortable and so useable. They are brilliant cars.
Rumdoodle said:
I had a 380SL for nearly ten years and the investment in preventive maintenance paid off so many times over in terms of how these cars drive and handle when properly set up. New shocks, all the suspension and steering perishables replaced, new XWX tyres, and it was an absolute pleasure. So refined, so easy to drive, such a wonderful motorway cruiser, really comfortable and so useable. They are brilliant cars.
I would have to agree with you. For the past 4 years or so I have perhaps unfairly referred to this car as being remote form the road. New shocks have proved I was wrong and whilst it isn't a Lotus I can certainly feel the difference and can only imagine how worn my old shocks were. It's a far more direct experience now and even more of a pleasure to drive - quite the revelation.Hello all. What a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon it is, with Le Mans on the TV as well. I see Ferrari have won so likely to be an understated celebration on the circuit shortly....
Been out for a drive in the SLC this morning but with a slightly different mindset than usual given that the days of running around the local area are increasingly limited. Yes, the SLC is being sold. It'll be going online this month.
I just wanted to take the chance to thank anyone that read this thread, or indeed participated - your insight, advice or words of encouragement have been invaluable over the past 5-and-a-half years. The time has gone so quickly hasn't it?
CdG
Alabassi
R107
plenty of others who have popped in and out with interesting comments - thank you.
Over that time I've gone from someone who had never driven a classic Mercedes, to an owner, and eventually someone with valid insights and advice I could confidently impart to other people. I've loved the journey.
The car has been all over the UK, into continental Europe, and back again without once breaking down, failing to start or even stalling. It took pride of place outside Goodwood House amongst some far more expensive metal yet did not look out of place. It has taken the skin off my knuckles on many occasions, has been scratched by thoughtless passers by late at night, and has introduced me to a number of specialist garages who really know their stuff. Taking it to those garages also afforded me the opportunity to look over and sit in many more interesting Mercedes models including the original SL and George Harrison's huge 600. It also got me into The Times and the Daily Mail during those odd Brexit-fevered years due to the number plate it was adorned with.
I become seriously impressed with how well designed and built these older Mercedes are. If you are considering anything by Mercedes from this era I'd suggest you do your research but don't doubt that when you get the right one it'll look after you.
What next? Perhaps something with a manual gearbox and sharp handling, or perhaps a classic Mercedes W123 estate we can go on holidays in...not sure yet but whatever it is I won't be a stranger to this forum. I've not had an enormous amount of cars over the years, but they've all been interesting to me and are pictured below - even the Kangoo which was bought to enable someone in my family to have some independence. It was great fun to drive bouncing down the roads.
I am pleased to have managed to drive a proper V8 coupe for several years - something that won't always be possible.
I'll look forward to chatting on other threads and enjoy your driving.
Paul
Been out for a drive in the SLC this morning but with a slightly different mindset than usual given that the days of running around the local area are increasingly limited. Yes, the SLC is being sold. It'll be going online this month.
I just wanted to take the chance to thank anyone that read this thread, or indeed participated - your insight, advice or words of encouragement have been invaluable over the past 5-and-a-half years. The time has gone so quickly hasn't it?
CdG
Alabassi
R107
plenty of others who have popped in and out with interesting comments - thank you.
Over that time I've gone from someone who had never driven a classic Mercedes, to an owner, and eventually someone with valid insights and advice I could confidently impart to other people. I've loved the journey.
The car has been all over the UK, into continental Europe, and back again without once breaking down, failing to start or even stalling. It took pride of place outside Goodwood House amongst some far more expensive metal yet did not look out of place. It has taken the skin off my knuckles on many occasions, has been scratched by thoughtless passers by late at night, and has introduced me to a number of specialist garages who really know their stuff. Taking it to those garages also afforded me the opportunity to look over and sit in many more interesting Mercedes models including the original SL and George Harrison's huge 600. It also got me into The Times and the Daily Mail during those odd Brexit-fevered years due to the number plate it was adorned with.
I become seriously impressed with how well designed and built these older Mercedes are. If you are considering anything by Mercedes from this era I'd suggest you do your research but don't doubt that when you get the right one it'll look after you.
What next? Perhaps something with a manual gearbox and sharp handling, or perhaps a classic Mercedes W123 estate we can go on holidays in...not sure yet but whatever it is I won't be a stranger to this forum. I've not had an enormous amount of cars over the years, but they've all been interesting to me and are pictured below - even the Kangoo which was bought to enable someone in my family to have some independence. It was great fun to drive bouncing down the roads.
I am pleased to have managed to drive a proper V8 coupe for several years - something that won't always be possible.
I'll look forward to chatting on other threads and enjoy your driving.
Paul
Edited by paulyv on Sunday 11th June 15:37
just started reading from the beginning as I bought a 72 350 slc at the weekend. Will start a thread in due course.
in the meantime:
- is there an pdf workshop manual available anywhere to download FOC?
- which is the best forum for technical advice?
- which are the best parts sources?
mine was a bit of a bargain hence completely unplanned and unresearched, it's cosmetically decent and structurally excellent but has a whole host of mechanical maladies i need to sort out.
i notice there are other owners responding in the early pages albeit with some missing posts, are there other readers cars threads for the slc?
in the meantime:
- is there an pdf workshop manual available anywhere to download FOC?
- which is the best forum for technical advice?
- which are the best parts sources?
mine was a bit of a bargain hence completely unplanned and unresearched, it's cosmetically decent and structurally excellent but has a whole host of mechanical maladies i need to sort out.
i notice there are other owners responding in the early pages albeit with some missing posts, are there other readers cars threads for the slc?
shirt said:
i notice there are other owners responding in the early pages albeit with some missing posts, are there other readers cars threads for the slc?
I had one:https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If you start one can you link it please?
Factory manuals are available in CD format and paper ones are long gone but you may find some on ebay every so often. The CD manuals use flash and a very old version of adobe acrobat so expect to set up a VM with XP or Win98 on it for this purpose.
Haynes also has a manual for these cars which can be helpful. You'll need to familiarize yourself with how a Bosch D-Jetronic system works. The internet is your friend.
Haynes also has a manual for these cars which can be helpful. You'll need to familiarize yourself with how a Bosch D-Jetronic system works. The internet is your friend.
Thanks. I’ve seen the cd’s but don’t own a pc with a cd drive so was hoping for pdf. Guess this is something I need to resolve.
Is the Haynes manual the same one as for the sl or is it standalone?
Re the Bosch FI, one of the factors involved in the purchase is that my best mate has all the kit and know how to rebuild it. That’ll be one of the first jobs.
Drove the car this evening just to see what it’s like and to diagnose the noises and vibrations…. Will get it on the ramp at the weekend and see what I find. Deffo fallen quickly for this thing though, can see it being a joy to own and why you all loved yours just so.
Is the Haynes manual the same one as for the sl or is it standalone?
Re the Bosch FI, one of the factors involved in the purchase is that my best mate has all the kit and know how to rebuild it. That’ll be one of the first jobs.
Drove the car this evening just to see what it’s like and to diagnose the noises and vibrations…. Will get it on the ramp at the weekend and see what I find. Deffo fallen quickly for this thing though, can see it being a joy to own and why you all loved yours just so.
Hi 'Shirt'. Congratulations on a great purchase and I hope all is going well with it.
Apologies to all for overlooking the replies, but thank you for responding. My world has been exceedingly busy of late and currently neck deep in a work project.
My car is indeed up for sale, and has just gone up recently. Really interested to see if people get in touch, but I have noted this thread in the listing as it's been such fun to interact with you and gives anyone buying the car some insight into ownership.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15632792
Apologies to all for overlooking the replies, but thank you for responding. My world has been exceedingly busy of late and currently neck deep in a work project.
My car is indeed up for sale, and has just gone up recently. Really interested to see if people get in touch, but I have noted this thread in the listing as it's been such fun to interact with you and gives anyone buying the car some insight into ownership.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15632792
...and then it was sold.
Dropped it over to East London this morning to a terrifically knowledgeable buyer who I am sure will enjoy his time with the SLC.
What a wonderful six years I had with this car which never failed to make me feel like a movie star when I was driving it.
Thanks again for all your replies and encouragement and I will be back with something else in the coming months.
Enjoy your safe driving.
Dropped it over to East London this morning to a terrifically knowledgeable buyer who I am sure will enjoy his time with the SLC.
What a wonderful six years I had with this car which never failed to make me feel like a movie star when I was driving it.
Thanks again for all your replies and encouragement and I will be back with something else in the coming months.
Enjoy your safe driving.
Edited by paulyv on Saturday 7th October 01:09
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff