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280SE Outer Sill replacement underway!

Started by littlefin, 16 February 2012, 02:59 PM

littlefin

I went to visit my 280SE today, and I am happy to report work is definitely underway!
I think the car looks a little sad with the interior removed, but it's in a good cause  ;)


I don't have any photos of 'before' yet, but here it is with outer sills removed:


Inner sills look very healthy, and front wings not too bad either, thankfully



Outer Sill replacement is Stage One.
Stage Two is repairing both rear chassis legs, which involves dropping the rear subframe down.
Consequently I am planning to have the rear subframe bushes replaced at the same time.

Hoping to get the car back in a month or so... More photos to follow...
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

mirafioriman

Caught the rot in time there. Often the inner sills and jacking points are in much worse condition......
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

littlefin

So I understand. We are replacing the front jacking points to be on the safe side.

I am really pleased that the rot hasn't gone too far.
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

Casey

The sills on my SE are not good - they look okay from outside but the jack points make scary rusty sounds if you try to use them, so I don't. This gives some hope as I thought it wouldn't be worth saving. Wonder how much a job like this costs...

littlefin

Quote from: Raptelan on 18 February 2012, 12:06 AM
The sills on my SE are not good - they look okay from outside but the jack points make scary rusty sounds if you try to use them, so I don't. This gives some hope as I thought it wouldn't be worth saving. Wonder how much a job like this costs...

Scary amount  :'(
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

mirafioriman

I guess it depends who does it ;)

One thing you can't control is the price of new parts from Mercedes however. Pattern sills are no use for this job really as they are too thin and usually designed to go over the original sills.

It's not too bad a job to do if the inner sills and jacking points are sound. If they have gone too, then it's more work and more expense! On my 6.3 the rot also extended into the floor......
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

littlefin

Quote from: mirafioriman on 22 February 2012, 04:42 PM
One thing you can't control is the price of new parts from Mercedes however. Pattern sills are no use for this job really as they are too thin and usually designed to go over the original sills.

It's not too bad a job to do if the inner sills and jacking points are sound. If they have gone too, then it's more work and more expense! On my 6.3 the rot also extended into the floor......

Ouch! That makes my repair work look very straightforward. I'm using all original Mercedes parts - panels included. My repairer wouldn't use pattern parts for that very reason. Deep pockets required though  :(
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

Mforcer

Thanks for sharing the photos. I am hoping my sills are ok and am trying to get a camera on a flexible tube to have a look inside them.
Michael
1977 450SE [Brilliant Red]
2006 B200

mirafioriman

The genuine Mercedes parts are expensive but the ones I got for my 6.3 at least are good quality and actually fit :) so you spend less time fitting them. They look much better and more original.
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

littlefin

#9
Stage Two is underway -  there's definitely no turning back now! The rear subframe was removed today...





In order to facilitate the repair of the rear chassis legs/rear wheel tubs.



Apart from the rust damage to the rear chassis legs, some surface rust on the rear crossmember and the rusted-off bump stop, it's really not too bad back here overall




The rust is largely superficial and evrything should clean up nicely. It's all much more accessible with the rear subframe removed. We will of course be cleaning up the underside and acid treating the rust before waxoyling and injecting wax into all the cavities to prevent further corrosion prior to re-assembly.

All the rubber suspension components were original and therefore rather suspect at 33 years old. We are taking the opportunity to replace the rear subframe mounts, control arm bushes, anti-roll bar bushes and links. All these jobs are much more straightforward with the subframe on the floor. I can't afford new shocks at this stage, but they can easily be changed at a later date. This is all that remained of one of the subframe mounts after disassembly:



The final part of this stage of the repair is to the Right Hand Rear wheel arch. This area is very scabby and crusty and is letting the whole car down. Although the car's paintwork overall isn't brilliant, this is pretty bad...



So the rusted area will be cut out, the inner wing made good and a repair panel welded in. This operation is also going to be a great deal easier with the rear subframe removed. After that it's just a question of stripping the wheel tubs and respraying with stonechip then repainting all the repaired areas in body colour [Mittel Rot 516].
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

mirafioriman

Nice work. It's the only way to do a proper job ;)
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

littlefin

Quote from: Mforcer on 22 February 2012, 05:27 PM
Thanks for sharing the photos. I am hoping my sills are ok and am trying to get a camera on a flexible tube to have a look inside them.

No problem! I know you are engaged on a major journey yourself! I'm not in a position to do major repairs myself, but I've been following your posts with interest since I joined the forum. Luckily for me the rust in my car hasn't spread to the floor so my interior is free from water damage  8)

It was looking inside my sills with an endoscope that persuaded me to get them replaced. The condition of the jacking points and the area around them is a good indicator of the condition inside the sill I would say. Also if you thump the underside of the sill and can hear loose material jumping around inside, that's not a good sign  :(
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

littlefin

#12
Hi all!  Things have moved along a little since my last post. The whole of the rear underside has now been cleaned off, anti-rust treated and undersealed.

Everything looking much more like it should...


The similarly treated rear subframe has now been refitted, complete with new subframe mountings, wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar bushes & links
Beginning to look the business, I'm sure you'll agree?

All that needs doing back here now is new brake calipers and brake hoses!
110011 1967 230
108057 1972 280SE3.5
116024 1979 280SE
126037 1983 500SEL
124030 1989 300E

calvin streeting


Big_Richard

#14
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