6.9 suspension valve, version 2.0

[wbrian63]

If you wait around long enough, you can come across auctions on eBay that make things like this more affordable.

I have this one, which I paid $200US for, plus another one just like it that cost $35US.

It is good to know there's a cache of parts somewhere - even if it is being depleted. I have some knowledge of how to mold rubber, and access to a resource that can tell me the best type to use, so I'll be looking to create a mold to build some new bellows. If I can get the concept to work, should be a slice of pie to recreate the bellows in other areas of the car (front strut ball joints, for example, or is it rear strut ball joints?? - one of them is NLA).



And completely OT, but I'm pleased about this one...



Everything works smooth as when new. Cost a whopping $19US plus a few bux for freight. The dark area in the green stripe is the shadow cast from the knob. I don't need the frame near as much as I do the workings, which are intact. Even the detents work in the fan switch...

[WGB]

I do apologise on behalf of the seller, as the owner of the valves went on holidays and instructed his son to post them off. Subsequently, they were insufficiently packaged and have sustained some mild cosmetic damage. None the less, they should function perfectly as they are N.O.S.

Thanks PB - the packaging was a little light on for such a heavy object but I don't think a chance like that will come along in the near future so trhanks for the opportunity.

Bill

[nathan]

i am outraged and hold u personally responsible for getting me a bargain i would otherwise not have found!

Vrian, 200 US?!! thats is a sensational offer, as i am more than happy with our 500 buck acquisition.

[wbrian63]

The $35 one is a better deal. Even still, finding these things NOS is getting harder and harder. I watch eBay most every day. Most sellers know what they've got, but a few don't, and that's when the deals can be made. The $35 valve was listed as "unknown Mercedes valve", if I remember correctly. Buy-it-now at $35 - SOLD...

[s class]

The problem is that those items that are incompletely/improperly described are also hard to find with saved searches, unless you are happy to search through hundreds of false positives every day. 

[TJ 450]

The reason it sold so cheaply is because nobody could find it.

They are all a bargain whichever way you look at it.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

i am outraged and hold u personally responsible for getting me a bargain i would otherwise not have found!

Vrian, 200 US?!! thats is a sensational offer, as i am more than happy with our 500 buck acquisition.

dont feel too hard done by, that $200 valve is the 116 part number, meaning its been sitting on a shelf for over 20 years. The later 126 valve part number valves we have started as soon as the w126 560SEL was released so the ones we have are considerably newer.

[wbrian63]

I take it these things aren't like a fine wine, getting better with age?

[Big_Richard]

doubtful

however, as long has they have remained sealed from the atmosphere with the factory plastic plugs for that entire time, they will be fine.

[nathan]

out of interest, how old do you think Brians valve is. if it were older than 88, wouldnt it say made in west germanY?

[Big_Richard]

Thats a very interesting point considering the German reunification formally concluded on October 3rd, 1990.

Was it a standard practice for MB parts to be marked as made in West Germany prior to this time?

There may of been a period of time where both version valves were manufactured at the same time, but that wouldnt of lasted long.

[TJ 450]

It's probably 1980s vintage. When did MB introduce bar-coding for their wares?

BTW, even with 1970s parts, Made in Germany was a common marking. The VIN plate says Made in Germany.

Tim