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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: jllgd on 16 July 2019, 10:49 AM

Title: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 16 July 2019, 10:49 AM
Anyone know from where to obtain a new steering drag link for the Mercedes 6.9?
It's NLA from the Classic Center in Irvine.

The part numbers I have are:

Drag Link
116 460 10 05

Drag Link
116-460-12-05

Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: TJ 450 on 17 July 2019, 08:39 AM
I would check Niemoeller, although chances of getting one are slim if the Classic Center doesn't have it.

Tim
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: PosedgeClk on 17 July 2019, 09:56 AM
Can you take a picture of your drag link if you have it removed? There may be a non-OE replacement.

I have been unimpressed with the linkage on the leveling valves. When I got my 6.9, the rear linkage fell to the ground when I gently nudged it with my finger. It had been dangling, half-disconnected. I found a W126 with rear SLS in the junkyard the other day, and a few feet from it on the ground was the linkage for the leveling valve, exactly like the one on the 6.9. Just moving the vehicle in the junkyard appears to have caused the thing to fall apart. I purchased a few tie rod ends from McMaster-Carr, stainless steel and with sealed boots, one left-hand and one right-hand threaded, and I intend on installing them on the rear SLS valves. I do not understand the function of the self-centering on the stock SLS joints, and there may not be any usefulness to it.

I am willing to experiment with off-the-shelf linkages as long as they would not pose a great safety risk. We might add the drag link to that list.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 17 July 2019, 10:06 AM
My drag link is on the car. And i don't have a picture unfortunately.
I've understand that this drag link is very specific to the 6.9.
If anyone has a lead to a new one I would appreciate it.

I looked at Niemöller's website! Thanks for the info. But I was not able to se the steering drag link listed there.
Thanks


Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: daantjie on 17 July 2019, 10:48 AM
Indeed the drag link on the 6.9 is bespoke.  Note also that there is an earlier and later style drag link, the difference being in the boots, from memory I think the early style has a dust cap of sorts.  I had a posting on this a while ago, let me dig it up and link it:

https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/drag-link-on-6-9/msg134120/#msg134120

I bought one from this outfit in Canada.  I found the guy hard to deal with, but I think he mainly wants to deal with the US, go figure...It says they are now out of stock, I guess I bought the last one ::)

Maybe try emailing him, maybe he has one more kicking around:

http://oldbenz.co/center-link-450sel-69-1164601205

Personally I would not monkey around with this part, it is a crucial part of your steering geometry, and in my opinion will affect the steering and thus overall safety, you do not want this thing to let go, however unlikely that may be to come to pass :o



Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: rumb on 17 July 2019, 11:22 AM
No telling if it is available unless you contact https://carmarka.com/en/mercedes-benz-spare-part-1164601205
There is a seller on ebay from dubai that is selling a lot of NOS parts lately, maybe this is the same company.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: PosedgeClk on 17 July 2019, 11:24 AM
The color of the unit in the second link jogged my memory.

Aftermarket ones are available.
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/1234601505

AutohausAZ sells a whole kit which also includes a steering damper, tie rod ends, and probably a few other pieces.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: rumb on 17 July 2019, 11:33 AM
Not sure that is correct kit for 6.9. the drag link PN is not correct. Autohaus doesn't know the difference between a 450SEL and a 450SEL 6.9.

I bought a new one 116-460-12-05  from MB on 4/2017.  I guess I got lucky and got one the last ones.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 17 July 2019, 07:39 PM
Thanks for the Autohaus link:
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/1234601505

Here is a picture from Autohaus, is it the correct steering drag link for the 6.9?


Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: s class on 18 July 2019, 01:20 AM
I recently ordered the 6.9 specific drag link for my red 6.9 via the normal dealer system here and it was no problem to get.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: TJ 450 on 18 July 2019, 05:46 AM
The one pictured above is the normal 450SEL one, so it won't fit. The only places you'll likely get one are via a dealer, the Classic Center, or anywhere else that can supply genuine parts. Pelican Parts will show it if you seach via part number (without the A).

Tim
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 18 July 2019, 07:35 AM
Quote from: s class on 18 July 2019, 01:20 AM
I recently ordered the 6.9 specific drag link for my red 6.9 via the normal dealer system here and it was no problem to get.

Hi, would you be able to tell the specific part number on the drag link you received?
And are you willing to tell from what dealer or source you got it from?
Recently you wrote, so was it this year?
Any email contact or link perhaps?
If I have to order it from Aussie, that's the way it have to be.
You may PM me if preferable.

Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 19 July 2019, 08:44 AM
Quote from: rumb on 17 July 2019, 11:22 AM
No telling if it is available unless you contact https://carmarka.com/en/mercedes-benz-spare-part-1164601205
There is a seller on ebay from dubai that is selling a lot of NOS parts lately, maybe this is the same company.

Thanks indeed for the Carmarka link. So I tried ordering it from Carmarka.
I put in the order and awaited their invoice.
They replied the day after that I should disregard the linked invoice as item was not available for purchase.

I will have to keep searching elsewhere. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: TJ 450 on 19 July 2019, 08:49 AM
See attached, Pelican Parts list it so that's a start. I have just remembered that they are different for left and right hand drive.

Tim
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 19 July 2019, 09:12 AM
Yes, I also ordered the drag link from Pelican Parts several weeks ago.
They have no clue what they are listing, selling or not.

Here is their reply, almost 5 weeks after I completed my online order:

We regret to inform you that we recently discovered the following Genuine Mercedes part(s) have been discontinued and are No Longer Available (NLA):

116-46-0-1205-MBZ
Drag Link, Brand: Mercedes-Benz 

At this time we do not have an alternate source for this part. If these were the only items purchased, we have cancelled and refunded your order. If there were other items purchased, they are still being processed and will ship as scheduled.

We are very sorry we are unable to fulfill your order as requested. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this message or give us a call at 1-888-280-7799 and we will be happy to further assist you.


Thank you,
Dina Corrales

Pelican Parts Customer Support
Phone: 1-888-280-7799 (US/Canada) / 310-626-8765 International
Pelican Parts Message Center: https://www.pelicanparts.com/support/ContactUs.htm
Track the status of your online order: https://www.pelicanparts.com/support/track_enter.htm

This PerlDesk message was sent by Pelican staff member Dina


Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: daantjie on 19 July 2019, 11:45 AM
Gents, pretty much I have found in my 116 journey, this is what I do, and I am sure other members will have other tricks too.
- Get part number - for this you will need some form of EPC access
- Next I google the part # and check for hits.
- If you see very little hits, or links to obscure Russian websites, this is a bad sign
- First prize is you see a link to an ebay listing, still active at a good price then pull the trigger, no brainer, especially if it is NOS.  I very rarely buy used parts, just not worth it unless you can confidently rebuild
- If you want to check if still available ex Benz, I only use the Classic Centre.  Pricey but this serves 2 purposes.  You know if it is till available new, and then of course you know how much you are going to have to pull your pants down for :-\

Cheers
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: TJ 450 on 20 July 2019, 06:00 AM
Back to the Pelican Parts thing... when you search for the MB part number, the results that appear are as per MB. The data may not be reflecting actual stock. 6.3 piston rings are still listed for example, which are definitely NLA. When the order is put through to MB, this is when it is confirmed. It is correct to say that they have no idea what is available until the order is placed for special order parts.

Still, it's probably the next best thing to the Classic Center for confirming parts availability, and you get list prices too.

Tim
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 21 July 2020, 04:31 PM
Anyone that can help with some 6.9 drag link measurements?
- length: center stud to center stud
- shaft diameter

Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: daantjie on 21 July 2020, 08:46 PM
Quote from: jllgd on 21 July 2020, 04:31 PM
Anyone that can help with some 6.9 drag link measurements?
- length: center stud to center stud
- shaft diameter

Thanks

As per service manual part # 116 460 0705 @ 515mm +/- 1.5mm.
No data on diameter.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 22 July 2020, 03:37 AM
From where did you obtain that part number?
Is that a drag link part number for the 6.9?

The part numbers I have are:
Drag Link
116 460 10 05

OR

Drag Link
116-460-12-05

Thanks!
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: UTn_boy on 23 July 2020, 08:04 AM
Daniel and JLLGD, all three of these part numbers are correct.  In the beginning 116-460-06-05 was the first and original part number.  That part number was replaced by 116-460-07-05, and then that number was replaced by 116-460-10-05, at the very end that part number was replaced by 116-460-12-05.  It doesn't matter which one of the four part numbers you get.  They're all four correct for a 6.9, and all four are good for research. 

Tim, there is no evidence in the books or EPC that suggests the RHD and LHD cars used different drag links or tie rods.  Both the book and EPC show the only one version (same part numbers) for LHD and RHD cars. 
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: TJ 450 on 23 July 2020, 09:08 AM
There is a difference between RHD/LHD, as the attachment point for the steering damper is on the opposite side. This differs from W108/9 etc where it is in the middle.

Tim
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: jllgd on 24 July 2020, 04:31 PM
Thanks for the measurement and info.
I didn't know there were 4 different part numbers...
So, the 6.9 center steering drag link length is 515mm +/- 1.5mm.
i believe that is center stud to center stud?

For comparison, anyone knowing the length of the drag link on a regular 450 SEL 4.5 liter?

Thanks
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: mottati on 27 January 2021, 06:26 PM
was there ever a solution to this? I recently bought a 6.9 and need to replace the tie rods and center link. Sources show the center link nla.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: daantjie on 27 January 2021, 06:37 PM
Yes the drag link is NLA.
Title: Re: Mercedes 6.9: New Steering Drag Link?
Post by: mottati on 27 January 2021, 06:53 PM
Found a "refurbished" part on eBay, looks like they replace the ball joints. Ordered and we'll see how it goes.