new project in my garage

[s class]

Good news - the owner has accepted my quote and given me the go-ahead to fit new spheres, strut top mounts, flush out the hydraulics, fit new front suspension bushes, engine timing chain etc.  He hasn't put up any money yet though.....

[Big_Richard]

hope your going to get the money first before proceeding, otherwise you may end up with yet another 6.9 project car

[s class]

I'm not too dumb.... but I am under pressure to get the car done as I need the space.  I have decided to do the work that involves minimal outlay first before he comes up with the money, so that I don't get too far behind schedule, yet at the same time don't outlay too much. 

[nathan]

excuse the late post,
attached are some pics from a service manual i have. hope these explain the heating system if not already done!
regards
nathan

[Mforcer]

I love learning new things about these cars. Answers to questions I didn't even know existed!

[pompy]

S Class... what's happening?

[s class]

The front suspension has been disassembled (not easy - the eccentric bolts were rusted fast and needed to be cut out).  The new bushes have arrived.  I have also received the new strut top mounts and front accumulators.  The new timing chain and associated bits have arrived at Cargo.  I collect tomorrow. 

[Big_Richard]

Ive still not had my front end realigned after replacing everything. I'm paranoid of having the local tyre neanderthals go near my car.

Wish it were possible to do a front end alignment at home, sufficiently to enable me to drive the 15km to the place that i trust.

So annoying! 

Hope you have somewhere near by to align it for you, because they really are shocking to drive when misconfigured.

[s class]

I have a competent alignement place (a rare commodity here) about 5km from where I live.  I use them for all my cars and other people's projects.  In other words, I'm there at least once a month, so I get special treatment.  Basically I use their set-up and do the alignment myself. 

[s class]

OK so here's the piccies of the lower control arm bushes. 

Bush and eccentric bolt severed :



old stuff pressed out :



As you can see, the outer steel sheathes are quite rusted.

the result of this is that the inner bores of the lower control arm mounting points are corroded too :







Are these control arms useable, or are they too structurally compromised?

Ideas?

[Big_Richard]

how much metal thickness is left in the walls of the inner bores? They look pretty rooted to me. If that last picture isnt being deceptive with the thickness, id be tossing that in the garbage as its unsafe for road use.

[TJ 450]

I'd be asking the same questions as PB. I suppose it really depends on how much metal is missing.
It certainly looks like they've seen a bit of use.

Tim

[s class]

Thanks guys.  I'll cast around for used items, and then put it to the owner for his options. 

[s class]

Right,

I had the lower control arms bead-blasted, and they have come up very nicely indeed.  The crustiness inside those bushing bores, that I thought was corrision of the cast iron, was in fact just impacted rust from the bushing sheathes, and vulcanised rubber.  Once cleaned up, the original machining marks were still evident in the bores, and I'm quite confident there has been no loss of structural integrity.  I've painted the bits and pieces, and they look like a million bucks.  Very nice.  I'll get some photos up this weekend. 

[s class]

finally, some progress pictures :

Here's the lower control arms after blasting and painting :







Some new bits and pieces :