1978 Mercedes Benz 280S 'AMG' 4spd manual

[zook]

thanks for your help guys! not sure if the slave is moving the fork..tried poking a large screwdriver in there, but the fact i cant move it doesnt really prove anything!

slave cylinder isnt leaking, wasnt wet when i pulled it off, in fact i was told by the PO that both cylinders had recently been replaced, and certainly, the hose is new. didnt end up finishing the bleed, not sure when i will, but fairly confident if i do that right it should fix it!!

[zook]

mmmmmmmmk. so.

seeing as the meet last saturday didnt go ahead, i took a break in my 'studying' to have a fiddle with the car. hopped in, contemplated putting the interior back together, but cbf lol plus it had been a fairly warm day, so she was smelling pretty ripe. Damn smoking POs!!

I decided instead to give the clutch pedal a bit of a prod..after driving my dads subaru the prev weekend, it actually felt fine. nice nd firm, how it should. so i started her up, got her idling steadily (bit of a recent occurance) and tried putting her into gear.

noooooope. scrunched when i tried reverse. the was resistance with the other gears, but not as bad as reverse, probably due to the fact that reverse is the only linkage with with intact rubbers

I did manage to bump it into first without any untoward sounds..though depressing and releasing the clutch pedal had absolutely no effect on how fast the wheels spun..

so THEN, i did something i shoulda done a while ago; went and felt the resistance of the clutch pedals on my parents cars...the benz turned out to be around the same as the 98 Forester, firmer than our dual cab Mazda, but nowhere near as firm as the new aquisition, an 03 Forester. So, about where I'd expect it to be. hmmm.

this, has lead me to believe that its the clutch itself that is the issue. the thought of having to take the gearbox off again doesnt fill me with excitement..but that shall have to wait until ive finished exams!! feeling much better about it all though, since the way forward seems a bit clearer

on the upside, my parents have upgraded their car, and ive been allowed to commandeer the old one, since 350,000kms of dirt roads and country highways means it aint worth much anymore! couldnt have asked for a better outcome: a roomy, efficient 4wd wagon, and coz its such an early model Subaru, i can stick my aftermarket impreza exhaust on to make lovely obnoxiously loud rumbling sounds ..but only once ive scraped together the money to buy it off my dad. *ahem*

Cheers
Chris

[Tony66_au]

So in gear, clutch in or out she doesn't move?

Box out mate, and den...........

Take some piccies of the clutch assy bolted up before you take it off again and when you get it off the flywheel take a few of that as well.

Post em here and go from there.

Good news on the daily driver too mate, keep the Benz as a club car eh?

[Tony66_au]

Oh BTW, the smell in your car?

If its a sharpish chemical smell its probably burnt dashboard and medium rare vinyl, my SE was never smoked in when I got it (All ashtrays brand new and untouched) and after a good hot day it smelt like old ashtray fire.

I ended up giving it a wipedown with eucy oil and soapy water while cleaning it out and that knocked it down a peg or 2

[zook]

nah in gear she moves (or wheels spin ) but putting clutch in doesnt make them slow down/stop spinning

but yeah, box is coming off, will post some pics when i have the time..

i did consider just keeping the benz on a permit, but i have the money and *maybe* the time so ill try to keep it registered. if not, no drama.

Oh BTW, the smell in your car?

If its a sharpish chemical smell its probably burnt dashboard and medium rare vinyl, my SE was never smoked in when I got it (All ashtrays brand new and untouched) and after a good hot day it smelt like old ashtray fire.

I ended up giving it a wipedown with eucy oil and soapy water while cleaning it out and that knocked it down a peg or 2

mmm its definitely been smoked in, found several mummified cigarettes under the front seat ill give the eucalyptus oil a go though, cheers! use No. 1002? haha

[oversize]

One question; do you have the rear wheels off the ground???  If there's a slight drag and they're still spinning, it's any wonder you're having trouble shifting into reverse....  Try it with your foot firmly on the brake if you haven't already....

[zook]

haha yeah wheels are off the ground, and i didnt try to shift into reverse after I had it in 1st!!!

[oversize]

BTW 'Cuddly' refill packs and 'Damprid' do a good job of keeping the odours at bay if you're not using your car regularly

[Tony66_au]

Im wondering if the thrust bearing on the fork isn't different to the one you removed which looked far heavier duty.

Almost worth considering buying another clutch kit from MB Spares to have on hand when you pull the box Chris and I fully understand why your be frustrated with the shitfight.

Stick with it though mate, you will know why it was worth it the first time you take her for a blat to Melbourne.

[zook]

when i was putting the kit on i was quite concerned with that fact, but consoled myself with the knowledge that the kit was Sachs branded, as I'm pretty sure theyre the original manufacturers..still a valid point though.

that said, it is highly likely the MB Spares kit will be the same..can't see myself shelling out another $500 or so, but I think I might run some part #s by them to check.

not gonna get rid of her now that ive got alternative transport, thats for sure. actually picked up a few bits today in springvale, got some good condish heater knobs and surround, plus some replacement bolts for a couple that may have snapped

also snapped up a 280SEL badge, and the rear reading lights from it, if anyone's interested

Cheers guys

[zook]

Todays haul:



including the badge and reading lights from a 280SEL, heater facia (musta dropped the knobs somewhere, balls!), plus the 1st aid kit from a W126, nice little set of sub wiring (RCAs, power lead, trigger), a short shifter for the Forester plus a 'fancy' Camry sunvisor that has a mirror in it..gf will be pleased

My entire (Melbourne based) collection of Benz bits:



As above, plus a W116 1st aid kit, badges for 450 and 280 SE, rear star, W124 ornament, rear star and 260E badge (which will probably be binned. plastic crap!!) as well a 3 hole W116 dash switch surround, with a rear light and sunroof switch..

all for sale, btw, except the heater facia

[Tony66_au]

Nice haul Chris!

Whats the part number off the clutch kit mate?

[zook]

errrr..couldnt tell you, all the stuff's at my parents..could guess by trawling the sachs website?

[oversize]

Who's been playing around in Photobucket???  LOL!  Your initial pix have disappeared!!!   

[zook]

done. so much for my lovely organised folders lol