450SEL 6.9 - Daily driver project

[Delibes]

Yet another question: there was a very trustworthy member in this forum who rebuilds the hydraulic components. Who was he?

[rumb]

There are 2, daantjie  and tcj

[UTn_boy]

Delibes, there is also Martin Werminghausen.  Here is his website:  http://www.600airsuspension.com/.  Very trustworthy, and extremely knowledgeable. 

[rumb]

I know nothing about Martin, and I'm sure he has done a lot for the M-100's over the years, but you can now buy a new front strut for $680.80, so why would you pay him $850 to rebuild one?  He has been able to ask that much in the past as he was just about the only solution.

[daantjie]

I know nothing about Martin, and I'm sure he has done a lot for the M-100's over the years, but you can now buy a new front strut for $680.80, so why would you pay him $850 to rebuild one?  He has been able to ask that much in the past as he was just about the only solution.

Robert do you know for sure if all 4 struts are again available new from Benz? I checked a few months ago and the leveling valves were indeed available again @ $1640 USD full retail but at that time struts were still NLA.

[UTn_boy]

Rumb, front struts, parts numbers 116-320-25-13, 116-320-26-13, 116-320-38-13, and 116-320-39-13, and rear struts, part numbers 116-320-36-13 and 116-320-37-13 are currently not available, and haven't been for quite a while.  If they were available Martin wouldn't offer a rebuild service for them.  Furthermore, not everyone is privy to wholesale costs, and retail pricing must be taken into consideration when making mention of cost.  The last retail prices for the front struts were anywhere between $700 and $1,200 each.  The rear ones last retailed for $1,500 each.  If I were looking for struts I'd certainly be happy to pay Martin's prices considering.  Mercedes knows that there are several people worldwide that rebuild these, so they have no interest in supplying these struts any longer, especially knowing no one would buy them at their prices.  Though, that sometimes doesn't stop them. 

Daantjie, the original part number for the leveling valves was replaced by a 126 part number, and in EPC there is a footnote that say the valve is to be "adapted during assembly."  Do you know what adaptations are necessary, and if not, does anyone else know what the footnote is referring to? 

[daantjie]

Rumb, front struts, parts numbers 116-320-25-13, 116-320-26-13, 116-320-38-13, and 116-320-39-13, and rear struts, part numbers 116-320-36-13 and 116-320-37-13 are currently not available, and haven't been for quite a while.  If they were available Martin wouldn't offer a rebuild service for them.  Furthermore, not everyone is privy to wholesale costs, and retail pricing must be taken into consideration when making mention of cost.  The last retail prices for the front struts were anywhere between $700 and $1,200 each.  The rear ones last retailed for $1,500 each.  If I were looking for struts I'd certainly be happy to pay Martin's prices considering.  Mercedes knows that there are several people worldwide that rebuild these, so they have no interest in supplying these struts any longer, especially knowing no one would buy them at their prices.  Though, that sometimes doesn't stop them. 

Daantjie, the original part number for the leveling valves was replaced by a 126 part number, and in EPC there is a footnote that say the valve is to be "adapted during assembly."  Do you know what adaptations are necessary, and if not, does anyone else know what the footnote is referring to?

Aaron it is merely the arm on top of the valve which changed slightly but the valve itself is exactly the same. Usually you  just match the new valve to the sway bar connecter already on your car.

[tcj]

"to be adapted during assembly" in the EPC refers to the pressure regulator  (not to the axle valves).
You just have to turn the flange of the w126 pressure regulator so it matches the w116-pressure regulator.
Thats all.

Thomas

[daantjie]

"to be adapted during assembly" in the EPC refers to the pressure regulator  (not to the axle valves).
You just have to turn the flange of the w126 pressure regulator so it matches the w116-pressure regulator.
Thats all.

Thomas

Thomas I respectfully have to disagree with you here.  The leveling valve "connecting arm" to the sway bar has a different mounting/connecting point arrangement from earlier to later versions.  On the later ones the arm ends in a ball joint end, and on the earlier 6.9 arms the arm simply has a hole drilled into the "flat bar" and this is where you connect the connecting rod that has the ball joints already fitted at both ends.

I agree with you that the pressure regulator fits slightly differently upon the fluid tank of the W126 and the 6.9, and yes you would have to orientate the flange so that you can attach the high pressure feed hose from the hydro pump.

[tcj]

sorry, you were right, I am wrong. Yes, the W126-axle valve also has the comment "to be adapted during assembly".

Regards,
Thomas

[UTn_boy]

Ah ok.  Thank you.  I had been wondering. 

[floyd111]

This forum makes me wish I were a mechanic.

[Delibes]

This forum makes me wish I were a mechanic.

I just happen to be in a very unique position! I work for a classic car dealership with its own workshop; it is fairly well-equipped and our mechanics are very knowledgeable about the older cars. Combined with my previous Mercedes knowledge (restored Gullwings, Pagodas and my W123 a while back), it should make for a very exciting project.

The car and new wheels will be loaded this coming week. Can't wait to have it in Dubai!

[rumb]

well, I confess my memory has completely failed me on this one.  I must of confused the struts with the valves somehow in my mind.  I stand corrected.

[Delibes]

Does anybody have the part # for the 6.9 fuel pump handy? I will replace it along with the filter and accumulator, which are the same ones as the 'standard' 450SEL.