Topic: My Custom 1980 300SD Project Part 2

[floyd111]

Wow!

[TJ 450]

I’ve used Vaseline in the past, and also silicone grease, although any kind of lubricant that remains as such is probably not ideal in the long term (it may allow the bushing to rotate in service).

Tim

[Squiggle Dog]

I’ve used Vaseline in the past, and also silicone grease, although any kind of lubricant that remains as such is probably not ideal in the long term (it may allow the bushing to rotate in service).

Tim

Silicone grease was my first consideration, but I worried about the bushings rotating. Isn't Vaseline petroleum-based and not suited for rubber?

Edit: I looked it up and apparently it's petroleum-based and contains hydrocarbons, both bad for EPDM rubber. (I can't believe people put it on their skin!)

[orientrot]

What was the price for those remanned axles? I need to do something about mine before I get my car back into service.

[Squiggle Dog]

What was the price for those remanned axles? I need to do something about mine before I get my car back into service.

$189 each plus $75 core charge each plus $34 shipping to Arizona.

[Squiggle Dog]

The parking brake cable housings had the rubber worn off of them where they went through the grommets.


I filled in the worn spots with RTV.


Then I put 5/8" heavy wall self-adhesive heat shrink tubing cut down to 1 1/2" sections over them to protect against future wear.


And then shrank it down with a heat gun.


I wasn't able to move the cables out of the grommets on the trailing arms without removing the cables, but I was able to partially shrink the tubing and then slide it through the grommets and shrink it down.

[Peter]

Very nice work Sir.

[Squiggle Dog]

I put Kable-Ease lubricant in the cables and let it soak in. One of the rubber boots was split, so I put 1/2"-1/4" heat shrink tubing on them to help preserve them.



The plastic coating on the end of the cable had stress cracks, so I filled them in with clear PorPatch.


The rear axle parts are cleaned up and ready to assemble.


The underside of the car was filthy, most of it having to do with a leaking differential and road grime. I could not live with it, so I started scraping away the large stuff and then washed it all with LA's Totally Awesome Cleaner by hand with a brush and scrubbing pad. It was a horrible process which involved me being soaking wet and covered in dirt and grease (including my face) with the car being right over me.

[Squiggle Dog]

It is finally clean! After scrubbing and hosing it down, I applied rust converter to some rusty spots and then applied Meguiar's Ultimate Wax by hand. Then I applied 303 Touchless Sealant to really repel dirt so the underside of the car stays clean.





There's a badly rusted spot in the right rear wheelhouse to which I applied rust converter. It will need attention in the future.

[TJ 450]

Man, that looks great. That is a really unpleasant job without question. That wheel arch rust is pretty typical, at least with the hole there water isn’t trapped behind any longer.

Tim

[rumb]

That's great to document where the shultz goes on the underside of the car.  Looks great when back to factory with no grime!  Did you replace LSD fiber discs and rear axle carrier bearings?   I'm still in process to do the same work as you just did.

[Squiggle Dog]

That's great to document where the shultz goes on the underside of the car.  Looks great when back to factory with no grime!  Did you replace LSD fiber discs and rear axle carrier bearings?   I'm still in process to do the same work as you just did.

This differential isn't limited slip, so it doesn't have any of the fiber washers. The KOYO bearings were in good condition and weren't replaced.

[daantjie]

Nicely done SDOG, I too like to clean as much as I can as I go along, crappy job but the rewards are usually very satisfying   I cannot stand putting a grimy part back on a car, I have to surgically clean it!

[revilla]

Squiggle,

Amazing progress.  Well done!

Was that rust hole visible before disassembly?
Or you discovered it after taking everything apart?

Asking because I’d like to know whether is something that can be inspected in a running car.  If yes, it should be a point to check when buying a W116 in the future.

Thanks in advance

[Squiggle Dog]

Squiggle,

Amazing progress.  Well done!

Was that rust hole visible before disassembly?
Or you discovered it after taking everything apart?

Asking because I’d like to know whether is something that can be inspected in a running car.  If yes, it should be a point to check when buying a W116 in the future.

Thanks in advance

The rust hole was easily seen, even with the wheel and tire in place.