Among other cars, I have an '83 300D.

Current Modifications: **4 speed ** stainless flex oil cooler and brake lines ** powder coated valve cover, oil tower, and injection lines ** manual climate control ** better stereo ** homemade intake and monstercraftsman oil separator ** EGR Delete ** Euros and clear corners ** 4 light brake mod ** Vogtland 50mm drop front springs ** Lesjofors S600 drop rear springs ** 16" rims ** late model 126 brake spindles, rotors and calipers ** full suspension rehab ** Bilstein HDs ** AL129X alternator ** 1/0 starter and charging cables ** late W126 front seats and rear seat back

Mods in the works (parts in hand): Gwagen clutch/flywheel; Sanden A/C compressor and custom refrigerant lines; propane injection; VGT; intake mods; custom IP elements and external fuel rack adjustment; ABS

Future mods (parts budgeted for): A/W Intercooler; 5 speed; 2.65:1 limited slip 210mm diff;

When you do the springs replace the LCA bearing and LCA strut rod bushing. Use the 3 piece LCA bearing from the 126, it will last longer than the 2 piece found on the 123 normally.

Pics?

(05-18-2009 06:55 AM)winmutt Wrote:  When you do the springs replace the LCA bearing and LCA strut rod bushing. Use the 3 piece LCA bearing from the 126, it will last longer than the 2 piece found on the 123 normally.

thanks for the tip, I already bought the 2 piece style, but if the others are that much better Ill get them instead... the only really sucky part is that this weekend I installed the 123 ones in the arms and threw away the boxes to consolidate space and see what I still have left to buy for the swap... Ill have to look at the cost/benefit tradeoff and go from there... these ones lasted 245K but we'll see... If i find poly bushings for the 126, that might make the difference...

(05-18-2009 06:55 AM)kamel Wrote:  Pics?

I'll see what I can drum up... I have a bunch of pics from my auto to manual climate control conversion...eventually will have a writeup, but too lazy/busy to do it right now... I should take some pics under the hood of my Earl's plumbing... Once I finish the aforementioned suspension/brake upgrade, I will take pics of the exterior... it needs a bit of work, prolly a good scrape and buff but the body is in otherwise good shape, just would rather take pics with the new stance and wheels installed.

Installed this weekend:
Vogtland springs
Late 126 brakes and spindles
full suspension refresh
Bilstein HDs
Earls stainless custom brake lines
these 16" rims: http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/whe...-98-hs.JPG
225/50 ZR16 tires...off brand, but supposedly made by BF Goodrich: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/r...o?pc=19012
new brake fluid...

I think thats it...

Did you use the W126 LCA bushings?

(06-16-2009 09:24 AM)winmutt Wrote:  Did you use the W126 LCA bushings?

nah... I had already installed the 123 ones into the LCA and threw away their packages about a week before you suggested that... I would have done so otherwise, I just couldnt justify paying 2x for the setup. I looked around for some poly bushings for 126, but didnt find those either, I would have just chocked up the first ones as a loss had I found those. The job really isnt that hard, if I ever have replace 'em I figure I can do it in a few hours...especially with the proper compressor.

You will be replacing those LCA bearings in a few years so you have time to prepare yourself...

Let's see a pic of your car with those new wheels. I am interested in them.

(06-17-2009 03:30 AM)DeliveryValve Wrote:  Let's see a pic of your car with those new wheels. I am interested in them.

here they are... sorry it took so long...
   
here's the little bit of toe out that I was talking about in another thread... its more noticeable in person
   
here's a pic of my hybrid 240/300 linkage...
   

and a larger overall shot of the valve cover minus all the auto trans/egr crap...
also pictured is my manual climate setup and the powdercoated valve cover and oil tower:
   

here's a pic of the contraption I made to press the subframe bushings into place... below the bushing is one of the dies that I broke trying to add an inch or so of thread to the 7/8" hardened steel bolts I used...turned out to be the perfect spacer to finish drawing them home.
   

Need to take a coil off the fron there, what pads are you using front and back? 1 and 3?

(08-06-2009 12:01 PM)winmutt Wrote:  Need to take a coil off the fron there, what pads are you using front and back? 1 and 3?

yeah 1 and 3, I probably wont take any more off the front, I like where it sits right now (loads better than stock) and as it is I'm getting a little rubbing on the tires... I'm assuming its happening when I throw her into the corner, but I'm not positive as I dont get any feedback indicating that. stopped and at full lock there is still plenty of clearance for me to run my hand completely around the tire on all sides, but I'm getting a slight 'trim' on the outside edge of the tire. I think maybe I'll have to roll the fenders at some point, but right now it doesnt appear to be too drastic.

I have 16x8 wheels off a mid 90s SL and I have the same problem when I'm turning and the wheel travels up it hit so I had to roll my front fenders

(08-08-2009 11:30 AM)willbhere4u Wrote:  I have 16x8 wheels off a mid 90s SL and I have the same problem when I'm turning and the wheel travels up it hit so I had to roll my front fenders

What offset are you fella's running?

I have no idea? I just put them on! they fit perfect in the rear! In the front I had to space my tie rod mounts in a bit and shorten my tie rods a good bit to clear the wheels I would say 1/2 in on each side

(08-10-2009 10:58 AM)willbhere4u Wrote:  .....In the front I had to space my tie rod mounts in a bit and shorten my tie rods a good bit to clear the wheels I would say 1/2 in on each side

Well that is smart. I've never thought about that.

I have considered spacing the steering arms inward, but was concerned about how it would affect the geometry. Any thoughts on this Willb? Does your car seems to steer differently since doing this?

I am running a custom low offset I picked up at lakeshore wheel and tire (ITN Style #98, 16 inch here: http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/spe...edes.shtml ) I believe they are ET15...I have plenty of clearance between the tie rod and rim as they are low offset and 16, I'd say theres at least 40mm clearance, but next time Im under there, ill take a pic and post it...

---

(08-08-2009 11:30 AM)willbhere4u Wrote:  I have 16x8 wheels off a mid 90s SL and I have the same problem when I'm turning and the wheel travels up it hit so I had to roll my front fenders

do you feel it rub in the corners? what tire size are you running?

[/align]Another nice Merc, man I have got to get my work done and start on the coupe.

The car drives and handes normal. I put put 1 washer between the front of the arm and 3 behind the rear arm to make it go at an angle. I also replace my tie rods because the old one where rusty and wouldn't adjust!
I first tried 3 in front and 3 in back but it still rubbed the wheel! make sure they are tight and use lock tight!!!

I still need an alignment as I set my toe with a tape measure but it doesn't pull or act funny I replace the upper control arms/ balljoints and steering stabilizer when I put my Bilsteins HD's in and it handles sweet! now I need seats to keep me centered! I keep sliding out of the seat in corners!

I'll take a pic of the searing arm next time I'm up at at my shop I'll also check the tire size

So, my Pappy backed into my car the other weekend and smashed my grill insert...
   
thus forcing me to buy a new one. While I was at it, I changed it to the 'sport' style found on fleabay. I took a chance and actually like the way it looks, esp. with the euros. I was going to switch the clear corners back the the stock amber ones, but may not with this new grill. Still missing is the MB emblem below the hood ornament...gotta snag another one next time I hit the part yard.
   
unfortunately, I also have to get a replacement aux. fan as the one that is in there now is unplugged because the aluminum bracket is also now cracked. sucks major, because I just installed that one new about a year ago... gonna hit the yard for a replacement tho... not going to shell out another 200 bux for a replacement.

I'd keep the cracked grill on instead of a "sport" grille.

I dont really care for the sport grill myself either. I do like the blacked out grill look.

(08-31-2009 02:31 AM)ForcedInduction Wrote:  I'd keep the cracked grill on instead of a "sport" grille.

winmutt Wrote:I dont really care for the sport grill myself either. I do like the blacked out grill look.

I def. like the blacked out grill and I dont mind the sport grill so much, but the dueling tri-stars is off-putting, I may pull another insert from a junker and mess with it until I get something I like better. Perhaps something similar to MB TECH's wagon.

Anyway, here's the new pics of the ride, also posted on the SLS removal thread:

   
I like the slight rake it has now, It will probably settle out a little in the next few days, but I think it will still retain a bit.
   
Heres a pic showing the drastic difference between the way it was above and the way it sits now... it no longer looks like its dragging nuts across the road.

---

I think now that most of the mechanical issues are ironed out, I will start keeping an eye out for some darker interior, I'm not a big fan of the parchment color and most of mine is trashed anyway. I think I will call MBCA about one of those taxi dashes too, with the better real estate for gages and a better center vent setup for my manual climate system. Now I gotta do a better job of keeping her clean, sucks not having a garage tho. Hopefully after I find out about my scholarship I will buy a house and have a place to keep her out of the rough San Diego weather.

Surfrodder, that sure is a great looking clean w123.
I like those wheels, and actually really like the grill upgrade..yes upgrade=]

(09-11-2009 10:04 PM)garage Wrote:  Surfrodder, that sure is a great looking clean w123.
I like those wheels, and actually really like the grill upgrade..yes upgrade=]

I dunno about *clean*, but it shows okay in pics... (actually you can see where a bird dialed me up on the back bumper moulding) I really need to detail it, but I don't have the time right now and as posted above I dont have a garage to keep the dew and dust off of it so I dont wanna spend all the time to have to do it again in a few weeks. Anyway, thanks for the compliments.

To each his own.
I didnt say your car was pristine or amazing
haha=]

I do think it is a clean car though.

What did you end up doing to fix the rake? Look just about perfect now.

(09-12-2009 08:16 AM)winmutt Wrote:  What did you end up doing to fix the rake? Look just about perfect now.

S600 springs without rubber isolators...no "nubs"

got an alignment last week and finally installed my AL129X alternator, plus 1/0 cable to the starter and from the alt to the battery. I had to go with a 10mm oversize belt and had to trim the adjuster bolt for the alt bracket to get it to fit. pics to come in a few days...

I also pulled a complete ABS system a few weeks ago to install at some point in the future.

(05-14-2009 02:19 PM)SurfRodder Wrote:  Among other cars, I have an '83 300D.

Current Modifications: late W126 front seats and rear seat back

The w126 rear seatback will fit in a w123??
If so i really wanna pick up a nice one at the yard tomorrow..or asap.

(01-05-2010 12:46 AM)SurfRodder Wrote:  I had to go with a 10mm oversize belt and had to trim the adjuster bolt for the alt bracket to get it to fit. pics to come in a few days...

why all the funky stuff? i got mine in with the stock bolt and bracket, and with a stock size belt with no problems.

(09-14-2010 11:21 PM)stan Wrote:  why all the funky stuff? i got mine in with the stock bolt and bracket, and with a stock size belt with no problems.

Im guessing that you either dont have an AL129X and/or perhaps your adjuster bolt was already shorter than mine. My first take on it I trimmed the hell out of the bracket and then realized all I had to do was shorten the bolt. at any rate I there was definitely not enough slack in the stock belt to get it to work on my car.

---

(09-14-2010 11:10 PM)garage Wrote:  The w126 rear seatback will fit in a w123??
If so i really wanna pick up a nice one at the yard tomorrow..or asap.

yeah, itll fit. Whenever I see something that looks close, I try it out in the part yard to see. Its a little tight, doorskins are up against it, and depending on the generation the top is a bit of a PITA to attach at the package tray, but I think itll look good once I get around to making a custom insert for the package tray, my intention is to utilize most of a 126 one with the speaker mounts and 3rd brake light.
Anyway, I'd definitely check it out on a yard car so you can see what the issues are for yourself.

Finally installed the 300GD clutch and flywheel, much more pleasant to drive at lower RPM now. Also there are now no longer ANY driveline vibrations whatsoever. Although I attribute that more to properly balancing of the flywheel than anything else...

Good luck on the xenon projector retro... Been there done that. The flutted lenses absolutely kills the output. The only proper way to do it would be to vaccu-form some de-flutted plastic lenses.