Just bought an 87 260E

[epowers777]

Check your m103 link hope it helps you.

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[ps2cho]

Alrighty. Found my problem with car bottoming out...




^ You can see you don't even need to jack car up to replace mounts if you can manage to push the shock down far enough. That's with car on ground still on wheels. Shock doesn't move with bolt undone.

And it's killed the bump stops because the shocks are toast. Not a huge deal.

Sachs-Boge $62/each or Bilstein comforts $120/each? What do you guys think?

[pifcat2]

Just curious, does the car bounce when you push down on the fender or bottom out when you hit a dip? The rubber bumpers and fender isolators can be replaced if obviously worn or cracked.

If you plan to drop your car with sport springs, Bilstein HD's are recommended. Otherwise stock or comforts should do.

[ps2cho]

Originally Posted by pifcat2

Just curious, does the car bounce when you push down on the fender or bottom out when you hit a dip? The rubber bumpers and fender isolators can be replaced if obviously worn or cracked.

If you plan to drop your car with sport springs, Bilstein HD's are recommended. Otherwise stock or comforts should do.

It would bottom out on speed bumps when I had over 200lbs in the car (AKA me with a passenger). I can replace the bump stops(and I will), but the real problem is with the shocks.

How much of a difference are the HD's over Comforts? I prefer a smoother ride personally. I'm not sure about dropping in the future though. Of course giving me the option would be nice.

[ps2cho]

Decided on a set of Bilstein comforts...They will be fine. This is a DD anyway. I was wrong on the OEM...I was looking at rears. Fronts ended up to be $200 w/o bump stops. So I figured for $100 more I can get the other strut mount replaced (although it "looked" ok) and bump stops with a better shock overall.

Any tips for replacement? It doesn't look too bad and I won't have to compress the spring if I put hydraulic jack under control arm.

What are the bets the rear shocks are toast too? I don't think it will be as priority as the fronts though. I'll just have to keep in mind if I am carrying anything.

I figured $1200 spent so far on the car...INCLUDING car purchase seemed a little cheap So I'm at $1500 now haha

[ps2cho]

Goodies!
Wowzers fastest shipping ever!!


There is no comparison between these and my old ones.....I can see now they are totally and completely useless. Hopefully the ride improves. I assume the rear shocks are toast too, but we will save that for another month as they aren't as important right now.

I will make a DIY when I swap em out and add it to my FAQ list. It looks very easy to replace.

[ps2cho]

Well looks like my hopes that it was not burning oil are wrong....




So I got two options here...

Option 1: Go to junkyard and find a good looking head. Pull it off and send it to same guy who did the head on my wagon (A+ job see below) and get it completely rebuilt and do a straight swap with mine. I gotta find one that is not Cash4Clunkers of course...


Reason is because mine just looks like someone was killed inside of it..



OR

Option2: Spend 2hrs and do the valve stem seals w/o pulling head.

This is a prime example of you get what you pay for. I have no problem though because I still haven't really put a whole lot of money into the car including its purchase.

[epowers777]

If you can drive ur wagon and u really want to keep the car along time do the head. Im a big fan of the junk yard swap but u got the wagon save some money use ur head.

[ps2cho]

Well the tranny sounds strong and I have more than enough components to fix anything ignition or fuel related....so I figure I will keep the car for a while....

[neanderthal]

Try a thicker oil first.

[ps2cho]

Already running 20-50 in her....I'm leaning towards just doing the stem seals w/o removing the head and save that for when a bigger problem comes around.

[epowers777]

make a diy link never done that on a gas engine.

[ps2cho]

I posted the tool needed, but I'll do a more in-depth one when I get around to it.

As for the A/C I got a plan....I'm gonna buy a Propane leak detector handheld machine and fill her up with Propane and use the detector to find myself where she is leaking from. It will definitely beat any dye's because they for the most part suck.

[ps2cho]

Removed my 300E badge today...was getting sick of looking at it. I made a few scratches through the paint...but I put some touchup paint over and it looks alright...cars a DD anyway. Much better regardless.

It got too dark by time I finished, so I'll post final pic tomorrow.

Tip to all -- use quick detailer or windex as a lubricant for the razor blade. After I made the scratch, I started doing it this way and everything came off 10x easier.
I was being careful, but the glue was so old and hard, it wasn't easy...

[epowers777]

We use fishing string.

[ps2cho]

Rear end is fully detailed now. Lookin hot
and the wagon sitting proud ahead on a new set of rubber today

Whats the best stuff to remove tint glue remains? I tried goo-gone and some adhesive remover and it didn't touch it...

[epowers777]

u try finger nail grade acetone?. I got stuff at work but would have to ship it to u

[ps2cho]

I think I have some strong acetone somewhere...I'll give that a try. Thanks

[ps2cho]

Wowzers I got 2 rear Bilstein shocks that seem in perfect working order for $8.50 LOL. Half price weekend @ pick-a-parts!
Had them both out in 10minutes flat. What a steal! Also got the later w124 body cladding + front+rear bumpers. Should do for a nice upgrade. I really like the way the later models look with it.

Also got 2 working rear window motors finally...Once I put them on I can get the car tinted asap. Still confused over what % I really want.

[ps2cho]

This fender was a gem find. Quickly cleaned, clayed, ultimate compound and waxed it.
This is what it was what dented fender I received the car with

Junkyard fender woohoo:




And my shocks:


Did some searching and found this

Originally Posted by ksing44

FastLane at M e r c e d e s S h o p . c o m definitely has them listed for your car and they have a great price.

FastLane

I purchased my Bilstein HDs from Alleuro.com, before I knew about FastLane. I just checked their website and I didn't find my part numbers, but I bet they can help you if you call them. When I called, the guy on the phone was very knowledgeable about all of the Bilstein shocks. I ended up with the Bilstein HD shocks and I am happy with them.Don't get some other wacky shocks. Almost everyone agrees that Bilsteins are the best shocks. Koni shocks may be comparable in quality and they are adjustable, but I think Bilsteins are the king for the W124.

For my 1995 E320, I had this written in my records, but I checked another website and I may have the numbers switched for Comfort and Sport.
Another website from Bilstein's website
Comfort
Front V36-0365
Rear B36-1470

Heavy Duty
Front V36-0361 $116.33 x2
Rear B36-1385 $72.00 x2 + $14.00 shipping

Sport
Front V36-4050
Rear B36-1388

Here is a link to AllEuro.
AllEuro.com

I bet PerformanceProducts also has them, although they only show the Sports.
PerformanceProducts4Benz.com

Zoom

What are exactly are "sport"? Not that I really care...just interested. These shocks will be more than ample enough for $8.50

[ps2cho]

RR window functional finally....Took a while to get the motors as I didn't want to pay $120/each. Found working ones at the junkyard last weekend.

I'm having a problem with the RL one though. It will go up, but not down. With the battery applied, it will move down fine. I checked the wires in the door and didn't see anything frayed. Any other ideas? I really don't want to pull the carpet up again and chase it ALLLLLL the way to the center console

One more friggen window until I can get her properly tinted and the horrible purple gone!!

[ksing44]

Originally Posted by ps2cho

What are exactly are "sport"? Not that I really care...just interested. These shocks will be more than ample enough for $8.50

Hey, that was my old post about shocks.

The Sport shocks are shorter, for a lowered vehicle. The odd thing is that I have never seen Sport shocks that were not yellow; except I think in Europe they were black. I guess there may not be quite enough travel in the shocks to accommodate the movement in your stock springs, although it is certainly worth a try for $8.50.

I started with the Bilstein HD on my lowered vehicle, then just switched to Sports when one of the HD shocks started leaking after about 6-years. I know I may have been able to send the leaky shock back to Bilstein, but I decided I would rather have all new shocks. Honestly, I don’t think I can really tell too much if any difference between HD and Sport on my lowered car. They are both dramatically more controlled than OEM, but the HD and Sports seem about the same to me. There may be just a tad less rebound bouncing with the Sports, as it seems just a little more locked down with the shorter travel of the Sports. I used the OEM shocks for a short time when the HD shock was first removed. I hated that. It was a mess on the road.

[ps2cho]

Mother......Lost one of my side markers on the freeway

I heard a noise then looked back and saw something bounce + hit the Prius right dead in the middle of his windshield behind me -- Sorry!
I knew instantly what it was.

Well I guess good excuse to get the later Bosch markers with the half amber. Just bought a set on ebay.

I couldn't believe it too...I even ziptied it!!?? How is it even possible it came off. What do I need to do god damn cement them onto the fender?
I need like 3 zipties + string now as quadruple protection and then tape all the joints. I'm not losing another set. This would be my 4th set in 4 years between both my cars.

[ps2cho]

Finally got the 4th window working. It was such a PIA. It had severed somewhere under the seatbelt tensioner so I had to route + cut the wire all the way down the door + b pillar. Remove B-Pillar + drivers seat...Finally found it and was happy.

so...Car getting tinted today!

Hopefully I get it back by the end of the day....Can't wait! I will definitely take pics tomorrow in the daylight.

[ps2cho]

Tinted!




Next on the list:

Valve stem seals as I am losing about 1 quart every 200miles....Pretty harsh...
then cut springs to lower the car to where it should be
...then Flex disk + new brakes all the way around (might attempt fitting the 400E brakes on, not 100% sure if its worth the hassle yet). At that point the car should be almost 100%!