2nd Hand Parts - What to Look For

[Lukas]

Y'all,

Am looking at buying some second hand parts, thus:

1) Entire suspension system - spheres (almost new), pump, valves x3, struts x3 (all except RH front), hoses.

2) Steering box

All are simply stated as removed in excellent working order from another 6.9 - no claims re re-conditioned, rebuilt, etc.

My questions are:

• What to look for when inspecting, apart from physical damage and leaks?
• Appropriate cost (asking is ~$1k5 and $250 respectively)?
• Any issues re compatabilities: early/late models, or possible different configurations of cars depending on original delivery location (all cars involved are 6.9s, RH drive)
• Is this even a good idea?

I say good idea because the parts are potentially worn (2nd hand and all), so could it be too much of a gamble?

Idea is to start on building a decent parts store. Also entertaining the thought of rebuilding the steering box myself before fitting to the blue 6.9.

PS - hope all had / are having a good break.

Thanks

Lukas

 

[WGB]

I think the spheres are likely to be a waste of time as they are better purchased new and are likely to unbalance the car if part worn irregularly.

All the rest of the bits are so expensive to purchase new or impossible to find that I would take the punt.

Impossible to see the condition without fitting them and trying them.

Struts you could check the condition of the ball joints.

Steering box sounds like a bargain.

Bill

 

[abl567]

As our cars age ALL of these parts become essential to keep, the core parts are important to retain, they will be rebuildable one day, spheres included

 

[Lukas]

Hi all,

Picked up the bits last night - thanks for all your advice. Will clean them up and have a bit of a poke over the coming days.

The guy also had a 6.9 engine sitting on the ground - those things are huge!

Lukas

 

[WGB]

Do we know the VIN of the wrecked one so that it can be accounted for?

Bill

 

[Lukas]

I have asked - also because of the bleed nut you mentioned in Michel's locked rear valve thread recently. All I know at the moment is that it was an import from the UK.

 

[WGB]

I know Nathan keeps a register on the W116 site as does the M-100.cc site and it is always useful to fill in a blank.

Bill

 

[Lukas]

Hi Bill,

VIN = 11603622001911

Is Nathan's register available on the internet somewhere?

I have yet to add my 6.9s to the registry on the m100 site - no good photos of them yet.

Lukas

 

[Lukas]

Cleaned the bits up today - look OK, although there was a large amount of road grime on the rear struts. The hydro fluid tank had a little of the gunk in the bottom, but a quick blast with the hose fixed that. Also has scrape marks where someone has had a go previously - only saw them when loading the photos.

Tank gunk - before:


and after:


All the bits:

 

[TJ 450]

That's an excellent collection of spares, great to have on standby.

Tim

 

[WGB]

Great collection of priceless bits if they are serviceable.

Thanks for the info on the VIN I will forward it onto Nathan.

As far as I know his list is private but the M-100 site have a public list - I will see if that number is on it.

The tank design is very clever as it traps all the gungy bits in the deadspace in the sump while the outlet leaves a large amount of unused and unusable oil in the base of the sump and filters the oil from the outlet of the pump through the filter so that anything that gets through the "settling pond" does not get back into the hydraulics.

It is why we have all cleaned out our tanks for although the oil in the top of the tank is beautifully clean the last litre in the bottom is always black and gungy.

Bill

 

[Lukas]

No worries - do you know if he has my 6.9s in his list too? Their VINs + details are elsewhere in TK:

4924 - Gold

3920 - Blue