C107's C107

[c107]

Quite a bit of progress on the 107 of the last couple of days:

I just had the subframe mounts done, they were so bad there was metal grinding on metal. Never done in my ownership. I used the genuine ones even though they are expensive as I hear the Febi ones flatten after a couple of years. I didn't do this one myself although I hear its doable at home.

The speedo is also out as the odometer occasionally sticks and you have to press the trip reset a few times to make it go again.


Last night I also started installing the penta wheels. It seemed like a good opportunity to clean the wheel wells while I was at it. I only learned that the wheel wells are actually body colour a few years ago, I had just assumed they were black. They were so bad I only got one done. The stuff caked on the wheel wells seemed to be a mix of old brake dust, bitumen, dirt and other debris. The thick goopy mud on the sponge reminded me of that anti-smoking ad that was on in the 90s showing tar in a set of lungs. Based on a tip from a friend, I used diluted wheel cleaner, and I was able to get a lot of this stuff off.

I could't get all of it off, but its a lot better than it was.

 

[Oversize]

Nice work & looking much nicer now!

I’ve found a hot pressure washer with degreaser & detergent to be the best method for cleaning larger areas, or hard to reach places. Not a lot of effort required, quick and with excellent results. Followed by my policy of never driving it in the rain or on dirt roads. Like never. Ever.

 

[c107]

Nice work & looking much nicer now!

I’ve found a hot pressure washer with degreaser & detergent to be the best method for cleaning larger areas, or hard to reach places. Not a lot of effort required, quick and with excellent results. Followed by my policy of never driving it in the rain or on dirt roads. Like never. Ever.

Yeah I really should get a pressure washer.

 

[Michel]

Quite a bit of progress on the 107 of the last couple of days:

I just had the subframe mounts done, they were so bad there was metal grinding on metal. Never done in my ownership. I used the genuine ones even though they are expensive as I hear the Febi ones flatten after a couple of years. I didn't do this one myself although I hear its doable at home.

The speedo is also out as the odometer occasionally sticks and you have to press the trip reset a few times to make it go again.
View attachment 23044

Last night I also started installing the penta wheels. It seemed like a good opportunity to clean the wheel wells while I was at it. I only learned that the wheel wells are actually body colour a few years ago, I had just assumed they were black. They were so bad I only got one done. The stuff caked on the wheel wells seemed to be a mix of old brake dust, bitumen, dirt and other debris. The thick goopy mud on the sponge reminded me of that anti-smoking ad that was on in the 90s showing tar in a set of lungs. Based on a tip from a friend, I used diluted wheel cleaner, and I was able to get a lot of this stuff off.

I could't get all of it off, but its a lot better than it was.

View attachment 23045View attachment 23046View attachment 23047View attachment 23048View attachment 23049View attachment 23050View attachment 23051

Looking good Bryce.
Makes a lot of difference when you can see the original paint underneath all that gung and dirt.

 

[Oversize]

Yeah I really should get a pressure washer.

Cold pressure washers are almost as good & available at Bunnings for reasonable cost.

I’ve been toying with buying a hot pressure washer for years but it’s very hard to find a decent one for less than $2k. Hard to justify unless you’re going to use it LOTS! Then if the diesel burner breaks down it’s not cheap to fix...

 

[Patrick_R]

That’s a terrific result Bryce.
Gotta be happy with that mate.

 

[c107]

New subframe mounts are in:



all four wheel wells now cleaned. I went and got a pressure washer in the end, doing it by hand was too hard.
Photos are not great.
Not long after I started this job it began raining. by the end I was very wet, muddy and cold. Lukily I had some old rags at the workshop I could cover the seat with to drive home.

I'll take a better picture of the car soon, but overall I am happy with the result.

 

[c107]

Got the radio working again after removing the rats nest of old wiring for various car alarms and amps. ran a new wire from the battery with an inline fuse.

 

[Patrick_R]

Another job ticked off the list.

 

[c107]

Same car, three different wheel options. Which do you prefer?

1) Replica 8 hole 16x7.5 ET23
2) 'Gullideckel' 15 hole 15x7 ET25
3) AMG 'Penta' 15x7

My preference? 3, 2, 1.
And adding in the colour matched hubcaps as number 4, and 'Bundt' style as number 5, I would go:

3) Penta
4) Hubcaps
2) Gullideckel
1) 8 Hole
5) Bundt

 

[Michel]

Surprisingly, number 2 looks very nice and matches the lines of the car.
But I am also partial to number 3.
Number one seems to be out of place.

 

[Patrick_R]

I’m a good old fashioned standard MB painted hub cap guy unfortunately.

 

[BenzBoy]

I have to agree with Patrick - I d like a nicely painted hubcap on these.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Patrick_R]

I dare say not to many examples left with hub caps these days

 

[c107]

I dare say not to many examples left with hub caps these days

Not SLCs. Given their price when new many were sold with Bundts. Most w108 w114 and w115 have them and plenty of W116 and w123 too. I’ve been thinking about selling my 300SE and replacing it with a w116 and I would want caps on that if I did.

 

[c107]

A while since I updated this.
The SLC did the big 4,000km road trip to Adelaide earlier this year - I posted on that at the time.
With the endless rain, i've really not used the car much since then.
The other night I did fit a new accessory. I had ordered this before the national rally, but it took a few months to arrive.

I used an offset adaptor so I can see the speedo, although fuel gauge and tacho are somewhat obscured. I think i am missing a bit as the horn button falls out, but I have ordered the bit I think i need and it should arrive tomorrow.

overall I prefer it to the factory wheel on the 107. I wouldn't probably do it this on a 126 or 116, but on the 107 it seems to fit really well, and I can go back to the factory wheel any time I like with a single bolt.

 

[BenzBoy]

That is a truly fabulous wheel. I like it.
Regards,
Brian

 

[c107]

more here:

Nardi steering wheel for my 450SLC

I generally like to keep my cars stock. The exception to that is period accessories that are totally reversible. Things that the first owner may have w

www.classicjalopy.com

 

[Michel]

A

more here:

Nardi steering wheel for my 450SLC

I generally like to keep my cars stock. The exception to that is period accessories that are totally reversible. Things that the first owner may have w

www.classicjalopy.com

As usual, an excellent article.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[c107]

Starting installing a Becker in my 107. A few things.

1) Testing the radio:

450SLC Becker Mexico Cassette install part 1 – Preparing the radio

Over the last 12 months or so, I have been focused on getting period correct Becker radios installed in my Classic Mercedes cars. I had never experienced t

www.classicjalopy.com

2) Upgrading the speakers

450SLC Becker Mexico Cassette install part 2 – Upgrading the speakers

I am currently upgrading the radio in my 1977 Mercedes 450SLC. It currently has a Pioneer MP3/CD Player I had installed not long after I purchased the car

www.classicjalopy.com

3) Doing the wiring:

450SLC Becker Mexico Cassette install part 3 – Wiring up the Becker

Setting up the wiring to put a Becker Mexico back in my 1977 Mercedes 450SLC. I had to clean up a lot of mess from years of old radios.

www.classicjalopy.com