Hi guys - as part of my research while I look for a car I wanted to ask for some coaching on how much of a rolling refresh on a 107 is realistic as a DYI.
Pretty much all the cars I am seeing are looking at shocks, tie rods, and I am assuming ball joints etc...
My point of reference is a Triumph TR6 that I rebuild and I tore down and rebuilt the front suspension without any trouble, but that is a a much simpler car.
So do you think DYI is realistic for these items or should I be budgeting for labor as well? (sorry - manuals haven't arrived yet)
So do you think DYI is realistic for these items or should I be budgeting for labor as well? (sorry - manuals haven't arrived yet)
I just had my new SL on the lift at the local shop for a tire change a few minutes ago. It's the first time I've had the chance to take a very good look at the underneath. I'm planning to upgrade to Bilstein HD dampers all around because I'm finding the car a bit more "floaty" than I'm used to (I'm a long-time BMW and Lancer Evolution owner).
It doesn't look like there's anything too tricky involved in a spring and damper swap. As far as I could tell, my car doesn't have the self-leveling rear suspension and it looks like a straightforward job. The only thing I haven't had a good look at yet are the top-mounts for the rear dampers. Not sure exactly how to get to them. But everything else looks simple.
__________________ 1988 MB R107 560SL - Daily driver 1991 BMW E30 318is - Track car
I changed the shocks to Bilstein HDs a few years ago. It really helps if you have 2 sets of hands but overall it's not a tough DIY. The most difficult part that I remember was that I had to take out the panels in the parcel area behind the seats so I could access the attaching hardware at the top of the shock.
I just changed the shocks to the Bilstein hd but I did new springs and bushings. It is like a rock. It handles almost like my z4. the next will be the tie rods
If you might be interested, I put new Bilstein shocks and Mercedes tie rods and center link on my now totaled 560SL. Did the job 500 miles before it was wrecked. I'm parting the car out now and if you want some "almost" new parts, contact me offlist at len@sokoloff.com.
Probably the easiest DIY job on the SL with the highest level of good results.
The rears are a little harder as the top shock mount is buried. The parcel shelf / kinderseat and rear side panels need to be removed for access.
I did the lower control arm bushings, ball joints and shocks on my 380. Very straight forward if you have done this before. The rear shock upper mounts have to to be accessed from the rear boot area.
Hi guys - as part of my research while I look for a car I wanted to ask for some coaching on how much of a rolling refresh on a 107 is realistic as a DYI.
I've done shocks, tie rods, bushings, control arms, control arm bushings, steering damper, all myself. The only thing I wouldn't do again is lower control arm bushings. I found a place that did them on the second lower control arm for me for $80, and that was more than worth the hassle.
Oh, and the alignment after the tie rods. That I had done.
__________________ When I die, I want to go quietly in my sleep, like Grandpa.
Not screaming, like the people in his car.
Juvenis quod fanaticus nunquam concilio usus quod proditus
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