backup assist

[gcmazza]

well - today is trash day and yes, I backed into the large garbage can in the driveway this morning.

Of course, the backup assist will now not retract...appears slightly bent. I have not taken it apart yet but wanted to first ask if anyone has disassembled one and if I will be able to fix the thing or if they can only be replaced as a unit.

Also, does anyone have a unit they'd like to sell??? Any suggestions for online sources would also be helpful. I don't want to go to the stealer!

Thanks !

GM[:(]

[gcmazza]

Well - after no responses here and no luck finding a used one online...I called the stealer. The little bugger is $198.00!!! HA. Even the dealer laughed at that one.

Got home and tore into it. The impact on the post against 11yr old plastic resulted in shattering the top plastic retaining piece and the rod breaking off from its base.

I think I have a plan to reconstruct the top portion, but I need some advice on some strong plastic glue to re attach the rod to the base.

Stay tuned.

GM

[pcmaher]

There are glues you can buy from well stocked hardware stores that are specifically formulated for plastic. They work quite well. Don't use super glue or other epoxies intended for metal, wood, etc. They won't work. See what you can find at the stores in your area.

[ychachad]

Contact Loctite also known as HENKEL CORP (german company supplies products for Mercedes McLaren F1 cars). They have an adhesive for every need. They are the best. I have used them in the fiberglass/carbon fiber composites industry for years. The best you can do would be a heat activated fast cure epoxy. Off the shelf stuff, you can try a two part epoxy, or Gorilla glue.

pcmaher - 11/2/2005 8:30 AM

There are glues you can buy from well stocked hardware stores that are specifically formulated for plastic. They work quite well. Don't use super glue or other epoxies intended for metal, wood, etc. They won't work. See what you can find at the stores in your area.

[Brett San Diego]

It dissolves the plastic at the interface of the two parts being bonded allowing the polymer strands to intermingle. When the glue dries, the parts are fused together pretty good. But, it depends on the right type of plastic (naturally the kind that models are made of, which I'm not sure of off the top of my head).

Brett

[gcmazza]

thx guys. I thought of the model glue as well having put together my share of models as a kid ... the plastic in the module appears to be nothing fancy - other than old and brittle.

The issue with Gorilla glue is that they recommend pressure holding the joint together for up to 24 hrs. Don't think I can do that since it will be difficult to apply pressure directly to the top of the rod to get it to set.

I think I will try the airplane (model) glue - assuming that it's still made and that I can find it.

I will take some pix of the module so you can see what it looks like.

Funny how the stupidest thing can turn into a big project. !! This is a part that when looking at it should cost about $25. Oh Well.

GM

[pcmaher]

Funny how the stupidest thing can turn into a big project. !! This is a part that when looking at it should cost about $25. Oh Well.GM

Welcome to the W140 World.

[gcmazza]

Yes. Unfortunately, my wife is learning more about the W140 world and I am finding it increasingly difficult to defend ! Pehaps a newer 140 would do the trick ! HA HA.

[Nimrodthewombat]

or be more careful backing up! Sorry, it was too easy[}:)]

[gcmazza]

Yes...of course. Worst part is that there were no kids in the car, no radio on and no cell phone going. Best possible scenario. AND, I was the one who put the garbage can where it was. I better stop now or they'll pull my license. HA.

The car is a tank but the little bits that break when one is careless reminds me that the old gal is fragile as well as fast.