[slfun]

Last year I bought a 2002 with 29K miles in great visual shape from Florida with plenty of service records.
After driving it for a while it just didn't feel as planted as I thought it should, so the project began,
I replaced the all the rubber bushings in the cars suspension from idler arm to rear diff mounts and everything in between plus engine mounts & new B4 shocks. The difference is amazing, now if feels like a new car. Tires are from 2014 so that will be next. Makes me think what other rubber in the car could have aged out. . Any thoughts?

 

[bartsitarski]

Basically every rubber piece underneath. Flex discs, idler arm bushing (only replace those with dealer part, the aftermarket ones are horrible), strut mounts, rear suspension (kit is around $200 for all pieces), subframe bushings, engine and trans mounts... I did a full overhaul on my 98 and it drives better than new. And while you’re at it, throw on H&R Sport Springs to lower the car and add a strut brace.


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[FATHERTIME]

I did the same a year and a half ago on my 98 Sl500 including B6 shocks and heavy duty trans mount and motor mounts. A hell of a lot of work but worth it for sure

 

[bartsitarski]

I did the same a year and a half ago on my 98 Sl500 including B6 shocks and heavy duty trans mount and motor mounts. A hell of a lot of work but worth it for sure

I thought about B6 long and hard but decided on B4 because the here suck and I like smoothness. Commend you on your decision though and bet she is fun to toss around.


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[slfun]

bartsitarski
I did all that except the flex disc and trans mount , but put in new stock springs . My co driver (wife) has already hit a parking lot stop causing a replacement of the front fascia . I didn't think the strut tower brace would fit on a 2002 with the m113 V8?

 

[slfun]

fathertime ,you mentioned heavy duty trans and motor mounts , what are they?
I was able to do all the work except the rear subframe and diff bushings. Laying on my 70 year old back has its limits.

 

[wlb50]

Last year I bought a 2002 with 29K miles in great visual shape from Florida with plenty of service records.
After driving it for a while it just didn't feel as planted as I thought it should, so the project began,
I replaced the all the rubber bushings in the cars suspension from idler arm to rear diff mounts and everything in between plus engine mounts & new B4 shocks. The difference is amazing, now if feels like a new car. Tires are from 2014 so that will be next. Makes me think what other rubber in the car could have aged out. . Any thoughts?

People buy these low mileage cars that have been just sitting around and think they are getting a time machine off the showroom floor. Things still deteriorate - the bushings as you describe, shocks, brake caliper and master cylinder seals, transmission seals (from not getting constant activity).

Smart idea to change all of those fluids, too.

Some year ago I talked with a shop owner who specialized in British cars - everything from MG Midgets to the pre-BMW Rolls Royce. And he told me he had the toughest time talking with an E-Type owner to drive his car.

Hope that is all the problems - I see no need for replacing flex disks - just drive it and see.

 

[ou1954]

People buy these low mileage cars that have been just sitting around and think they are getting a time machine off the showroom floor. Things still deteriorate - the bushings as you describe, shocks, brake caliper and master cylinder seals, transmission seals (from not getting constant activity).

Smart idea to change all of those fluids, too.

Some year ago I talked with a shop owner who specialized in British cars - everything from MG Midgets to the pre-BMW Rolls Royce. And he told me he had the toughest time talking with an E-Type owner to drive his car.

Hope that is all the problems - I see no need for replacing flex disks - just drive it and see.

I bought my 1998 SL500 at about 70,000 miles and did change all the fluids, etc. (Even the torque converter, against the dealers wishes). I have since had to replace one strut (perhaps not necessary but a superior shop in Escondido made that recommendation). Since then, the front end steering linkages, and brakes. I rebuild the power steering pump, and have been told the flex disks were fine.

My question is just why are there so many dire stories about those flex disks?

What I have found, over the years, is that every rubber and plastic part has had a problem. In particular the hoses associated with the engine all turned to glass, so I had no choice but to replace them.

Now retired in Oklahoma, it's hard to find a reputable independent shop but at least the dealer will let me supply parts, believe it or not.

I had a known transmission issue in a 1999 ML320 and took it to a well known independent here, and then to two AAMCO shops. All repair estimates were all over $4,400. I had the dealer fix it for about $50 and I supplied the repair kit..

According to the VIN, my SL was built in Bremen, Germany.

 

[bartsitarski]

bartsitarski
I did all that except the flex disc and trans mount , but put in new stock springs . My co driver (wife) has already hit a parking lot stop causing a replacement of the front fascia . I didn't think the strut tower brace would fit on a 2002 with the m113 V8?

Yes. Can be done. Take a little finesse but mounts up.


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[FATHERTIME]

fathertime ,you mentioned heavy duty trans and motor mounts , what are they?
I was able to do all the work except the rear subframe and diff bushings. Laying on my 70 year old back has its limits.

Well my 74 year old back does better with a shop that lets me use their rack and help from one of the mechanics. The trans mount is a Meyle heavy duty unit Motor mounts are Febi. I can relate to the sub frame and third member bushings PITA I have replaced every bushing in my SL500 and the 99 Sl600 including 94 SL320.

 

[wlb50]

My question is just why are there so many dire stories about those flex disks?

A flex disk has quite a job - particularly the one in the front. Handles all the torque, all the time. And I would never buy one except Factory. Or OEM - if you know the source. I recently had a door check strap replaced on my W210 and the shop ordered an OEM, a Febi.

Only now it was made in China and the shop told me the old one they were taking out was better than the Febi. So they ordered one from the dealer. For many companies the pursuit of bigger profits is more important than a good reputation won over the previous years.

Anyway I am not aware that they have a bad reputation as long as you stay with a known quality. Couple of years ago I had the dealer put in a factory reman transmission in my SL500 and since, of course, the flex disk was out I had them put a new one in. But they said it was still in good condition with the car at 140,000 miles. Although I don't know if the previous owner (and original owner) had changed it.

Just had the shop go through my W210, original owner E430. At 100,000 miles said the Flex disk was fine ("they don't go often in these cars") , and he didn't change it prior to my Texas trip.

There was some made by a company and those had a reputation for self-destruction. I think they gave an original to a Chinese company and they said, "Yes, we can make that".

If they do go on the road, it can be ugly. Drive shaft hits the ground, airbags deploy...

Kent Bergsma's videos are usually pretty good. Here he shows you how to check a flex disk.

 

[sushipaste]

Well my 74 year old back does better with a shop that lets me use their rack and help from one of the mechanics. The trans mount is a Meyle heavy duty unit Motor mounts are Febi. I can relate to the sub frame and third member bushings PITA I have replaced every bushing in my SL500 and the 99 Sl600 including 94 SL320.

I see that on pelican the meyle trans mount is $65 dollars compared to the oe corteco for $20. Is the meyle mount of a higher quality than the oe?

Also, does the shop you go to rent out bays?

 

[sushipaste]

fathertime ,you mentioned heavy duty trans and motor mounts , what are they?
I was able to do all the work except the rear subframe and diff bushings. Laying on my 70 year old back has its limits.

What brand of rear subframe and diff bushings did you use? Would you happen to have part numbers?

 

[FATHERTIME]

I see that on pelican the meyle trans mount is $65 dollars compared to the oe corteco for $20. Is the meyle mount of a higher quality than the oe?

Also, does the shop you go to rent out bays?

Yes the mount is solid rubber. No they don't rent space there.

 

[FATHERTIME]

I buy most of my mount and suspension parts from autohausAZ. Trans mount $49.00. Subframe bushings are for C43. R129 no longer listed.

 

[Wheelr]

I buy most of my mount and suspension parts from autohausAZ. Trans mount $49.00. Subframe bushings are for C43. R129 no longer listed.

Thx, I was going to ask where to purchase bushings & other rubber suspension parts myself.
'm still on jackstands awaiting struts and would order other bushings during the wait.
Cannot drive car (legally) as it's unregistered and the DMV, which was closed for 3mths due to C19, now has lines that circle the entirety of parking lot.

 

[bartsitarski]

Thx, I was going to ask where to purchase bushings & other rubber suspension parts myself.
'm still on jackstands awaiting struts and would order other bushings during the wait.
Cannot drive car (legally) as it's unregistered and the DMV, which was closed for 3mths due to C19, now has lines that circle the entirety of parking lot.

Pelican Parts is another good place as is FCP Euro. For dealer parts, I have used mbonlineparts.com with good success. Good prices (relatively speaking of course), relatively quick shipping, and all OEM.


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[FATHERTIME]

Lots of sellers on eBay too with OEM parts. autohausAZ offers different brands for you to decide what you want to spend if you stick to OEM no matter the price or source you'll pretty much be good to go.

 

[bartsitarski]

Lots of sellers on eBay too with OEM parts. autohausAZ offers different brands for you to decide what you want to spend if you stick to OEM no matter the price or source you'll pretty much be good to go.

Good call-out. I have scored a lot of NLA parts on ebay. Especially interior bits and pieces like buttons and such. There are 2 main sellers that specialize in parting out these cars. One of them got me a part I have been looking for for months. Asked him a question about a related listing and told him what specifically I needed and had it in my mailbox 3 days later.


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[sushipaste]

For the rear subframe bushings what would you guys recommend regarding brands?

Forward: lemforder vs Meyle HD
Rear: Corteco vs regular Meyle