[lyoooha]

I took ti over to Helms Brothers over at Bayside, NY today. At 7:15 AM they took her in, 2:50 PM my Danny calls back with the following info:

1) MB has taken care of the recall (bottom seal of something, ill have more info when they pick me up to take me back over there)

2) They diagnosed the Airmatic (with my epoxy sealants at the top, HAHAHAHA ) They haven't said anything about them though, lol. They said the car has a new air pump and a fully functional Airmatic system, Ooooo thank GOD!!!!!) I also checked, I have HELLA relay there. So everything is fine there.

3) I figured out whats causing my knocking noise over speed bumps- FRONT STRUT ARMS (Show wear and need to be replaced, they're loose and make that sound) $960 TO REPLACE

4) "FLEX DISC" PART WHICH CONNECTS DRIVE SHAFT WITH REAL DIFFERENTIAL IS WORN OUT - $360 TO REPLACE

5) ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET SHOWS MINOR LEAKS - $530 TO REPLACE



NOW:

WHAT IS DIY AND WHAT IS NOT? What should I replace myself?

What should I let the dealer to replace and what should I let my professional indie do?

Maybe everything if the price is much less?

Thats it for now...


PS. O they also suggested the plugs and air filter, well thats obvious.

 

[bandit96]

How much work have you done/are willing to do? I am a firm DIY'er unless there are electronics/diagnostic equipment involved. So in your scenario I would do it all myself.
JMHO
Bandit

 

[lyoooha]

Bandit,
Id be happy to do everything myself because im a DIY and mechanically inclined person. The problem for me is place to this all of this work.

If it is something which may be done outside of a garage and will not require me raising the entire vehicle into the air I will gladly do it myself and be happy.

However im limited to my driveway and jacks. I also have two tracks which one may drive onto to raisa either the back of the front. Whatever tools I need I will buy I would just need approximate instructions on how to do these things.

Ill be searching for step by steps, maybe Ill find something.

 

[Skylaw]

Working under a car on jacks is a very bad idea. Jacks are meant to raise a car to take weight off the wheels, not to let one crawl under. Extremely risky.

Ramps won't help you if weight has to come off the wheels to change out the strut arms (I don't know if it does).

Have never changed the flex disc, so don't know what is involved.

 

[lyoooha]

Hey thanks!
Working on a car standing on jacks is always dangerous, as precaution I always support wheels all around and some wood between the jack and the ground

Ill continue my search for some write ups on this

 

[lyoooha]

Would somebody please help determine if these are the correct parts I need:

Your Parts Search Returned 2 Part(s) - VALVE COVER GASKET
The dealer also noted something like exhaust side valve cover gasket, would that mean it is left or right?

Your Parts Search Returned 1 Part(s) - FLEX DISC KIT

 

[bandit96]

No Garage?
I would let them do the struts and I would do the VC gaskets. The "flex disc" I think I would leave that as is, depending on the mileage on the car. If it has over 100k, probably have them do it, too, as it will cost you less in labor than if you took it in on a seperate occasion.

 

[ekBenz]

i replaced the flex disc in my car (there are 2, one that between the driveshaft and the tranny, on between the driveshaft and rear diff) when i had aorund 70k because it was coing apart and the rubber was hitting around the tunnel and you could hear the noise in the car

i would see how muc your indie shop will charge for the vc gasket because if you do it yourself its a little more difficult

the arm is also something you can do yourself but would be a little tougher because the balljoints is usually the hardest to take off, the best tool to use is an air chisel

the flex disc has 6 screws all around. you need 2 wrenches (holding one side and unscrewing the other) shouldnt take more than an hour

 

[02s430]

funny i had all that work done too

 

[BryanW163]

funny i had all that work done too

Those are all very common repairs needed on 220 after a few years and miles.

 

[lyoooha]

Yea my current list (priority 1st) is:

1) Strut arms
2) Harmonic balancer w/ belt
3) Flex discs
4) Valve cover gasket

I'm still trying to determine which ones I may do myself by using those individual wheel ramps discussed in the jacks thread.


PS. Internet is a beautiful thing. I could never imagine I would be able to find so much extensive information about these cars. Im happy to have this opportunity for all of the cars I previously owned. Keep it up!!

 

[Skylaw]

Just as a suggestion, replace the harmonic balancer first. If the wheel is coming apart, it can cause damage to your engine - often, the oil pan - when it lets loose. Plus, you wind up stranded.

W220s were recalled for that some years ago - they inspected for the balancer having a particular part # - if it had it, they replaced.

Then do the rest.

 

[Mike Wevrick]

Before you do any of this work or have it done, I suggest you take the car somewhere else for a 2nd opinion. My dealer also recommended a whole bunch of work. My independent said that many items were not needed immediately, and a few possibly not at all.