front end rebuild on a 64 230sl

[globalgrooves]

hey guys, looking for a bit of input, the front end on the old girl has dropped, i am guessing due to bad subframe bushings, but i have yet to confirm that, waiting to put it up on a rack to find out.

question is how many hours should a mechanic take to change subframe mounts?
which company has a good quality subframe mounts, and is there any while your doing this you should do that advice?

thanks
neil

[dirtrack49]

Hi Neil,

Being new to this forum, and new to my 230SL, I don't have an answer to your two questions. However, I would ponder to guess that your problem might be either the coil springs, or more likely a shock that has given up.

I know when I first picked up my 66 230sl, it was leaning to the right in the right front corner of the car. After asking some questions on this forum, and taking a closer look, I found that the right front shock had collapsed. The rest of the shocks, are just about as bad, however, they are still good enough to keep the car at it's proper level.

In any case, if you are taking the car to someone to do the work other than doing it yourself, it might be wise to come back on the forum and let everyone know what your mechanic came up with.

Take care,
Tom

[mdsalemi]

It all depends on what you are trying to do, how much you want to spend, and the like.

If indeed your subframe mounts (or any front end suspension bits) have dropped or collapsed, unless you know the provinence of all the bits that comprise the suspension, you might consider looking at it all.  If it is all original (from 1964) my suggestion would be to simply replace everything that is rubber.  That is, all the mounts and bushings.  There are kingpin kits available; tie rod ends, the whole bit.  How are the shocks?  Springs?  Spring pads? Take a look at a parts break down, and all the wear parts are probably worn by this point.

How long?  Until it is done.  No way to reliably guess that on a car so old, and without knowing the tool set and skill set of your mechanic.  Someone who has done this on a 113 prior might be faster than one who has not seen this before.  Also, if they are original, be prepared to get stuck somewhere along the line.

If you just fix what is "broken" on a car from 1964, and you expect to drive it reliably, you'll probably just only begin the process by dealing with the one issue you have now.

Go to our vendor list, choose a reliable vendor, and work with them to get a list together of the parts you'll need.  I worked with Miller's successfully in the past; but there are many others out there.