Hi Dan,
At long last we've decided to rebuild the original differential in the 230SL and also leave it with drum brakes. The replacement flex joint should arrive tomorrow. Solid boot tomorrow or next as well as wheel cylinders and pinion seal. I have everything else to put it back together.
The bushing and sleeve combo I am referring to is attached to the bottom of the carrier arm and slides over the large pivot shaft. The top of the carrier attaches to the trunk.
I spent quite a bit of time over the last week searching for this part as the rubber between the two steel sleeves was getting bad. The only replacement I could find is in Belgium and will take a month. So today I decided to try to rebuild it myself and had very satisfactory results. It will outlast me.
I've found another hard to get item - rear drum brake shoes. Mine aren't bad, with 3/16 lining left, but are getting old and I'm replacing the wheel cylinders. So I thought I'd replace the shoes while I'm at it. Not that easy, so I may have them relined some day, but for now they look fine and I can keep looking.
Thanks for the reply and greetings from the south shore of Lake Erie.
Ed Riefstahl
Erie, PA
1966 230SL (Ms Magoo)
1970 280S (Miss Daisy)
1989 300SE (Majestic)
1999 BMW Z3 5 speed
1991 BMW 318I 5 Speed
1997 Toyota Paseo Convertible - Red 5 speed (have you ever seen one?)
1997 Ford Ranger (Step Side 54K)
2023 Mazda CX 5
