Sub Frame Mount Replacement

[JimVillers]

After the talk at the 113 Gathering in Ohio about replacing sub-frame mounts before they fail, I bought a set of mounts and have begun reading about the replacement procedures.  The manual shows replacing the mounts by removing the front assembly, which requires removing springs, pulling steering component and disconnecting brake lines.  It also shows dropping the engine mounts and suspending the engine from above while the job is in process.

Is all of this necessary?  Any hints or lessons learned?


Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[erickmarciano]

I also will do this very soon . did you get the 108 part# or the 113#
thanks


1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[JimVillers]

Erick ... I bought the "Kit" 113 586 00 33 that contains the two mounts, large bolts, small bolts and top plates.

Looks like a "fun" job.

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[Vince Canepa]

Jim - The techs at Stahl in Monterey (the dealer) used to do them one side at a time.  They would loosen up the chosen side, the pry the sub-frame down with a long pry bar and some carefully placed wood blocks, slip the old mount out and new mount in, then button everything up.  You would think the sub-frame would drop on its own, but they had to pry "vigorously".   The only time I did them myself, I had the sub-frame out for other reasons, so that doesn't bring much to the discussion.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[A Dalton]

Different chassis , but general idea.. one side at a time is  the trick

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W108Subframe

[ja17]

Hello Jim,

Yes you can do it one side at a time without removing the whole subframe. As mentioned a big pry bar to do a little persuation is needed at the right time.

Start by unhooking the sway bar on both sides, the shock, brake hose. etc on the side your working on. Finnally you will be able to sneak the new mount in place only after prying the sub frame down just a bit more!

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[erickmarciano]

Just did it one hour ago , got the 108 part # it is like 1/4 taller than the 113 # but way cheaper . I did it like Joe's instruction but only had to remove the sway bar and the 2 nuts on the bottom of the shock < not the brake lines etc...>
if you order the 108 part the 4 bolts around in the new kit are to short you will have to re use the old ones . not that hard

Erick marciano

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[ja17]

Erick,
I can't believe your pace three projects in a single week! These would keep the average W113 onwer busy a month or two!

Carry on!

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[erickmarciano]

thanks again Joe for all the help ,
got a 2 year old boy , a 11 month old girl and my wife is giving birth in one month . got to do all of this real fast.
the subframe made a good difference but I now need an alignment, I wonder why??



1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[Douglas]

So what are the symptoms that indicate that subframe mount replacement is needed?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[erickmarciano]

I has a light clunking noise when over a bump . If you inspect them they will look ok , but with the new ones the car is way more stable

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa