Anyone with a US spec 70-71 Automatic?

[Shvegel]

Can someone with a 70-71 Automatic take a picture of the Neutral safety switch and post it here.  The switch is on the firewall between the cylinder head and the brake master cylinder on the driver's side.  I am trying to see if the fitting on the cable attached to the switch is the older closed brown plastic one or the open black plastic one.

Thanks in advance,
Pat

[WRe]

Hi,
mine looks like the open black plastic one (German spec, Automatic, Jan. 1971).
...WRe

[Shvegel]

WRe,
Thanks for the picture.  Unfortunately my request wasn't clear.  I am looking for a picture of the mechanical cable where it attaches to arm on
 the switch.  Maybe 20mm to the right of your photo.

[MikeSimon]

Here you go, Pat. As you know, my engine compartment is open and partially disassembled. You are welcome to check things out in person any time..
Mine is a German spec car too, but these details may be the same.

[Shvegel]

Thanks Mike!  Does this mean the cover is off and you are going back together?   I had taken a picture of your switch when I was there but I am wondering if that is the correct style?  Your's is the only one like that I have seen.  The end is still available from Mercedes for $95 (Ouch) but there are no pictures of the current offering.  I hat to order it to find out it is some oddball thing that doesn't look right.

[MikeSimon]

Yes, Pat, the cover is off, but I am still far from going back together. I am still working on my cylinder head, debating which one to use. My original one or a spare I got from Kurt. Both have issues.

I am not sure if the switch arrangement is original, but I don't think anyone ever worked on that. What looks different? Maybe the German spec part WAS different. Let me check if I have any pics from other cars.

[Jonny B]

Here is a shot of the switch in my 1970 280 SL (late September 1969 build)

[MikeSimon]

It seems that most of the ones I see have the standard ball-joint connection as in Jonny B's pic.
Even a drawing in the BBB showing the switch has this. If it is a late model change, I wonder when it happened. My car is December 1970.

[Iconic]

Shvegel,
You are talking about the part that is at the end of the cable which captures the ball on the switch arm, correct?
If so, mine looks exactly as Jonny B's looks. Not like the one on MikeSimon's car.
My previous Pagoda had the same part too.
Both of these were 1970 USA cars built in August of '69. Both cars matched Jonny B's car.
I hope that helps.
Mark

[WRe]

hi,
Sorry, my fault!
Mine is the open plastic version.
...WRe

[Shvegel]

Thanks Jon,
I am fairly certain that is the correct one.  Since my car is close to 71 production I wasn't sure if the one Mike has may be the latest but I haven't seen another like his.

[Shvegel]

WRe,
The plot thickens.  I sort of remember the open one on my car too.  As my restoration progresses I am seeing the the late 280's (Mine is May 1970) are more aligned with the 71's that the early 70's with the exception of the plastic coolant tank.  The differences are subtle but they are carried right through to the end of production.  So far I "think" the differences are the 100 degree switch on the thermostat housing is a larger round shape, The small fusebox rearward of the brake booster is in line with the firewall rather than across and the fitting on the neutral safety switch cable is different.

[MikeSimon]

I would assume, if it is still available from Mercedes, it is the latest version and if it is $95.-, it is probably plastic...

[Shvegel]

Crazy money.  I just ordered one of these without knowing size etc.  I figure if it is wrong it might at least have a logo on it.

https://www.boats.net/product/mercury/853745

[Shvegel]

Thanks everyone for chiming in.  It is always fun hunting down this stuff.  The deeper I get in the more I see little changes that occur mid year that can drive you crazy.

[Pawel66]

Not sure if useful: march 1970, euro, black plastic.

[WRe]

Hi,
MB part no. A1273000086, no longer available, last price 57,18€.
I found one here: https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search_2016.cgi?command=DWsearch&description=A1273000086 for 85,50$.
Crazy!
...WRe

[Shvegel]

If all else fails I will order one from Mercedes.  2 things are stopping me right now.  Not knowing if the new part is the same as the old part so I don't end up with some neon blue one I can't return and not wanting to be complicit in Mercedes treating me like I am an idiot for selling me what is certainly a sub $1 USD part for $85.

[WRe]

Hi,
I'am wondering if you can use ball sockets from Fuel Injection Linkage too. Compared to the original ones these are cheap: https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-30-acc-linkage-c-3_66.
...WRe

[mercakungen]

The ball socket on my 9/69 built car looks same as one in Johnny B´s photo. The material is steel no plastic.

Matti

[Shvegel]

Thanks Matti!

[Shvegel]

Well,  I got lucky.  It turns out the Mercury part was a direct match.  $85 from Mercedes and $5 from Mercury marine.  A little time on the lathe and I have the adjuster as well.

[66andBlue]

Hi,
MB part no. A1273000086, no longer available, last price 57,18€.
I found one here: https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search_2016.cgi?command=DWsearch&description=A1273000086 for 85,50$.
Crazy!
...WRe

Hi Wolfgang and Pat,
I am puzzled about this part number. All the vendors that sell it refer to it as a "ball socket"
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-ball-socket-throttle-1273000086
or Kugelpfanne:
https://originalteile.mercedes-benz.de/kugelpfanne-135100

The spare parts list for the 280SL shows only ball sockets with a p/n 000 991 08 22.
If you click on "27" on the SLS graphic:
https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/27-automatic-gearbox-27-b-automatic-linkage-and-connecting-parts-c-3_2333_64
it shows it as a metal ball socket.

Was this open plastic connector that you have perhaps an aftermarket item?

[Shvegel]

From what we can see there was a small run of cars equipped with the plastic socket in the late 70 to early 71 range.

[66andBlue]

How small is small, three cars? 
All of the late 280SL at Motoringinvestments that I have seen had the metal ball socket.