Front Suspension Rebuild

[badali]

My 1961 220Sb has a completely loose and worn front suspension.  About how long does it take to remove and replace all the parts?  My local shop has done these before and ordered everything already.  I had major sticker shock on the parts alone.  They just charge by the hour until it is done.  If anyone can give me a rough amount of hours I won't have an unexpected heart attack when I get the bill.

[badali]

Has anyone done a front suspension rebuild that can give an estimate of time needed?

[230slhouston]

Brad,
I did this last year....currently restoring. I did all the repair myself, it is time consuming. I striped every component, blasted and painted. opted to paint vs powder coat.
Took me 50 hours labor only (excludes remover/replace). parts are not cheap. board most parts from MB online dealers. I used FEBI parts as well...se my posts. I can dig up the parts list and share if need be.

Good luck.

[badali]

My restoration shop bought the parts and I already paid for them.  He will get the car in in the next few month since he has a lot of work in progress already.  Wow 50 hours... OK that gives me an idea where the cost is headed.  It needs done though.  I guess I should allow $5k to $10k to get the car rolling down the road nicely again. Thanks for the input.

[Leester]

Hello Brad

You may recall that years ago I bought a rear end and front subframe from you. I ended up disassembling and reassembling the front subframe, wishbones, etc. Not sure it needed it but I powder coated many of the parts. Once I got all the parts ready to reassemble I don't think it took me 50 hours. Wish I could give you a better estimate but I did it over time a few hours here and there and didn't keep track.

[badali]

Leester,

I remember, I think you also took the dash to another person.

Hahn Auto Restoration in Harmony Pa is going to do the work.  They did not want to estimate the time on this since some times it may go easy or difficult and they charge by the hour.  They have restored many gull wings, pagodas, 190Sl,  111 cabriolets and just about any other car.  They definitely have done these front suspensions.

The 220S is not a monetary high value car but the front end needs rebuilt.  The main goal is to get it driving safely down the road.  I can live with the cosmetic flaws...

[Leester]

Brad,

You remember correctly (I had forgotten about that dash piece - the guy who picked it up was very grateful). I do remember that my truck marked its territory on your driveway.  Its been a long time but with a little luck I hope finally that my 280SL project will make noise sometime in September. And when it drives (have full interior to do) it will have its 3.27 rear diff.

Stay well

Lee

[230slhouston]

Brad,
the work I did was strip all components, sandblast (myself), epoxy paint and assemble.  I may just work a little slower than most folks. Looks all new now.