1978 280SLC

[Guest Gargle]

there are several variables, but here goes:

power steering pump - this could be the main culprit. i changed this and its around $700 brand new. reconditioned ones are sometimes available at around half that price, but i think best to spend for a new one.

shocks - the old ones can be fatigued, and don't return back to position fast enough sometimes, so i think they keep the wheels on the road, and improve steer.

ball joints and upper/lower arm - this affects the steer and alignment

steering damper and drag link - dampens the vibrations from the wheel and road. i had to get this done up again as my steering was not so smooth and found damper had not be centred properly.

hope this helps.

[Guest Gargle]

got some minor tweaks done - replaced some wear and tear, so quite excited on the next steps...

1. transmission

2. paint work

I am leaning heavily on the transmission rebuild as the priority because i expect the body/paintwork will be a drawn out process. Still sussing out who can get this done properly.

Hear Ah Beng at Sin Ming is the go-to guy for rebuilds. Anyone tried him out before?

[Guest RTCS]

Lately when driving on expressway, my '94 c180 seems like suddenly drop from 4th gear to 3rd and remains at high rpm.

Happened once two weeks ago so I though topped up some ATF although still within range as indicated by the dip stick.

But still happened twice after that. Went to a workshop that specialised in transmission, after test drive around and check and double check it was pronounced as transmission governor dead and need to overhaul gearbox. Confirmed he said

Guy gave me a quote for $2,000 and to be grounded for seven working days. I was like ok, not bad for that price actually by seven days is a long wait. So decided to let my favorite Benz workshop in JB do it, maybe can cut short to 3 days. Got confidence in him as I've been with him for more than ten years liao.

Heng arh, my JB mechanic test drove it and confirm is not gear box spoil lah. End up is the bowden cable broke at the plastic part. Ordered a replacement and overall took about half a day to fix at a quarter of the price. Spend the waiting time playing my iphone and had bakuteh for RM6.30

[g8crasher]

RTCS wrote:

Lately when driving on expressway, my '94 c180 seems like suddenly drop from 4th gear to 3rd and remains at high rpm.

Happened once two weeks ago so I though topped up some ATF although still within range as indicated by the dip stick.

But still happened twice after that. Went to a workshop that specialised in transmission, after test drive around and check and double check it was pronounced as transmission governor dead and need to overhaul gearbox. Confirmed he said

Guy gave me a quote for $2,000 and to be grounded for seven working days. I was like ok, not bad for that price actually by seven days is a long wait. So decided to let my favorite Benz workshop in JB do it, maybe can cut short to 3 days. Got confidence in him as I've been with him for more than ten years liao.

Heng arh, my JB mechanic test drove it and confirm is not gear box spoil lah. End up is the bowden cable broke at the plastic part. Ordered a replacement and overall took about half a day to fix at a quarter of the price. Spend the waiting time playing my iphone and had bakuteh for RM6.30

Heng arh!! One more diagnosis to add to the W202 C180 repair checklist. Thanks for sharing.

[Guest Gargle]

thats very interesting. i must get it checked, although i don't have the problem of the gear dropping as described. Instead, i am experiencing irregular gear shifts, i.e. shifts up too early or down too late. this should be a gearbox / transmission issue?

bro g8crasher - does my prognosis sound correct?

[g8crasher]

Gargle wrote:

thats very interesting. i must get it checked, although i don't have the problem of the gear dropping as described. Instead, i am experiencing irregular gear shifts, i.e. shifts up too early or down too late. this should be a gearbox / transmission issue?

bro g8crasher - does my prognosis sound correct?

Might be a vacuum line pressure issue or a faulty modulation valve causing the irregular shifts too.

[Guest Gargle]

good suggestion - i may check that first!

[Guest Gargle]

Checked and the prognosis is not good. Rebuilding the tranny and collecting this week.

[Guest RTCS]

Gargle wrote:

Checked and the prognosis is not good. Rebuilding the tranny and collecting this week.

Brother Gargle, what's the prognosis? Does the problem improve after warming up?

[Guest Gargle]

nope it doesn't as far as i can tell. the gear box was leaking and originally thought it would be the sump or the gasket. Unfortunately it turned out to be more serious.

i will get the full report today.

[Guest Maniac]

Hi, how did the report go on the tranny? BTW, will you be able to attend the January GTG?

[Guest Gargle]

Hi Maniac!

Yes the transmission was indeed on the verge of a massive failure. clutch plate, gaskets, bushings, the list goes on. Now it is as good as new.

Jan GTG - i would be keen to go as i believe i will be in town

[Guest Maniac]

See you there!

[Guest Gargle]

missed the session due to the rain. next month!!!

[Guest Gargle]

Final part - doing up the touchup to paint!

changed tyres to 225s and hopefully end Feb should be done with most of the odds and ends and final touch ups too!

Phew! That was a long journey in terms of restoration!

[Guest Maniac]

See you on Sunday?

[Guest Gargle]

Yes this Sunday looks very likely - see you!

[Guest Gargle]

Big news guys ... i am thinking of SELLING!

Interested to give it a spin, please get in touch. Hope that it can be safely put in the hands of a fellow enthusiast.

My number is 92988037