Conrad ;
.All those junkyard parts need to find a home before SWMBO returns from visiting her folks....
Yesterday's torrential rain (complete with at least one tornado, about 10 miles away from me) zoomed through and today was sunny and in the low 70s. Perfect day for putting some parts where they belong.
Son has been taking Auto Tech 1 all year. I really have expected him to learn more in school than he has--I think he learned more in a single day of taking bits of Benz apart in the junkyard than virtually all his classroom time. (I had no idea that Auto Tech 1 apparently involves learning how to change oil, bleed brakes--and that's about it.)
At any rate, the new-to-him seat went in and the old seat-shaped-object went out. Remarkable difference, and that was even before I put in the new seat switch. I must say that I like working with the hung door inserts of the W126 more than the anchored inserts of the W123--so much easier and fewer fears of tearing the door insert! The new seat both looks good and works properly in all directions. Plus, it smells much less like a moldy wet dog. We lucked out with that particular $20 purchase.
After that, it was an afternoon of fiddly bits for Son, while I tried to put my scooter back together. I realize that Chinese scooters (my commuter vehicle to the train) are not the highest quality vehicles, but mine seems to have real equilibrium problems. It keeps falling over when I park it on either the sidestand or the centerstand. My brother is convinced someone must be pushing it over, because I haven't been able to detect a pattern, other than it always falls on the same side--onto the right side, AWAY from the sidestand. Anyway, while I was screwing lights and bodywork back on the 50cc ~2 HP powerhouse that makes my 300D feel like a drag racer, Son swapped out the driver's side carpet, both sun visors, and started taking a closer look at how to replace some of the broken wood trim. With just those few changes, Escargot the acceleration-challenged 300SD already started looking oodles better. Son had less good luck with replacing the passenger-side mirror--the junkyard mirror we picked up needs to be lubed a bit better before it will fit in properly, I think. Son did manage to remove the broken window regulator without damaging himself or the driver's side rear door. Typical shattered plastic slider. We'll grind off the rivet tomorrow and then hopefully, he can borrow the hydraulic press at school tomorrow for 30 seconds to peen the new one into shape.
Quick question re: window regulator. The arm on which the slider attaches is bent into at least three different segments, each at a slightly different angle. I could easily see that the slider needs to get bent a bit in/out to match the window slide, but should the regulator otherwise be perfectly straight? If so, that's one more thing to add to the junkyard list for our next trip.
I'm hoping to reserve some time tomorrow for my poor 300D. I'll noodle-up the newish seat tonight so it'll be ready to slide in tomorrow. Then maybe some vacuum system testing. And there's still that driver's side door seal looking mournfully at me.
...and then it will be time to start dealing with Escargot's motor and fungus-laden fuel. I've already added fungicide to the tank just to get the party started, so to speak. We'll be changing all the filters after a Diesel Purge. I guess it's a good thing that the car isn't being driven at the moment (but that will hopefully change fairly soon).
--Conrad J.
Posted by: vwnate1@yahoo.com
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