Thanks Mark ;
I figured as much but I'm not a good fabricator .
I can't weld either although I do have access to a very good Welder nearby .
I'm still using your $35 valve wrench set over my $75 Hazet set, everyone looks at them and the Mechanics say"where the heck to do you find such interesting and well made tools ?!" .
The hoity-toity folks say "there you go with your worthless Chinese tools again Nate !" .
I'm a Field mechanic from day one and still carry my tools in a bucket and use a shopping cart at the junkyard.....
I went to look at the junked '84 300D and the low quality (silver color) aftermarket 't' bracket was present but broken on twp places ~ apparently one rubber mount (also aftermarket) broke and allowed the air cleaner to bounce, this caused ALL SIX spot welds where the two pieces join, to break, this caused the rear end of the 'T' to snap and the down tuned inner edge of the cross piece to flex and snap off too .
Sigh . I'd thought of buying it and having the end bit re welded until I saw that .
I'd happily pay you to make me a nice 'T' bracket if you would be so kind .I can paint it)
Interestingly, this '84 was in decent shape, having been left to sit awhile, the air cleaner car was *perfect* so I removed and bought it, upon removing the lid I discovered the air filter element proper, to be brandy new MANN (OEM) brand filter, I re installed it and they gave that to me .
I forgot the invoice but IIRC the whole air cleaner was $27 + tax, a good deal IMO .
Only, the turbo was nearly seized and the inlet was caked in 1/8" of old, dirty oil crud so this car hadn't been running well before they gave up on it ~ I'd bought it because it looked solid and could easily be fixed, re sprayed (silver, ugh) and re sold but that's all too late now .
I found a very clean 1988 420SL and bought the right rear seat belt retractor from it because I know who slammed the rood on the 300TD's seat belt, shattering the buckle yet again .
I'll get it cleaned up and installed ere long .
Always so much work to do .
Think about the 'T' bracket mark .
TIA,
-Nate
Mark wrote :
Those t-brackets are and have been trouble from day one. (Not everything from DBAG was "nothing but the best".) Time to pitch them, all of 'em, including the OEM/OES, and make your own. The steel stock can be picked up at every hardware store. Cut to length, quick weld at the intersection of the "t", then drill and tap directly for the rubber mounts. Wipe down with acetone and spray on the color of choice (the originals were goldish-plated). Take all of about 2-hours, including dry time. That's it. Done and done.
Mark in Cen
