ML write off rebuild

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Tom-B

Tom-B

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ML320 CDI Sport - W164 2008
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A few more parts arrived today, new grille thanks to Dronsfields and the correct PDC sensor this time... in tje right colour.
It’s looking like the bumper is going to be a frankenstein affair for the time being, just to get the car through it’s MOT... then I can take my time and find a decent replacement.
The inner frame is proving to be particularly difficult to source, new or used.
62F16129-E819-460B-A733-512715D827DC.jpeg
 

Andy.M

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2014 GLA250 Premium Plus, Night, AMG Exclusive Leather, Driving Assistance Packs COMAND DAB HK Audio
What ever you do, dont forget to put the thingymabob back in the watchyamacallit or you will have to strip it all down again. :)
 
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Tom-B

Tom-B

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So after a seemingly long time without much going on, I took a day off work last Friday and blitzed what i could.
I must be 90% towards being ready for the MOT now.
Just waiting on a PDC sensor bracket to go into the patched up front bumper.
I must stress, the Frankenstein’s monster bumper is a temporary solution while I shop around for a good deal on a complete bumper assy.
It’s looking like Poland is going to be the most likely source at the moment as there is an abundance of W164 parts for sale. I’ve always fancied a trip and have a few Polish mates who might join for a proper weekend away.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand...
First thing was to fix the PDC sensor plug that took a whack and stripped one of the wires:
31BA2116-748F-4DE5-B007-9E3DDAD492E3.jpeg
Soldered and insulated:
A9A737DC-0BAE-4F57-BC03-42D817515CEB.jpeg

Then got to work stripping the bumper assy apart to see what I could do with it.. cable ties at the ready!
0C1F2D46-CC40-4FCD-8458-F1CAAB3AEBE1.jpeg
83B6BD31-FE9B-4A1E-B6E5-7BF90B3F9A1E.jpeg
Done:
0E8E5EDC-8691-42BE-83E1-ADA78A8CBA4E.jpeg

Now, I’ve missed some pics but basically I salvaged all apart from the lower valance as I picked up a replacement cheap.
I have a lower grille too but I’m saving that as it’s brand new.

Then got to work on the wing and bonnet... this is where Andy’s post came true. Whoops... forgot to out the plastic trim back in the door shut and didn’t notice til it was all back together!
Fortunately the doors are really easy to remove!

What ever you do, dont forget to put the thingymabob back in the watchyamacallit or you will have to strip it all down again. :)

C9DB5F7A-B545-4402-9885-38FE365D7BD6.jpeg

Had to play about with the bolts at the bottom of the wing as they were slightly bent, but a few goes and it was nicely lined up.

FEC426A2-9690-408F-84A9-9F874716F0BA.jpeg

The replacement bonnet came with heated washer jets which mine doesn’t have, bonus! Although I need a harness as it’s been chopped by the breaker.
I also need to find out where they connect to, and if it’s plug and play?
Can find very little online.
BF5C9B40-8403-4416-A7C7-3982EB69CFAA.jpeg

Got the bonnet on, don’t recommend this as a one man job! It’s really challenging.
Test fitted the bodged up bumper and it seems OK.
86C23D01-EC80-4A1D-9288-6E6E286C491C.jpeg

The driver’s headlight needs a better fix on the top bracket as it broke off again but I think I’ve sorted it.
A new horn arrived today, grille is here, so just waiting on that PDC bracket coming from Latvia and she’ll be ready for MOT time.

Once the MOT is done, the finessing begins.
- Noticed there’s a small amount of smoking from behind the offside airfilter housing so I suspect some kind of oil seal resides there.
- Turbo/Intake big red oil seal needs replacement and I have one already. Just need some instant gasket.
- While above is off I’ll do the fuel filter and swirl flap resistor. Have the resistor, ordered some fancy 3pin plugs to do a proper job of it.
- Engine Oil change, trans oil change, air filters
- A damn good clean inside and out
- A nearside rear tyre soon to match the new offside one!

And no doubt, a few more things i’ll pick up along the way.
 

Wighty

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Fantastic work buddy , really coming together .
What was the 3 pin plug you ordered for the "resistor fix"? , I'm interested as mine is just taped with electrical tape at the moment .
 
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Tom-B

Tom-B

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Fantastic work buddy , really coming together .
What was the 3 pin plug you ordered for the "resistor fix"? , I'm interested as mine is just taped with electrical tape at the moment .

Cheers, I ordered these:
7AE1C9A5-90C3-4AB5-AA94-AF6319394C44.jpeg 1F150F1A-6AC9-44CF-BA7A-D90F75A40D8E.jpeg

They come in 10s, I struggled to find singles... if you cover me for costs I’ll send you one of mine if you like?

I was planning on “potting” the resistor to make it look nice and neat, but you can just push them in I believe.
 
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Tom-B

Tom-B

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Forgot to mention, white van in the pics was Mark from M-Fix paying a visit again to leak test and regas the A/C system.
15 mins on test and no leaks, measures 5 degrees at the vent which I’m more than happy with.
So now I have Bahamas heat for winter and Arctic ice for summer.
Mark also fixed a very old electrical gremlin on the S13 too, only one high beam was working which was traced back to carbon build up on the stalk switch contacts.. so overall, happy!

Am very keen on a heated steering wheel retrofit at some point though!
 

Andy.M

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Don't say I didn't warn you about the thingymabob!! :p

Loving this build. It's a million miles out of my league :)
 

Wighty

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Cheers, I ordered these:
View attachment 49125 View attachment 49124

They come in 10s, I struggled to find singles... if you cover me for costs I’ll send you one of mine if you like?

I was planning on “potting” the resistor to make it look nice and neat, but you can just push them in I believe.
That's a kind offer buddy , I'll search the garage in the next few days , if I don't find anything suitable to "cap off "the resistor I'll get back to you .
 
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Tom-B

Tom-B

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So unfortunately a slight balls up with the order meant I only received x1 set of the plugs not the x10 that I ordered.. never mind, the remaining 9 are on their way and I can still get to work sorting my car out in the mean time.
D7D27B7E-1C57-4747-87B5-183EE417A846.jpeg

Service kit on it way, going to do the fuel filter while the top is off and the big red seal.
Have a bit of gasket sealant too to enduse no oil is getting past it.
Oil (10 litres to support the 8.5l capacity!) and filter. And even managed to get a replacement PDC holder from Euro car parts that comes with an adhesive pad.
Have ordered a set of Ken and Norman air filters but some recent reading says they aren’t worth the money... so I’ll probably exchange them for some OE parts and invest the difference elsewhere.
 

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Tom-B

Tom-B

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Feels like it’s been a long time since I last provided an update, I’ve been away a lot so have had to do bits and pieces as and when possible.
I’ve been able to get the patched up bumper fitted along with the new grille and get her into a state of being able to drive.
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Some futher testing on private roads has revealed a few unforseen issues.
How I didn’t notice how low the OSF is sitting is beyond me! Some further investigation led to a shock discovery. (Like that one?)...
FCB1CEF3-5BF3-4931-9944-5BE812007EDB.jpeg
The pig tail on the bottom of the spring has broken off, leaving the car riding on the bump stop.
F3C871FD-C581-4F35-8E07-D34148D36CC3.jpeg
Old one vs a part from a low mileage breaker...
Noticed that the brake flexi hoses had seen better days so fitted some new ones while I was down there.
2CDB6FDF-CEE5-4B7E-BB16-28FBC0C67EED.jpeg
Now with correct ride height!
5DBFBEE3-8DAB-4DD1-877D-10AAF3067BF5.jpeg

A scout at the back also revealed a broken rear spring too.. so a pair of new sachs OE spec replacements will be going on later.
Hard to see as it’s covered by the rubber.
EDB9A95D-FDE5-4BBF-8578-C33745D62AC4.jpeg

I’ve found the culprit for the oily smoke near the exhaust, the PCV valve is leaking and is actually classed as a service item, so i’ll be fitting the newer version when it arrives from sunny Poland!
 

Blobcat

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You’ll get to know that Mercedes springs are made of cheese and tend to break without warning.
Not just Mercedes, they're all like it now. Take a walk up most roads and you'll find bits of springs lying at the side of the road. Even more prevalent if there's a bend or few bumps around as the broken bit gets bounced out onto the road.
 
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Tom-B

Tom-B

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Yeah I can’t help thinking that the problem is exacerbated by the abundance of cheap aftermarket springs on the market now.
The Sachs ones are made in the Netherlands which gives me some reassurance.
Time will tell!
 

daibevan

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They only last if the roads are flat.
 

BillyBoy

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If only it had AirMatic - no chance of any suspension problems if you had that...
 

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