QuestionQUESTION: Hello,
I am in posession of a 1981 300d mercedes benz. I have owned the car for a year now, and I am in need or some serious advice. The floor of the car is, I fear, at its breaking point. There is a decent sized hole in the floor and I can feel it give everytime I sit down. I have talked to a couple local body shops about replacing the floor pans and so far I have had responses including $600.00 for everything and "What the hell is a 300d?". Needless to say, I want to have this repaired in hopes of one day fully restoring this car, which otherwise is in great shape, without getting ripped off. My question to you is what would be a reasonable price for such work or any advice on the possibility of making it a do-it-yourself project? Thank you very much for your time and any advice you can provide.
ANSWER: Hello Cody
The 300D is a nice car! I am currently resurecting an 85.
Floor boards - common issue, and a pretty easy weld job if you know how to weld. Basically take out the old metal weld in new. You can actually purchase the full pans which again are just basic welding. Problems occur because all the fuel lines and such run under the pans. Is it the full floor, if so $400-$600 is reasonable for the whole job ( all the floor board rust) . One pan should not be more than $125. I must ask- if the floor boards are rusted how is the rest of the car??
Take a close look in the rockers and wheel areas, also motor mount areas. Pull the rear seat , what does it look like there? Pull up all carpets and shine a light up from under ( in the dark) to see where the deficits might be . Rust is the common factor in the demise of these ol gals, how many miles?
Best of luck, hope this helps.
Happy Motoring
Ron
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Ron,
How are you? I hope everything is well. In regards to my 81 300d Mercedes, I have been having a bit of trouble identifying and locating a couple of parts. The first part is a window channel. A loose baseball from a backyard game made its way right through my passenger window recently. When I took it in to be replaced at my local glass shop, the man said he could replace it but I would not be able to roll the window up and down because the window channel had rusted out and is in need of replacement. He personally could not find one, and quite frankly, I'm having a hell of a time doing so myself. I was just curious as to if you knew of any good places I might find such an item. The next part I cannot even identify. It is a sort of knob like thing on the dash, just below the spedometer. The man I bought the car from may have told me the name, but all I know is that it can be turned when the car is first starting up to help warm the engine apparently...I think. Haha, as you can see, I'm in some need of assistance. I figured you being a 300D owner yourself, you might have some information that could be helpful. Thank you very much for your time, and best of wishes to you!
-Cody
ANSWER: I am well
I would suggest you become a member here ( its free) now that you are a 300D owner
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php
Post in wanted or diesel forum.
If anyone will have it you will find it there, I am a long term and active member ( my name is Meltedpanda)
I also have a few contacts if that does not pan out.
The knob - is it original or add on?
All I can think of is odometer reset, clock reset or some kind of switch to the glow plugs or something to enrich fuel or air.
Can you take a picture and send to rbarbato@emrmc.org?
I could probably help more if I could see it.
Good Luck
Ron
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Ron!
You previously said that it is possible to buy floor pans online and then weld them in yourself. I was just wondering if you knew of any websites or places where I could purchase the floor pans for my Mercedes.
Thank you very much!
AnswerI would start here,
http://www.rustrepair.com/
or
http://www.kkmfg.com/
have you thought about welding in your own metal?
also you can always find a junker and see if they can be cut out, of course this is much more difficult, but probably cheaper
Good Luck
