From owner-diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Thu Jun 28 17:17:00 2012 From: diesel-benz-digest To: diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:17:39 +0000 Subject: diesel-benz-digest V1 #3613 diesel-benz-digest Friday, June 29 2012 Volume 01 : Number 3613 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] well, those wheels and tires didn't last long... Re: [db] well, those wheels and tires didn't last long... [db] unobtanium... [db] New tyres; front or back ? Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? [db] break out the popcorn [db] other 124 parts from bruces-wreck-a-benz-facility... :) Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request@digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:12:09 -0700 From: Bruce Caruthers Subject: [db] well, those wheels and tires didn't last long... Replaced the gaudy and oversized wheels/tires on the 300SL on Monday. Went from 18" chrome to 16" silver-painted aftermarket MB replacements (ASA, TireRack). Much better handling, ride, and road noise with the proper size and style of tires. (Not to mention not rubbing and scraping on the inside of the wheelwell when making sharp turns or hitting bumps.) Unfortunately, Tuesday night, the wife sideswiped a curb going around a "traffic calming device" (roundabout) and blew out both right-side tires and broke both rims (front is bent and cracked badly, rear might be just edge damage, maybe). Had to get AAA to flatbed it to the tire place (well after hours, of course). Guess the road-damage warranty is paying for itself already. (Although will still have to pay about $50 for each tire for installing/balancing, new road-damage warranty, etc. Plus at least one new wheel, I expect.) I'm just really hoping she only damaged the wheels and tires, and not the suspension or steering... - -bkc Lynnwood, WA (his) '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] (hers) '92 Toyota Celica GT (long overdue to be retired or sold) (ours) '87 MB 300D Turbo [W124.133/603.960] (acquired, 21Apr12) (ours) '91 MB 300SL-24 [R129.061/M104.981] (acquired, 25May12) (RIP) '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] (totaled, 28Mar12) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:23:51 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] well, those wheels and tires didn't last long... suspension will likely be fine... you've been to Europe, you know what the roads and curbs are like... they really mess up the roads around here with some of these "curbs"... took out the oil pan with one with my jetta... there was a kid that was hit by a squad car with lights on coming down 164th and swerved to miss a van, and got one of those stupid curbs in the middle of the road, it threw him back toward the right side of the road, and up the other curb and into a kid standing on the sidewalk watching him go by... mill creek took the curb out in that section, but they keep popping up... plastic poles would be cheaper and safer... I'm convinced of two things after living here for over 25 years: 1) the road engineers don't drive 2) snohomish means bad roads with no shoulders. so, we should come up with a nickname for your bride... hmmmm... benz slayer... destroyer of benz... creator of parts... project instigator... creative repurposing of mercedes materials... (she knows I'm only kidding... right? ;) :) looking at a Diesel Liberty tomorrow... trying to get my wife to give up her Benz and keep the Jetta TDI Wagon... she refuses... can't say as I blame her... that Benz is quick, nice looking and rides better... so if we get the CRD KJ my jetta will be up for sale... hate to part with it, but getting a stock Diesel Jeep has been my plan since I sold my '85 Jeep Cherokee with the Turbo Diesel in 1994... :) The prices have finally come down to where I can almost afford a nice one... john ----- Linux: the choice of a GNU generation - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -o|||||o- john-at- http://WAGONEERS.COM TRSTGZS Snohomish, Washington - where Jeeps and Diesels don't rust, they mold - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- support WAGONEERS.COM:buy AMSOIL@: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Wed, 27 Jun 2012, Bruce Caruthers wrote: # Replaced the gaudy and oversized wheels/tires on the 300SL on Monday. Went from 18" chrome to 16" silver-painted aftermarket MB replacements (ASA, TireRack). Much better handling, ride, and road noise with the proper size and style of tires. (Not to mention not rubbing and scraping on the inside of the wheelwell when making sharp turns or hitting bumps.) # # Unfortunately, Tuesday night, the wife sideswiped a curb going around a "traffic calming device" (roundabout) and blew out both right-side tires and broke both rims (front is bent and cracked badly, rear might be just edge damage, maybe). Had to get AAA to flatbed it to the tire place (well after hours, of course). # # Guess the road-damage warranty is paying for itself already. (Although will still have to pay about $50 for each tire for installing/balancing, new road-damage warranty, etc. Plus at least one new wheel, I expect.) # # I'm just really hoping she only damaged the wheels and tires, and not the suspension or steering... # # -bkc # Lynnwood, WA # (his) '76 MB 240D [W115.117/616.916] # (hers) '92 Toyota Celica GT (long overdue to be retired or sold) # (ours) '87 MB 300D Turbo [W124.133/603.960] (acquired, 21Apr12) # (ours) '91 MB 300SL-24 [R129.061/M104.981] (acquired, 25May12) # (RIP) '93 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo [W124.128/602.962] (totaled, 28Mar12) # ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:28:10 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] unobtanium... I'm kind of stumped, shocked and amazed all at the same time... I'm used to dealing with unobtanium for Jeeps and Mercedes and even VWs... but for a '97 Chevy Suburban??? - what is the world coming to? I needed two parts... neither are available from the parts department... both appear to be high failure rate parts that are quite common... the one part, for the instrument cluster is a simple stepper motor to drive the odometer... even the cluster repair shop doesn't have them... huh? say what? how is this possible? I put the dash back together... oh well, knowing how many miles travelled on how many gallons is NOT something I really wanted to know anyway... As soon as this tank is empty, it's for sale... (seriously... only bought it to use ONE week in August... ...) john ----- Linux: the choice of a GNU generation - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -o|||||o- john-at- http://WAGONEERS.COM TRSTGZS Snohomish, Washington - where Jeeps and Diesels don't rust, they mold - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- support WAGONEERS.COM:buy AMSOIL@: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:43:00 -0400 From: "Renaud (Ron) Olgiati" Subject: [db] New tyres; front or back ? Following a couple of arguments between SWMBO and kerb edges, I have to put two new tyres on the W123 300D auto. According to some, I should put the new tyres at the rear, where there is more wear from acceleration; others sya I want the new tyres at the front, because a front-wheels skid is worse that one affecting the rear wheels. What is the feeling of the assembled congregation ? Cheers, Ron. - -- C'est bien plus beau lorsque c'est inutile. -- Edmond Rostand -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:58:32 -0500 From: Alec Cordova Subject: Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? A front wheel skid means you keep going where you were pointing. A rear wheel skid means you're no longer even pointed in the direction that you are moving. Major tire retail chains, at least here in central Texas, now have signs posted saying if you just buy two tires, they will only put them on the back. I have not seen any signs saying they won't rotate them to the front, though. If the remaining tires aren't too worn, it probably won't matter much for a while. Alec On Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 1:43 PM, Renaud (Ron) Olgiati wrote: > Following a couple of arguments between SWMBO and kerb edges, I have to put > two new tyres on the W123 300D auto. > > According to some, I should put the new tyres at the rear, where there is more > wear from acceleration; others sya I want the new tyres at the front, because > a front-wheels skid is worse that one affecting the rear wheels. > > What is the feeling of the assembled congregation ? > > Cheers, > > Ron. > -- > C'est bien plus beau lorsque c'est inutile. > -- Edmond Rostand > > -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:17:07 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? this pew sitter prefers being able to both stop and steer... the tire guy wants to put the good tread to the back... I say no thanx... I drive a Diesel, and if I can break 'em loose then I'll have fun power sliding... otherwise, I like being able to stop and steer... good tread to the front for this parishoner... ;) you might ask the guy to see if he can break the tires loose on your 300D.. make your point by pouring water under the back wheel and stand on the brake... :) he'll figure it out pretty quick, hopefully before you break a motor mount... in High School my best friend and I would walk across the street to his house and do burnouts in his driveway... we'd use water, but it's more dramatic with a little bleach... he had a '66 charger, I had a '68 mustang... we had a LOT of fun after watching Bullitt at the theater... :) my '91 300d would break the rear tires loose on smooth pavement or concrete, and smoke 'em. my '87 is capable of doing it too... but I still put the good tread in front... even in snow, I'd rather have steering and braking than traction in the rear... the trick in snow and ice is to never stop... cautious slow roll, never stop at the bottom of a hill, hang back, drive around the fools that stopped... ----- Linux: the choice of a GNU generation - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -o|||||o- john-at- http://WAGONEERS.COM TRSTGZS Snohomish, Washington - where Jeeps and Diesels don't rust, they mold - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- support WAGONEERS.COM:buy AMSOIL@: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Wed, 27 Jun 2012, Renaud (Ron) Olgiati wrote: # Following a couple of arguments between SWMBO and kerb edges, I have to put # two new tyres on the W123 300D auto. # # According to some, I should put the new tyres at the rear, where there is more # wear from acceleration; others sya I want the new tyres at the front, because # a front-wheels skid is worse that one affecting the rear wheels. # # What is the feeling of the assembled congregation ? # # Cheers, # # Ron. # ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:21:40 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? give me oversteer or give me death... oh wait, that's what you're offering me with understeer... I fear very few things... understeer is near the top of that list... I can drive out of oversteer... understeer is a death sentence... I killed my favorite jeep because of understeer induced by a detroit locker... oversteer is better... even if you end up going backward, then just do a reverse 180 while in reverse and you're going straight again... I've spun out a few times... when you're pointed backwards it's easy to swap ends... but there is very little you can do with understeer... you can try a J-turn, you can try to power out... it's pretty much a hopeless situation... front wheel drive cars can power out... rear wheel drives crash if they can't induce oversteer with brakes or power... I loathed understeer... I'm not fond of ABS, especially when I'm trying to get a vehicle sideways in a corner... :) ----- Linux: the choice of a GNU generation - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -o|||||o- john-at- http://WAGONEERS.COM TRSTGZS Snohomish, Washington - where Jeeps and Diesels don't rust, they mold - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- support WAGONEERS.COM:buy AMSOIL@: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Wed, 27 Jun 2012, Alec Cordova wrote: # A front wheel skid means you keep going where you were pointing. # A rear wheel skid means you're no longer even pointed in the direction # that you are moving. # # Major tire retail chains, at least here in central Texas, now have # signs posted saying if you just buy two tires, they will only put them # on the back. # # I have not seen any signs saying they won't rotate them to the front, though. # # If the remaining tires aren't too worn, it probably won't matter much # for a while. # # Alec # # On Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 1:43 PM, Renaud (Ron) Olgiati # wrote: # > Following a couple of arguments between SWMBO and kerb edges, I have to put # > two new tyres on the W123 300D auto. # > # > According to some, I should put the new tyres at the rear, where there is # more # > wear from acceleration; others sya I want the new tyres at the front, # because # > a front-wheels skid is worse that one affecting the rear wheels. # > # > What is the feeling of the assembled congregation ? # > # > Cheers, # > # > Ron. # > -- # > C'est bien plus beau lorsque c'est inutile. # > -- Edmond Rostand # > # > -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- # ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:49:52 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Hoffman Subject: Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? Rule of thumb in my climate (lots of snow) is to put the better tires with more grip on the rear for traction. - -- Jim Hoffman Oconomowoc WI - --- On Wed, 6/27/12, Renaud (Ron) Olgiati wrote: > From: Renaud (Ron) Olgiati > Subject: [db] New tyres; front or back ? > To: diesel-benz@digest.net > Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 1:43 PM > Following a couple of arguments > between SWMBO and kerb edges, I have to put > two new tyres on the W123 300D auto. > > According to some, I should put the new tyres at the rear, > where there is more > wear from acceleration; others sya I want the new tyres at > the front, because > a front-wheels skid is worse that one affecting the rear > wheels. > > What is the feeling of the assembled congregation ? > > Cheers, > > Ron. > -- > > C'est bien plus beau lorsque c'est > inutile. > > > -- Edmond > Rostand > > > > > -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:45:01 -0700 From: ditwiler Subject: Re: [db] New tyres; front or back ? I think it depends on the wear pattern in the two old tires that will be saved: Front tires tend to wear out on the edges (particularly on front wheel drive cars), while rear tires tend to wear out more uniformly or even at the center if you are like me a tend to keep them over inflated. If the old tires are worn on the edges, I'd put them in the back until I wore down the edges of the new ones. If they are more worn in the middle, I'd put them up front. With all things equal, I'd vote with John, stopping and steering are more important than going, but I don't live in the land of snow. - --Eric ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 22:47:30 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] break out the popcorn 1) unobtanium found in bay area, special container enroute... thanx MB! 2) fixed the cup holder (97 suburban) 3) buying 2005 KJ CRD w/ 64k on it. - my wife has already claimed it... http://wagoneers.com/tmp/KJ-CRD/all.html more pictures later (same place) 4) now, to sell the '87 300d or the '02 Jetta TDI wagon??? 5) no idea when my '83 J10 stepside with the sd33t/tf727 will be done... but it'll replace whatever I don't part with now... 6) still have to replace the wiring harness on the '83 J10 longbed... at this point I'm thinking about keeping the Jetta TDI and parting with the Benz... ...but the Benz is a better car... my son suggested I sell both and buy something else... he's no help... ;) NEXT PROJECT: affordable injectors for a TDI... preferrably w/o a core...(spares!) thanx, john ----- Linux: the choice of a GNU generation - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -o|||||o- john-at- http://WAGONEERS.COM TRSTGZS Snohomish, Washington - where Jeeps and Diesels don't rust, they mold - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:17:06 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] other 124 parts from bruces-wreck-a-benz-facility... :) Bruce, are you planning to use the wiring harness from your 124... in particular the "convenience" group? :) I was looking at the schematics and that is the only difference between the '87 and the newer ones... so I'm thinking that after upgrading my interior from '87 to '94 and finding existing plug ins under the floor, that I could grab the harness for the driver's door (key lock switch), and the windows, and whatever module is involved and provide auto down windows and be able to close all my windows with the key in the door... since your SL likely already has that, and is a 2dr... you might not need those parts... and I'm willing to wait to make sure you won't need anything... anyone else aware of any complications in trying to do this? because I'm trying to decide between the '02 Jetta TDI wagon and my '87 300d... the jetta has a slight edge by some nice electronic features... but the benz has a better engine/trans, body... interior... the jetta is more economical... but the benz is way faster... the jetta has working cruise... :( the jetta has working a/c and head... :( I also like the way the back of the jetta wagon holds my tools and stuff... but I can just find a nice case/toolbox... the benz is starting to win... plus I can power slide it... it looks better at 25 than the jetta does at 10... hmmmmm.... ----- Linux: the choice of a GNU generation - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -o|||||o- john-at- http://WAGONEERS.COM TRSTGZS Snohomish, Washington - where Jeeps and Diesels don't rust, they mold - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education" Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- support WAGONEERS.COM:buy AMSOIL@: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Wed, 27 Jun 2012, Bruce Caruthers wrote: # Replaced the gaudy and oversized wheels/tires on the 300SL on Monday. Went from 18" chrome to 16" silver-painted aftermarket MB replacements (ASA, TireRack). Much better handling, ride, and road noise with the proper size and style of tires. (Not to mention not rubbing and scraping on the inside of the wheelwell when making sharp turns or hitting bumps.) # ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #3613 **********************************