Pete has been continuing his work on our 1985 Mercedes 500SL, beginning with an oil change. The engine’s large drain plug released a significant volume of old oil, nearly overwhelming the oil drainer. Once drained, the filter housing and old filter were removed, thoroughly cleaned of residue, and refitted with fresh copper washers and O-rings. Following this, all eight spark plugs were replaced – a task made challenging by the engine layout. The battery was removed on one side and the coolant expansion tank on the other to access the plugs. New plugs were installed with a smear of copper grease to facilitate future servicing. While the battery was out, it was replaced with a new unit that had been delivered.
The gearbox received attention next, addressing a noted whine in park when running. The gearbox oil was drained, and the sump was cleaned to remove minor corrosion around the seal. A new filter and seals were installed before reassembling the sump and refilling the gearbox with Dexron II automatic transmission fluid. After starting the engine and cycling through the gears, the whine was eliminated, confirming a successful repair.
The final task was the steering tie bar and damper. Stubborn ball joints were removed, and the tie bar was taken to the bench to replace the damper with a new unit. The assembly was refitted to the car, and the steering arms were cleaned in preparation for any tracking adjustments that might be needed.
