Hello Kent, I just came across your channel only because we just flat-bedded my Mother’s 1985 Mercedes convertible 500SL to my house. The car has been in storage under cover for over ten years and I’m debating on if I should fix it. When the mechanic went to put the hard top on to transport it last week, it was a disaster. My mom use to pick me up from college in this car and now my son wants to drive it to prom next year…lol! . I truly wish I could find someone in my area as knowledgeable as you.
Your story is very common as these old SLs get passed on to the next generation. Unfortunately, most have often been in long storage and have not run. 3 years is not too bad, 5 years creates more problems, and 10 years you are looking at major work. The fuel injection system does not do well with long storage and old gasoline in the system. The brake system will be frozen and will need complete rebuilding. If you are willing to do the work and the car is clean and not rusty if could be worth it and would be a great project to do with your son. Finding a mechanic to try to fix it for you is tough. Not many out there really know how to work on these fuel systems. I have all the kits and parts you would need, with video instructions to get it back on the road. You would need a good workspace, a good floor jack and 2 jack stands, 4 car ramps and a good assortment of tools. It could get VERY expensive if you try to have the car repaired at a shop. Hope that helps, Kent
Good Evening Kent, Thank you so much for your very informative, detailed reply. The car is clean with no rust issues and low mileage. Everyone who use to work on the car is either out of business or passed away. I however am a housewife. I’m very handy and a quick learner, but definitely not a foreign car mechanic. I think I’m more sentimental about the car and just reflecting on days gone by. I will definitely consider your advice and now I know where I can get parts. Maybe it’s time I put down my spatula and pick up a floor jack..lol! Again, I appreciate your reply and will watch more of your videos and subscribe. Jacqueline M.
If anyone cares to listen, i’m telling you right now, if this applies to you and if you plan on keeping your Mercedes-purchase this assembly from Ken right away. It’s not a matter of if but when. My 1998 SL500 steering lock broke, locked up of course the steering wheel. I was unbelievably fortunate. The car was in my garage when this happened. Wis/Asra procedures are to destroy the lock. I managed to drill a hole and remove the lock assembly and get it out (gut it) to temporally use assembly while I waited for the new part and I could drive my car. I also changed my ignition switch since the whole assembly was out . Although my Key and Tumbler are working fine, I would much rather preemptively replace the Tumbler, so I don’t have to change all the locks on the car if it fails on me. Ken , if you have a recommendation for business that sells the tumbler and rekeying I would appreciate it if you post the company. Thanks for your video.
Sorry, I do not have a shop open to the public. All my business is done online with kits and instructions to help owners fix their own Mercedes. www.mercedessource.com
Can we lubricate to any degree of efficacy from inside the key way? By the way, SAAB engineers deemed steering locks potentially dangerous so they chose to lock the transmission in reverse (perhaps the only good choice they made!).
Believe me, it’s not fun trying to remove one that’s stuck took me hours to drill out. I will be definitely buying my replacement from you guys. 👍
Hello Kent, I just came across your channel only because we just flat-bedded my Mother’s 1985 Mercedes convertible 500SL to my house. The car has been in storage under cover for over ten years and I’m debating on if I should fix it. When the mechanic went to put the hard top on to transport it last week, it was a disaster. My mom use to pick me up from college in this car and now my son wants to drive it to prom next year…lol! . I truly wish I could find someone in my area as knowledgeable as you.
Your story is very common as these old SLs get passed on to the next generation. Unfortunately, most have often been in long storage and have not run. 3 years is not too bad, 5 years creates more problems, and 10 years you are looking at major work. The fuel injection system does not do well with long storage and old gasoline in the system. The brake system will be frozen and will need complete rebuilding. If you are willing to do the work and the car is clean and not rusty if could be worth it and would be a great project to do with your son. Finding a mechanic to try to fix it for you is tough. Not many out there really know how to work on these fuel systems. I have all the kits and parts you would need, with video instructions to get it back on the road. You would need a good workspace, a good floor jack and 2 jack stands, 4 car ramps and a good assortment of tools. It could get VERY expensive if you try to have the car repaired at a shop. Hope that helps, Kent
Good Evening Kent, Thank you so much for your very informative, detailed reply. The car is clean with no rust issues and low mileage. Everyone who use to work on the car is either out of business or passed away. I however am a housewife. I’m very handy and a quick learner, but definitely not a foreign car mechanic. I think I’m more sentimental about the car and just reflecting on days gone by. I will definitely consider your advice and now I know where I can get parts. Maybe it’s time I put down my spatula and pick up a floor jack..lol! Again, I appreciate your reply and will watch more of your videos and subscribe. Jacqueline M.
If anyone cares to listen, i’m telling you right now, if this applies to you and if you plan on keeping your Mercedes-purchase this assembly from Ken right away. It’s not a matter of if but when.
My 1998 SL500 steering lock broke, locked up of course the steering wheel. I was unbelievably fortunate. The car was in my garage when this happened. Wis/Asra procedures are to destroy the lock. I managed to drill a hole and remove the lock assembly and get it out (gut it) to temporally use assembly while I waited for the new part and I could drive my car.
I also changed my ignition switch since the whole assembly was out . Although my Key and Tumbler are working fine, I would much rather preemptively replace the Tumbler, so I don’t have to change all the locks on the car if it fails on me. Ken , if you have a recommendation for business that sells the tumbler and rekeying I would appreciate it if you post the company.
Thanks for your video.
Where is your mechanic shop?
Sorry, I do not have a shop open to the public. All my business is done online with kits and instructions to help owners fix their own Mercedes. www.mercedessource.com
Can we lubricate to any degree of efficacy from inside the key way?
By the way, SAAB engineers deemed steering locks potentially dangerous so they chose to lock the transmission in reverse (perhaps the only good choice they made!).
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