W124 MOT Failure - your advice needed on cost to fix...

[IMD]

Hi all,

My father has a 1995 E200 W124 estate and its just failed its MOT on the following points.

I'm keen for him to keep the car and my questions are:

1) How much the following would cost in parts alone (GSF, Europarts etc)

2) Which ones could I could replace myself (with minimum but enthusiatic mechanical knowledge!)

3) Roughly how much to get it all done at an Independent?

Your advice would be appreciated.


[FONT=&quot]Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a) **DANGEROUS** [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Offside Front Coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a) **DANGEROUS**[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized (3.6.F.3) *DANGEROUS**[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.2b)[/FONT]

Thanks guys

Ian

 

[IMD]

Blimey...I didn't know I'd get the type of advice above! Is the site now being spammed!

So back to my original question! Can anyone help?

Cheers

Ian

 

[Spinal]

[FONT=&quot]Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a) **DANGEROUS** [/FONT]Ian

Can't comment on the others, but balljoints are a fairly easy/cheap bit. Going by independent/aftermarket(OEM spec) prices:
Parts:
£26/£30 for a ball joint

Labour:
30/40 minutes of labour

So - depending on your garages costs, this can cost anything from £50 to £150 (MB still charge £195 per hour for labour, right?)

I'm sure someone else can advise regarding the others..

M.

 

[IMD]

Thanks for that...anyone else got some idea on the other bits?

 

[Ian B Walker]

[FONT=&quot]Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a) **DANGEROUS**
[/FONT]total cost including parts £75
[FONT=&quot]
Offside Front Coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a) **DANGEROUS**[/FONT] Mercedes Specific and should be fitted as pairs, total cost inc parts £197

[FONT=&quot]Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized (3.6.F.3) *DANGEROUS**[/FONT]Thinks he means the self levelling valve. TBA

[FONT=&quot]Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)[/FONT]£30 each side inc parts
[FONT=&quot]Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.2b)Not sure but could be lambda sensor or cat breaking down
[/FONT]

 

[IMD]

Useful info Ian..pity you're up North!

 

[IMD]

[FONT=&quot]Has anyone else got any thoughts on what the 'Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage' is?[/FONT]

 

[jaymanek]

I think thats just the little rod that moves as the car changes level... very simple to replace and not expensive IIRC.

 

[IMD]

Thanks Jay.

Well it looks like the car is worth saving...Full service history...pretty good condition all round and 115000 on the clock...bring on another good few years of service!

 

[coupe deville]

Useful info Ian..pity you're up North!

Have a few days break in sunny Blackpool !
remember to budget for the bouncers charging £1 to go in the pubs

[ sorry Ian I know you're busy ]

 

[Dieselman]

[FONT=&quot]Has anyone else got any thoughts on what the 'Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage' is?[/FONT]

I thought it was siezed.

[FONT=&quot]Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized (3.6.F.3) *DANGEROUS**[/FONT]

Just lube it, work it free and grease up.

 

[Will]

To be honest, if you've got a failure on one ball joint, you should really consider doing the pair.

The part is cheap (£13), but fitting won't be due to the need to remove the wishbone from the car in most cases (unless you've got the correct tool).

Rough costs parts wise for that lot:

Ball joints 2x £13 (genuine MB)

Brake hoses 2x £7 pattern part, (genuine MB probably £30 each?)

Springs (again, do in pairs) - maybe £30 (each) for pattern part, £40-50 genuine MB (they'll supply the correct spring for engine/gearbox/optional equipment etc unlike 3rd party suppliers)

Other points would need proper diagnosis - emmissions could be a few things I guess - when was it last serviced?

Labour is what will add up on this, probably only £100 or so in parts to get it MOT'd but most garages in the south will charge £40-70 an hour for labour, obviously MB are well over £100/hour (£140, £150?)

Will

 

[nick mercedes]

Blimey...I didn't know I'd get the type of advice above! Is the site now being spammed!

So back to my original question! Can anyone help?

Cheers

Ian

Nip down the coast and pay Ollie a visit, I'm sure he can sort it all out for you.