Dismantling, defect detection and parts list

During the course of dismantling the assembly parts and the body, complex rather than visual detection of body part defects was carried out and in the process decisions were made on the methods to be applied and the scope of restoration jobs. Car electrics - during the course of the dismantling process, wires, switches, relays and other parts were carefully photographed and labelled in order to record their initial condition precisely so that it will later be possible to install the electric system in the renovated car as specified. 

The following parts of the body of MERCEDES-BENZ 300d were dismantled: door window opening mechanisms, the doors themselves, interior partition walls, front and rear window frames, seats and old interior upholstery, as well as radiator grill, bumpers, and also the outer and inner sections of the front wings. Afterwards, the rear wings were removed and the baggage compartment upholstery was removed. 

After removing the upholstery from the baggage compartment, significant corrosion damage was visible on the right hand side in the spare wheel storage "pocket" and on the left side under the soft trimming.
After the performance of the aforementioned jobs, the body was separated from the chassis, not forgetting to record the placement and number of intermediate pads.

All remaining removable parts were dismantled and residual electrical devices were dismantled from the body. The next stage involved dismantling the engine and gearbox, as well as the separation of the rear suspension from its load bearing frame. After the removal of the engine and gearbox, each aggregate was minutely taken apart and the parts were subjected to a detailed inspection and defect detection. The ignition system was removed from the engine along with the fuel supply, cooling and lubrication system units. This process was followed by the dismantling of the output and input receptacles, cylinder block heads and valve distribution mechanisms. Finally, the engine unit was taken apart - carter, flywheel, pistons with connecting rods and crankshaft. All engine parts were carefully cleaned to remove oil sediment and burnt parts, and were carefully inspected for defects.

In carrying out the inspection of dismantled parts and units, it became evident that some parts were irreparably damaged and they were immediately ordered together with the missing parts from the car's original configuration. In assessing the condition of the recently (given the age of our "Adenauer") replaced petrol tank which was unfortunately seriously damaged during the car's transportation, we concluded that virtually all of the tank's surfaces were damaged and that their restoration would serve no practical purpose. Therefore, we decided to order a new petrol tank.

In addition to the tank, the initial order of new assembly parts, also included:

• Window cleaner regulator;
• Bumpers;
• Mouldings (4 units);
• Spare wheel disc;
• Speedometer;
• Air filter;
• Decorative wheel discs;
• Ventilation pane holder;
• Decorative radiator grills.

To continue restoration course of Mercedes-Benz 300d we received from the owner disassembled parts mostly packed in the boxes.

Parts were packed in the boxes randomly, so first we had to find out which parts are present and which are missing.

Unfortunately, during storage body paintwork was damaged.

Received parts were unloaded from the boxes and inspection was carried out.

For further works, all received parts were sorted according to function groups.

All accessed parts were stored until further restoration works.

For technical inspection we disassembled rear axle.

Bearings of the running gear were damaged.

Seals and gaskets of the running gear were aged and damaged.

For technical inspection, we disassembled brakes.

Destroyed parts were put on spare parts list, but repairable components were moved to cleaning and repair.

All elastic components of the suspension were aged and damaged.

Font wheel hubs were disassembled for detailed inspection.

Gearbox was brought up for inspection.

Oil hose was damaged so we entered it on the parts list.

For detailed gearbox inspection, we removed cover with control mechanism.

Transmission gears and synchronizers were in acceptable technical condition.

Gearbox control mechanism was disassembled for detailed inspection.

Starter motor was disassembled for inspection.

Engine was received in disassembled condition and some important components were rusty.

To start engine restoration all engine components were inspected in detail.