Mercedes Benz 190SL w121 1958 - Restoration process / 2026-04-29

The technical Mercedes Benz 190SL restoration at Riga Master Workshop has progressed to the comprehensive refurbishment and integration of the vehicle's directional control components. This week’s report documents the intricate stages of the steering system restoration and assembling phase.The process began with the systematic dismantling of the original steering linkages, which exhibited significant wear and accumulated debris from decades of operation. Following thorough chemical cleaning and structural inspection, our technicians applied a high-durability black protective finish to all primary steel components.The technical photographs detail the reassembly of the steering knuckles and the installation of new, period-correct bronze and rubber bushings within the pivot housings to restore original tactile feedback. We successfully integrated the restored idler arm assembly and mounted the central drag link to the chassis crossmember. Precision was paramount during the installation of the tie-rod ends and the steering damper, ensuring that the system operates within factory-specified tolerances for geometric alignment.As part of the holistic sub-assembly process, we also refurbished the universal joints and specialized internal fasteners, cataloging every circlip and shim to ensure a medically clean reassembly. These completed works stabilize the vehicle’s front-end dynamics, providing the essential foundation for safe and accurate handling once the car returns to the road.Detailed restoration progress and additional reassembly photographs are available on the Riga Master Workshop website: https://www.rmw.lv/page/en/mercedes-benz-190sl-w121-1958-restoration-process-bodywork-repair-and-painting/#190sl #w121 #RMW