Mercedes W108/109 Rust Prone area Check

A simple quick check of this area can give a good indication of the vehicles condition. There are of course other places to check when buying a W108 or 109 but this area is often overlooked and can hide some nasty surprises. It's also a good practice to clean this area out from time to time. Something I forgot to do:)

[@waltpartymiller6802]

Got a box of orange Nitrile disposable gloves (100 for $20.) (Astro-Grip/Large).Yes, hands do sweat under them, but they save skin damage & clean up.
They are reusable if not torn; dry out overnight.
Griot's Garage hand cleaner is the best, just takes a little dab to clean up a lot. Orange fragrance, expensive but lasts a long time.
My 280SE in the family since 1976, didn't know about that panel. Left side has a 2" hole in rocker below. Good video. Thanks, John.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

You're so right Walt. I do have the heavy black nitrile gloves. My mistake, I was so eager to get back to working on the car, I forgot. Thanks again Walt. Cheers John.

[@stevesmythe8556]

AAA does a free service call, connect cables to the battery and in a minute tell you if its the alt or batt. Love it. I think about it every 62 seconds i hear the clock tick :-)

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

On colour shades on these Mercedes Benzs, the 116 chassis came in a very nice olive green and several shades of silver. I am not sure of the 108/09 chassis colours, but I would imagine they were nearly the same colours of the 116. The silver shades go back to the 1950's, in the gullwing and the race cars. I am no expert, just my observations of these beautifull cars which were abundant in Dubai, UAE. Cheers!

[@ibast1]

good tip for the new guys to the model. Maybe you should do an extended version that looks at the bottom of the doors, the jack points and boot wells.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Good Idea. Appreciate the feedback. Cheers John.

[@stevesmythe8556]

I hope you make a video of the grease points! I want to do my current and wanted to do my past W108.

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

I did one on the front subframe inspection and spoke about the zerk fitting and lubrication. I will shoot another more detailed one in the future. My buddy James wants me to help him do his w113 230sl. Much the same.
Cheers John

[@morganjoe1]

Nice to see you back at it again! We’ve had some hot days here in California, haven’t we?

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

We certainly have. Now of course we have a fire not to far away:( Threw the battery back on and moved the 280 to a clearing.