Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Doctor Gollum on 06 May 2018, 09:55:37

Title: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 May 2018, 09:55:37
What is the book time, and can it realistically be done on a driveway :-\

I appreciate that doing it on the drive will be at least double book time, but it does give an idea of labour costs.

Car is a '52 A160. Clutch itself is fine, but the slave cylinder has failed... Pedal on the floor and fluid pissing out from bottom of the bell housing being a pretty unambiguous verdict.

Also, any mileage in changing the clutch master cylinder at  the same time? Obviously changing the clutch is a no brainer given as it's officially an engine out job...
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: dave the builder on 06 May 2018, 11:07:34
Tolerance data says 7.25 Hour to remove box or 7.58 to replace  bearing ,
guess they don'y allow much time to clean parts / stuff up  ;D
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Nick W on 06 May 2018, 11:35:06
What is the book time, and can it realistically be done on a driveway :-\

I appreciate that doing it on the drive will be at least double book time, but it does give an idea of labour costs.




You must be some sort of masochist. The sort whose videos aren't even allowed on the internet :o
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: dave the builder on 06 May 2018, 11:44:38

You must be some sort of masochist. The sort whose videos aren't even allowed on the internet :o

dirty filth with photo's (http://)  :o  ::)

better a driveway than a live lane of a dual carriageway  :y
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Andy B on 06 May 2018, 12:14:22
Tolerance data says 7.25 Hour to remove box or 7.58 to replace  bearing ,
guess they don'y allow much time to clean parts / stuff up  ;D

Wow!  :o That'd be one hell of a bill if Merc did the job.

P.S. What's the time given for a starter on  Smart Roadster (with a/c) ..... it took me about 5 hours to remove & the same(ish) to refit ...... what a t**t of a job
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: dave the builder on 06 May 2018, 12:50:57
P.S. What's the time given for a starter on  Smart Roadster (with a/c) ..... it took me about 5 hours to remove & the same(ish) to refit ...... what a t**t of a job
I bit niche for my  software and i know very little about compact cars  :P
info on the "fourtwo" smart 599cc item says 1.5 hours , which is of no help  :D

Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Andy B on 06 May 2018, 14:06:06
P.S. What's the time given for a starter on  Smart Roadster (with a/c) ..... it took me about 5 hours to remove & the same(ish) to refit ...... what a t**t of a job
I bit niche for my  software and i know very little about compact cars  :P
info on the "fourtwo" smart 599cc item says 1.5 hours , which is of no help  :D

That's basically the same engine ..... I'd defy anyone to do it in 1.5 hrs though.
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: STEMO on 06 May 2018, 15:43:02
I shouldn't imagine there's too much room in there.
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: dave the builder on 06 May 2018, 15:50:28
maybe it's 3 men for 1.5 hours
1 to hold the car up in the air
1 to do the spannering
1 to pass the tools,make the coffee etc
that works out at about 5 hours  :y
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 May 2018, 16:23:40
What is the book time, and can it realistically be done on a driveway :-\

I appreciate that doing it on the drive will be at least double book time, but it does give an idea of labour costs.




You must be some sort of masochist. The sort whose videos aren't even allowed on the internet :o
That wasn't a no :D

Thinking summat along the lines of remove struts/rack/driveshafts, support engine, drop subframe, lower engine and pull box...

Obviously a few detail points in those steps...  ::)
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Andy B on 06 May 2018, 17:12:00
I shouldn't imagine there's too much room in there.

None at all ..... Not that I want to hijack Dr Golloms thread  :-[
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Andy B on 06 May 2018, 17:13:54
maybe it's 3 men for 1.5 hours
1 to hold the car up in the air
1 to do the spannering
1 to pass the tools,make the coffee etc
that works out at about 5 hours  :y

 ;D ;D You need to drive one to appreciate how good they are to drive ..... point it into a corner & it'll just go round it.  :y
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 May 2018, 17:14:14
They're related products, I can't even see my starter motor, let alone touch it with anything bigger than string ::)
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 May 2018, 17:15:40
maybe it's 3 men for 1.5 hours
1 to hold the car up in the air
1 to do the spannering
1 to pass the tools,make the coffee etc
that works out at about 5 hours  :y

 ;D ;D You need to drive one to appreciate how good they are to drive ..... point it into a corner & it'll just go round it.  :y
Inspite of its reputation, the A Class is actually rather fun  too :y
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Andy B on 06 May 2018, 17:19:34
They're related products, I can't even see my starter motor, let alone touch it with anything bigger than string ::)

Now there's a shiney new starter fitted that has a nice clean white sticker on it, I can just about see it looking from the top of the engine bay.  ;D If you think changing 6 plugs on an Omega is fun, try changing a Roadsters 6 plugs ...... all the rear panels need to come off to reach the rear most plugs.  ???
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 06 May 2018, 17:40:22
Yet more legendary German engineering.  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: TheBoy on 06 May 2018, 18:42:04
They're related products, I can't even see my starter motor, let alone touch it with anything bigger than string ::)

Now there's a shiney new starter fitted that has a nice clean white sticker on it, I can just about see it looking from the top of the engine bay.  ;D If you think changing 6 plugs on an Omega is fun, try changing a Roadsters 6 plugs ...... all the rear panels need to come off to reach the rear most plugs.  ???

The early A class was officially and engine out job to change the plugs (but is doable without).  Somebody at MB needs shooting, but all the designers already left before the A class was even conceived, and engineering design handed over to the local nursery
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Nick W on 06 May 2018, 18:49:17

You must be some sort of masochist. The sort whose videos aren't even allowed on the internet :o
That wasn't a no :D

Thinking summat along the lines of remove struts/rack/driveshafts, support engine, drop subframe, lower engine and pull box...

Obviously a few detail points in those steps...  ::)


If you don't think that was a no, then do the job and get back to me.


The last time my mother's Focus needed a clutch(she's old and incompetent; every 20k miles max) she asked me if I would do it. I would want more to do it than any garage would charge, which is probably true of any FWD car where the subframe needs to be removed/shifted.


I doubt I would do an Omega clutch in the street either; I'm too old for that sort of shit job.
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 May 2018, 19:49:01
 ;D

I know exactly where you're coming from...

Incidentally the clutch most definitely wasn't what I had in mind in my PM... That was a variation on the welding theme ;)
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 May 2018, 08:08:09
They're related products, I can't even see my starter motor, let alone touch it with anything bigger than string ::)

Now there's a shiney new starter fitted that has a nice clean white sticker on it, I can just about see it looking from the top of the engine bay.  ;D If you think changing 6 plugs on an Omega is fun, try changing a Roadsters 6 plugs ...... all the rear panels need to come off to reach the rear most plugs.  ???

The early A class was officially and engine out job to change the plugs (but is doable without).  Somebody at MB needs shooting, but all the designers already left before the A class was even conceived, and engineering design handed over to the local nursery
Credit where it's due, it's a packaging masterpiece. I would wager that the rear legroom puts even an XJ to shame...

Unfortunately this does introduce a level of compromise when it comes to servicing work... Wipers need removing to change the pollen filter for example. I have yet to fix d the spark plugs, but I suspect that they will become visible when I remove the air box to investigate the clutch... It is as likely to be a failed pipe as cylinder.
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 May 2018, 09:06:27
Quote
... it is as likely to be a failed pipe as cylinder.

 ;D ;D ;D what was I thinking...
Whilst the back of the gearbox is damp, the pipe and associated rubber hose are, of course, bone dry... So the box has to come off ::)

Which means a coolant change, brake fluid change, gearbox oil change and aircon regas...

Might as well get the aux belt and tensioner done whilst the engine is out :D
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: TheBoy on 07 May 2018, 09:24:03
it's a packaging masterpiece typical post 1990 MB slap-dash, throw some bits together randomly without considering the consequences, design

FTFY
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 May 2018, 09:27:51
it's a packaging masterpiece typical post 1990 MB slap-dash, throw some bits together randomly without considering the consequences, design

FTFY
Can't much argue with that...  ;D
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: serek on 11 May 2018, 22:39:43
They not that bad to do if I'm honest.  Just time taking
Well on lift . On floor this another story
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 12 May 2018, 09:44:43
They not that bad to do if I'm honest.  Just time taking
Well on lift . On floor this another story
It's all the dismantling that takes the time
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 May 2018, 17:23:09
Mr Clutch have volunteered for this dubious honour...

The lucky, lucky people  :D
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Andy B on 14 May 2018, 18:43:28
Mr Clutch have volunteered for this dubious honour...

The lucky, lucky people  :D

Dare we ask how much?  ???
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 May 2018, 18:46:47
Mr Clutch have volunteered for this dubious honour...

The lucky, lucky people  :D

Dare we ask how much?  ???
Less than a diesel Mundeo dmf :-X
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: TheBoy on 14 May 2018, 18:48:09
Mr Clutch have volunteered for this dubious honour...

The lucky, lucky people  :D

Dare we ask how much?  ???
I suspect more than I would pay to keep an A class running.
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 May 2018, 18:54:53
Mr Clutch have volunteered for this dubious honour...

The lucky, lucky people  :D

Dare we ask how much?  ???
I suspect more than I would pay to keep an A class running.
Spending the equivalent amount on another car would have been more of a gamble...

If it lasts 6 months, the savings on fuel/tax/insurance will cover it. And having it done means not having to worry about it  ;)
Title: Re: Mercedes A Class clutch change...
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 17 May 2018, 10:49:47
Transpires that the clutch had previously been replaced but the slave was original. But perhaps more significant was the fact that the plastic pin that connects the clutch pedal to the master has been worn away to a fraction of it's original dimensions which had caused the pedal to not return fully up for a period of time, meaning that the slave and release bearing were never quite relaxed... Which in turn led it to wear excessively before finally letting go.

Temporary fix has been to fit a suitable bolt, but it will require a new pedal and pin at some point.

Still all done, and back in service.