SL/R230: 2009 SL550 Replacing Motor Mounts DIY
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2009 SL550, 2003 CLK430, 2014 E350 Wagon
2009 SL550 Replacing Motor Mounts DIY
Has anyone on the forum personally replaced the motor mounts on an SL550, not by taking to a service center? I have a quote from a dealer for $1400 and an independent for $1100. That seems like a lot to me. Is this job that difficult that they are charging $800-$1000 labor? Since the Lemfoerder parts can be purchased for under $200, is this something that I could do myself? I was a Honda Tech 20 + years ago and know how to turn wrenches 
I'm not opposed to spending the $$$ if it's that big a deal.
Thanks,
I'm not opposed to spending the $$$ if it's that big a deal.
Thanks,
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Are the quotes without the parts? I can't say for sure if for the 550 series is the same way as for SL500. For the 500 you just drop the exhaust and jack up the engine just enough to loosen up the mounts.
Now for the 600 V12TT it's a completely different story
But for the 550 - no clue...
P.S.
How many mounts? Which ones?
Now for the 600 V12TT it's a completely different story
But for the 550 - no clue...P.S.
How many mounts? Which ones?
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Looking at WIS, you have to remove the exhaust pipes and lift the engine (of course). The AC compressor has to be moved aside (just detached from its mount, no need to open the system) and the bracket for the PS/ABS tandem pump must be removed. Note that you do NOT support the engine on the oil pan as it will be damaged. It's best to lift from above, but if not, support the block and not the oil pan.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2009 SL550, 2003 CLK430, 2014 E350 Wagon
Are the quotes without the parts? I can't say for sure if for the 550 series is the same way as for SL500. For the 500 you just drop the exhaust and jack up the engine just enough to loosen up the mounts.
Now for the 600 V12TT it's a completely different story But for the 550 - no clue...
P.S.
How many mounts? Which ones?
Now for the 600 V12TT it's a completely different story
But for the 550 - no clue...P.S.
How many mounts? Which ones?
Last edited by sequelman; Apr 9, 2017 at 12:09 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
$1100 with parts doesn't sound that much to me, considering it's not one hour job + tools and everything else.But it is durable to DIY, per the instructions posted by Rudeney - a decent weekend project?
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Dropping the transmission for a torque converter or rear seal replacement is a "weekend project". Motor mounts are a "Thursday afternoon" project. It would be a "Friday afternoon" project, but that might get into "happy hour".
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Well, your weekends are definitely different than mine - i spent half day driving around city, trying to apply for US passport - still failed after all (lines were everywhere too big, they wouldn't accept more people in). Considering i finished my last car project a year ago, i might got enough rusty to consider the mounts as a weekend project
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2009 SL550, 2003 CLK430, 2014 E350 Wagon
Rudeney, thanks for your guidance, it's much appreciated.
Thanks to everyone else for your replies. I intend to keep this car for a long time so I would like to get a good repair manual, can somebody recommend one? I went to https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/...tedDocId=11498 but it says "Please see WIS-net for MY2007 or later". I looked on eBay and found several so walled WIS software for cheap but not sure if they are worth anything.
Thanks to everyone else for your replies. I intend to keep this car for a long time so I would like to get a good repair manual, can somebody recommend one? I went to https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/...tedDocId=11498 but it says "Please see WIS-net for MY2007 or later". I looked on eBay and found several so walled WIS software for cheap but not sure if they are worth anything.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
@Ghostty: That just reminds me - I think it's time to renew my passport! I do know that around here, the best strategy for getting a new passport is to go to our downtown post office during the week, in the morning. No one ever goes in there for anything except PO box access. The suburban PO's are packed. In fact, the one closest to me only does passports from 10am-3pm, with a break for lunch, and you have to make an appointment.
@Sequelman: Don't bother with Startekinfo - get WIS. Those on eBay are usually OK, just check feedback and ask questions. I noticed many of them say that an Internet connection is required - I'd like to know if that's just a one-time need for their licensing, or if they are doing something else (it should not be needed full time). BUT...if you intend to DIY work on your SL, you really need SDS. The best version to get is with a hardwired multiplexer with the built-in RS232-to-RS485 interface and the software on a "virtual" machine. This is the most flexible way to use it and the hardwired (vs. wifi connected) multiplexers seem to be less prone to failure. If you shop around, you can usually get it for around $350 (you supply the laptop) or for about $700, you can get a turnkey system with the laptop (Dell D630 or similar). Checkout mrcartool.com - that's where I bought my last unit.
@Sequelman: Don't bother with Startekinfo - get WIS. Those on eBay are usually OK, just check feedback and ask questions. I noticed many of them say that an Internet connection is required - I'd like to know if that's just a one-time need for their licensing, or if they are doing something else (it should not be needed full time). BUT...if you intend to DIY work on your SL, you really need SDS. The best version to get is with a hardwired multiplexer with the built-in RS232-to-RS485 interface and the software on a "virtual" machine. This is the most flexible way to use it and the hardwired (vs. wifi connected) multiplexers seem to be less prone to failure. If you shop around, you can usually get it for around $350 (you supply the laptop) or for about $700, you can get a turnkey system with the laptop (Dell D630 or similar). Checkout mrcartool.com - that's where I bought my last unit.
