Facepalm... I'd rather not talk about it. It still hurts, haha.
Never again...

Thanks for the love, man.

That sucks. They'd be buying me some new wheels after that.

I am SO excited to show you guys what I've been up to! Just have to get a bunch of video content out first.
This is far from over!

Hell yes

A few observations after that last video:

1. Was that your dad helping with the repairs? I like his attention to detail while fixing the license plate. Awesome craftsman!
2. I like the rivets in silver. Celebrate those battle scars!
3. You have the patience and restraint of a saint (re: the wheels!)

Yup, that's my dad. He did the long leg of the return trip (via Florida keys, Texas, San Diego and up the West Coast again with me, then flew home.

Right? Not the worst. ​​​​​​

I do not, you haven't seen me with this differential project. But I try. Some days I'm better than others.

When I was younger I would get really hot headed and short tempered. (Did you know that anger issues are linked directly to cynicism?!)
I'm glad I grew up and re-adjusted my worldview. But it took me a very painful split with a partner to finally figure how to live my life.

Thank you for the kind words.

that tire fitter would be sh*tting out of a new orifice if it was my car

Glad you're getting the car together and overcoming obstacles.

FWIW, if this had occurred in the San Antonio area, I would have volunteered to be there with you late at night disassembling/reassembling the differential.

Thanks for the love! This was a little while ago, I'm just catching up on releasing the footage. Once I get through this, I'll be able to show you what I've really been up to.

Looking forward to some proper pics of the car in it's new livery

Engine (and Transmission) Mounts

ECE (East Coast Euro) have been very kind and sent over a set of prototype (?) mount inserts that are even softer than the logo-stamped '60 polyurethane hardness rating' inserts.
For reference, ECE offer the 60 and 80 rating inserts. 60 being designed for street and 80 a more race/drag oriented setup.

So what I have now is even more plush and I must say, this would be my defacto recommendation for anyone running primarily street on their M113. I'm hoping ECE make these available for everyone sooner than later.

The mounts themselves are a solid product (c wut i did thar). The billet aluminum machining is top notch, fit is perfect.
The design itself is very clever: each set of 6 cylindrical deflection pieces orienting the core radially and the fact that there are 2 of them, providing axial orientation for a center sandwich plate.

The 6 bolts take seconds to undo and the entire set can be swapped in a matter of minutes. As always, dropping and swapping engine mounts is easiest done on these cars by undoing the 2x large steering rack locating bolts on the underside.
In my humble amateur machinist opinion, I would offer a non-anodized unfinished silver version.


The Wavetrac HAG215 Helical LSD

Notice, this is an evolution of the classical helical LSD design that has an additional device to stop the zero-load condition.
Passed shakedown with flying colors today, TT style. I haven't drifted this setup yet, but I have a good feeling about it.


Couple more videos coming and then posting a bunch of photos, stay with me guys!

Awesome! I have the ECE motor mounts with the 60A and I only notice a small amount of vibration at idle. The vehicle puts power down much more reliably and predictably now.

I'm working to get through some of the trip footage and then it will be new footage season.
Do you guys have any questions or interesting topics or other videos ideas you'd like me to address?
I'm open to suggestions. I enjoy this, it's a hobby from way ago.

Haha, my old thing just got posted up the homepage: https://mbworld.org/articles/mercede...g-matte-black/

That’s great! Glad your car got recognized.
Keep your vids coming. I enjoy them.

I just took a little over a week off to go to the desert and party with my friends. Came back and getting back into the flow of things, I'll have something to post up soon.

Remember the ****ty tire mounter and the ruined rim? That story isn't over. I was doing shakedown last night and lost PSI in that tire. No nails or punctures, but the inside of it swelled in a spot around the bead.

He probably tore the bead and sent me driving 5000+ miles across country like that waiting for a blowout.

I'm guessing you rolled right through my home town, Fernley, on your trip?

Yup

The frontpage love motivates! Wrapping up the next video cut, uploading tomorrow.