hello,

i've recently acquired a 1975 164e, and have some questions:

my local shop recommends replacement of both "steering link rods". are these the same parts that i may know as being called "lower control arms"?

they also recommend repacking front wheel bearings, at $75 each. is there any reason i should do this over purchasing new kits from ipd at $56 each? the kits from ipd include inner & outer bearings, seals, retainer and cotter pin... my local shop is extremely knowledgable when it comes to motors & electrical, but they don't do suspension work - - seems to me i'm much better off with the ipd kits, unless someone has input stating otherwise.

i've got some seepage of power steering fluid at the unit, and the hoses seem to be too short (extreme angles and pinching at the coupling), perhaps indicating the hoses were replaced with non-stock (ie: made by a radiator shop or something). what might be causing the seepage at the unit? can i get stock replacement hoses, or am i looking at a custom job? i know they can be expensive for such short little buggers...

also, can anyone recommend a good set of plug wires? in my searches the prices i've seen were $75 - $100, which seems excessive, but i am committed to doing it right as opposed to cutting corners and dollars.

re: clutch, the car used to have a lot of "bite", ie: i'd put it in gear and would only need to release the clutch a bit before i was rocketing along. now, i've got to rev it much higher and let the pedal almost completely out before the car begins to even move. also, i'll hit the gas while the car is in gear and it revs but there is no appreciable speed increase. so, am i looking at a new clutch? i had the cable adjusted, to no avail. maybe the friction surfaces worn, or no longer friction-y? or, can an adjustment be made to the release bearing / spring finger clearance?


i've had her for 4 months now and have been quite happy. only repairs have been replacement of the exhaust system, and new alternator / volt reg. i'm getting her up-to-par mechanically, then to work on the paint and upholstery etc.

on that note - rebuilding the hand-cranked sunroof mechanisms - has anyone done this? is there a kit for the crank mech (i assume it's some kind of simple clutch-type assembly). is it difficult? right now it still sort of opens and closes, with manual help from me, but i can tell it's getting ready to crap out...

i'd also like to find a good source for body seal rubber etc - door / window rubber, sunroof, and so on. i took it thru an automatic car wash and hot soapy water sprayed all over the interior thru every nook & cranny and i got quite drenched - you can imagine my dismay! it was actually kind of funny afterwards. anyway, any suggested outlets for replacement rubber?

ok, sorry for so many questions - thanks to all - this is a great resource!

-daniel langdon jones
portland, or, usa