Much has transpired since my last post. As you may recall,
Johnny went into the shop to have the driveshaft balanced. Along the way, Simon, my trusted mechanic, discovered one of the half-shafts was worn beyond limits and that, my friends, is what is causing the clunking sound going into drive or reverse. Along the way, however, Simon also discovered the newly rebuilt transmission was leaking. Aruggh!
The plot thickens as during the discussion I found out the shop manager decided to send the transmission, not to the shop in Texas where I thought my original transmission would be rebuilt by a competent and reliable technician, but to a shop closer to home in New Jersey or some such place, to be rebuilt by a shop with a less Stirling reputation. Well, the result bit them in the ass, as was the transmission that came back wasn't only poorly done, but it wasn't the original. Okay, it had all the right numbers and date codes, so I could live with that, but not the leak.
Auto Haus contacted the shop in question and they recommended using something like JB Weld to stem the leak. My reaction was somewhat stronger than HELL NO!
The parts manager at Auto Haus then started looking for another transmission with the correct date codes, etc. but was initially unable to find one. He found transmissions that would fit, but not correct for the car. I told him that was not acceptable. They then contacted the shop that sent the rebuilt POS transmission and lo and behold they still had
Johnny's original transmission sitting on the shelf.
Long story short, they sent the POS transmission back and had the questionable shop rebuild
Johnny's original transmission, and in doing so they impressed upon the proprietor the essence of the car and the necessity of doing it right. Fingers crossed.
Unfortunately, during much of this time, Simon was back home in Austria enjoying his summer "holiday" as they call it across the pond, so most work stopped for about a month.
While in the shop I asked the parts manager to get their upholstery guy to come and take a look at a tear on the top of the back seat. This seemed to take forever and finally, after mentioning it to them for about the fifth time, and impressing upon then that the car is going down to Hilton Head for the Concours d'Elegance on the 1st of November, they got a hold of the upholster and got the job done.
I finally learned the car is now ready (as of yesterday), but the invoice from the upholstery shop has not arrived.
I have not seen
Johnny yet, but I'm sure he looks and runs just fine. Yes,
Johnny is going down to the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance, but not as a contender.
Johnny will be part of a group of 40 Mercedes-Benz automobiles on display courtesy of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA). In preparation,
Johnny is going over to my friend Eric's detail shop, Reflections Detailing, here in Williamsburg.
I'm looking forward to re-connect with
Johnny and the upcoming road trip as we haven't done a lot of driving together lately.
