When I just had my mufflers changed they removed a flat bar about 3/8" thick, 1.25" wide and 3' long from the drivers side rear to make their job easier but they "tossed" the part! I don't know the name of this part but would say it stiffens the unibody chassis. It runs from the outer edge from where the jack would go on the side in front of the wheel and runs back and in towards the tunnel for the driveshaft. there is one per side. They would form a "VEE" if extended, they do NOT run parallel with the body, front to back. More front to to back while going towards the center the further back it goes. I need a number to get a price or so this shop can source one of these bars and mine were without rust. Anyone help? Thanks, mark

 

I THINK those are only on the Roadsters to stiffen the body. If so that will make it harder to locate. The Torx bolts that hold them on have some serious Loctite on them.

 

This is what you mean. Is it possible to look at the one that remains and read the part number on it, They are probably the same item, you should be able to check that fact. All these parts have the part number on them, it will be a Mercedes number even if it was made specifically for the Crossfire as they may want to use it on another car one day.

 

Here's a thought.
Go to car-part.com and choose 2002 Mercedes SLK, choose a common part and then state=florida.
You'll get a list of yards to call and see if they have your brace.

 

Thanks guys. I got the part number, A1705240147. $160. used on ebay but the muffler guys got lazy and removed the brace, tossed it and made the pipe going to the muffler take space the brace would have as they did not want to go over it. they will make a brace to go over the pipe I am assuming but have not addressed it with them yet. that would make me happy. It is priced crazy like most MB parts are. Thanks, mark

 

Sounds like they bought a $160 brace. Car would be unsafe otherwise. (wink wink).

 

Mark is driving a MB, SLK32 so of course it will have a Merc part#.

 

I guess so.

 

You have a good smile!

 

Either I will eat the $160. or I will have a custom brace made to work with the muffler/pipe they did the sloppy way. Apparently he is one of those people I read about in this book I have about those that put money ahead of everything in this life. I find it distasteful. The car drives as it always did and they said they would "build" a replacement. Whether I want to go back there is another thing. Funny how I am being treated like I did something wrong! Work was done without paperwork. I was referred to this guy and he us a car guy himself but he has that darn money disease. The car does pull noticeably harder. I'll check with him on Monday.

 

Why eat it? Stick it up his you know what.

 

SWEET2002 Checkout "the Market Place" on this forum. The SRT may have the part you are looking for; send him a message

 

Two issues. First the stock piece will not fit with the new muffler and the 3" pipe it is attached to, that is why they removed it fr to start with. I overheard him tell an underling that part had to come off. The next morning I looked under the car and of course it was not there nor could it fit. I think he can fab a piece to go under the pipe and function decently. So even if he found the part this weekend he could not put it back on. I should not have been so trusting. I'll have another shop make a brace to fit as is now if I have to. The book I referred to reading about folks like this guy is called The Holy Bible. I used to idolize my cars and when the SC does not work for whatever reason I don't care for the SLK so I still enjoy a car with some power. The exhaust I chose worked and I am surprised I can actually feel it. This is with the rear cats being gutted already or so it seems. I doubt I will use anything of the stock parts but the stock AMG muffler tips and that muffler and resonator are HEAVY! Just think of times you don't have your health. The car loses it's appeal then so I try for what has true meaning and those things cannot be bought. Mark

 

Nothing gets me going like shoddy customer service does...

Did you pay with a credit card by chance? Dispute the charges. All it takes is one phone call to the card co. to start the process. Odds are you will recover 100% of the charges.

Your state Attorney General office can take a report of the shoddy work. This stays on the public record for all to see the type of work the shop did.

 

It was cash, I trusted him, my mistake and I will pay. I have to say the exhaust I chose is killer. I'll talk to the guy Monday.