Well I'm coming along with the suspension rebuild on the 82 300TD. I am replacing the following
Upper control arm
Sway bar mount bushings
Sway bar/upper control arm bushings
Coil Springs
Lower Control arm bushings and ball joints
Track rod mount
Guide rod mount
Wheel bearings and races
Calipers
Rotors and pads
Brake hoses
Tie rod assemblies
Center drag link
Steering shock
Rebuild the Idle arm

I will also rebuild all the rubber in the rear suspension.

Trailing arm bushings
Sub frame mount bushings
Brake hoses
Differential mount
(calipers and rotors are realtively new)
(axels are fine and are giving me no problems)

The left front was the learning side for me. I rebuilt a 65 Mustang from the ground up so the Mercedes is actually being easier to work on. And the engineering is much better.

I did purchase the Sir Tool M0070 Coil Spring Compressor. It is well worth it. If your going to remove the coil springs on the Mercedes I recommend that you buy it or rent it. I used a cheapo compressor on the Mustang and it never bothered me. However the amount that you have to compress the Mercedes springs is tremendous. Again I highly recommend that you get or rent the proper coil spring compressor.
To compress the spring I had to include all the visible coils. Nine coils in total.

None of the bolts are nuts were difficult to remove. Unlike the Mustang. All the pieces of the suspension came off the car easily. All the pieces cleaned up rather well. The left lower control arm required some honing inside the mount bushing hole. It is still pitted a little but will do. Maybe the bushing will only last 1/2 as long. 11 years instead of 22.

The front left went together quickly and I have everthing ready for the right. It should be done tomorow. Then I get to attack the rear suspension.

I have attached a picture of the left front with all new components and the right with everthing removed.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car