Mine had no rubber left hardly holding the threaded sleeve.

A couple of things I might add is that the drivers side can move far enough toward the engine to remove it and the passenger side can go into the fender well far enough to get it off.

Count the threads for reassembly so that you get the new one roughly where the old one was.

I also used a floor jack to lift the steering knuckle while I was pulling mine and if you adjust the jack heighth slightly up and down it will change the position of the mounts enough to get the bolts for the mounts to line back up for reassembly. I also found it easier to screw the new guide rods all the way in to reassemble as it gives that little bit of extra room you need to get them back into place.

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'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique