I have 186,000 miles, should I have done a front end rebuild yet ?

[kamil]

Hey.

Just out of curiosity I was wondering if I need a front end rebuilt yet ? All the parts seem to be original but I'm not too sure about the shocks.....

What do you guys think ?

[kmaysob]

inspect it

[whunter]

is the fastest and safest way to be sure.
If they can't find a bad part, you have no problems.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by whunter

is the fastest and safest way to be sure.
If they can't find a bad part, you have no problems.

Yeah I'm sure the dealer will find no bad parts on a 20 year old car. Take off the wheels and inspect the front end, how do the bushings look? Is everything tight? Does it pull? Do the tires wear funny? If the shocks are original a new set probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

[P.E.Haiges]

Kamil,

My 300SD has 252,000 and I'm not about to rebuild the front suspension unless I find something that needs fixing.

Here's what I think: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

P E H

[whunter]

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Kamil,
My 300SD has 252,000 and I'm not about to rebuild the front suspension unless I find something that needs fixing.
Here's what I think: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
P E H

I agree.
If the stealership gives a clean report, forget it until you have steering issues.
The most you are out is the cost of an alignment, and you don't know when or if the PO had it aligned.
Take a couple of auto tech classes at your local high school or community college.
The investment will pay back big through the years.

[P.E.Haiges]

I took '80 300SD to stealer once for alignment and was charged $50 to tell me they couldn't align it. It needed some rubber bushings replaced. Cost $700.

So I refused their repair and did it myself. Couple of hours labor and $24 in parts. But I did have to buy a spring compressor ro reassemble it.

Then I tool it back to stealer for the alignment, another $50.

P E H

[kamil]

I feel like there is a little bit of steering play..... not major just a tad.
How can that be fixed ?

I know that I need an alignment for a fact since my steering wheel is WAY WAY off when i try to drive straight.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by kamil

I feel like there is a little bit of steering play..... not major just a tad.
How can that be fixed ?
I know that I need an alignment for a fact since my steering wheel is WAY WAY off when i try to drive straight.

If I was there, I could diagnose the issue.
Since I am not, find a local indy you can trust or take it to the stealership, for proper diagnosis only, then DIY the repairs.
You will probably save $700.00 - $1,400.00 doing it that way.

[engatwork]

I'd suggest trying to find a reputable alignment shop that knows these cars. If they can't align it they should be able to tell you what is worn out. Just change the worn out parts. A good alignment will center that wheel and a shop that is knowledgeable in these cars will know what they need to adjust to tighten up that steering.