Got my 82 300sd aligned at the dealer for the first time. It was $99.

Got in the car to go home and heard creaking in steering on front end. Went back to dealer. Very nice mechanic came back out and showed me what was going on.

The passenger side upper control arm jumped up and down when the wheel is turned. Can I lubricate somehow till I can get it fixed? He said an hour and half labor of $135. Can I do this repair myself or are there special tools?

He also said the creaking when stopping was the brake strut support joint on that same side. This is also the caster adjustment. He reccomended doing both sides of these at the same time since an alignment would be necessary

Any opinions?

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

So they still did the alignment even though some front end parts were bad and you would need another alignment? Did they call you and tell you that and give you the option of getting it fixed?

Len

No,
He didn't. I guess he should have. It would have been nice to wait, but seeing as I just put on four new tires, I didnt want them chewed up. The caster was off on one. That would have worn down the outside edge. He adjusted it and that's when the noise appeared.

I figure I can poke a small hole in that rubber boot and load it up with silicone or grease till I can get it fixed.

The control arm is the worst. It will not require another adjustment, but the other part will if replaced.

Two separate parts we are dealing with on the same side of the front end.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Will, you can change the upper control arm on the W126 yourself. It will have a new ball joint and you won't need a new alignment. The removal and reinstallation of the bolt is the most difficult chore, but, it won't take you more than 2 hours for the job.

The second problem is the guide rod bushings. They are more involved and can be difficult depending on how corroded they are.

I need some help with what parts to get. I know I need an upper control arm for the passenger side - Right side? It is the upper.
Febi $84.

Then I need two bushings. But I am confused to which bushings.
There are individual bushings and a bushing kit. Which one?

The other part he called a Brake Strut support joint that adjusts the caster.
I cannot seem to find one called the same on the parts here online. This is the one I need help with a name.

Thanks.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

You need the right side upper control arm. It will typically have the bushings already in place.

Normally, the joint that goes bad utilizes this kit:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1JU1236H41QV16G3PW&year=1982&make=MB&model=300-SD-002&category=L&part=Guide+Rod+Mount+Kit

However, it's difficult to diagnose via wire with certainty.

I've done that to CV joints, used a needle-type attachment that goes on the grease-gun to poke through the boot and put a small dab of RTV on the hole when finished. Put it in a thick part of the boot, not an area highly stressed or flexed.

Best grease would be a good moly grease like CV joint grease IMO.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI

I'm assuming it is pretty close to the same on a 123. Can the upper control arms be replaced without having to compress the spring?
Exactly what jobs require the springs to be compressed? (

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I believe so.

Yes, the upper arms are unloaded. They can be done without removing the spring.

The LCA bushings and the lower ball joint require spring removal.

In looking at the W126, I think you might have difficulty with the guide rod bushings if the spring remains in place due to the inability to get to the forward mounting point..........but..........I haven't done it.