identifying suspension part
 

For a few hours I have been trying to find a picture to go along with this post with no luck. I have a 1982 300sd that has some suspension problems.When I look directly behind the front tires in plain view are two round things(4 in total) they are about 4 inches in diameter and have a rubber bushing.They don't look to be attached to the suspension so much as to be attached to the thin and wide piece of metal that appears to guard the transmission pan.Can anyone tell me what these are for ?

It sounds like you're talking about the guide rod. If it attached to the lower control arm in the fron and the frame in the rear, then that's what it is. The guide rod is where adjustments to the front wheel castor (sp?) are made. If the front wheel is able to roll forward or backward independently of the body then you nned new guide rod bushings.

What i'm talking about isn't a rod or attached to a rod at all. It's about the size of a big mac and from what it looks like it's attached to the frame just behind the front tires.If I were to use a big mac as a model to illustrate it I would say the area where the meat patty would be on it had some sort of rubber shoch absorber that is about 4 inchs in diameter and about 1 inch in height. looking under the car it's right out in the open and in line with the rails where you would lift the car if you were doing an oil change.

The reason i'm asking is because i can feel something tapping in the front drivers side on the floor and when i look at the part described the rubber piece is torn and falling apart.

Look at thread I started, both pages "Violent front end shaking, 55 mph +, 82 300SD". It is on first page of Diesel discussion threads today. All of the guys have posted very useful info regarding the guide rod or as MBZ calls it "Braking support link and ball joint".

Hmm, that's a real head scratcher. I think my 123 has a round body seal or something to the rear of the inner fender, if I recall, but that has nothing to do with suspension. Could you be mistaking a seal for a bushing? I don't suppose you are able to take a picture. It sure sounds like you're talking about the guide rod mount, except for the lack of a guide rod. I can't think of anything else that matches your description and is visible without getting under the car.

my mistake
 

Your right , on the inside of the part i'm talking about there is a rod attached.Actually the rod is attached to some other piece thats attached to my mystery part. So now that we know that what is the rubber piece thats torn called?

Is this the part:
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1KP0H7YR81WM0PTNUS&year=1985&make=MB&model=300-SD-002&category=L&part=Suspension+Brng+Brkt

If it's not then go to the "Buy parts" section and try to find what your talking about.

Danny

unfortunatly at that price yes it is. Do you know if you can replace those rubber pieces?

By chance could this part being worn cause the car to waunder on the road?

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1KP0H7YR81WM0T5RHU&year=1982&make=MB&model=300-SD-002&category=L&part=Bearing+Bracket+Bushing

I'm not looking up any more parts. There's no reason you can't do this for yourself.

Thanks for the info
 

I appreciate the help,the terminology of these parts make it very difficult to figure out what is what, the two parts you sent a link to after all don't have any part names in common.
Thanks again.

Guide rod part pic
 

here is the kit you need to properly repair that rod joint/mount

also......You'll need one for each side, unless you plan on doing one at a time.

This kit is for the end that connects to lower control arm.. again one for each side.


By the way, here is a spec sheet and info from MBZ svc manual and link to Main page for other info if ya need it.

http://mb.braingears.com/126_DISC1/program/Chassis/33-540.pdf


http://mb.braingears.com

There are two bolts that go through the center of the bearing bracket bushing, is removal just simply to remove those two bolt and slide the bracket off or is it much more involved?I don't want to just remove them and screw something up.