w126 front guide rod bushing install (?) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rbardolv · #1 05-16-2007, 08:42 PM

Hey Gurus,

Well I got my new front guide rud bushing kits in the post the other day. After taking a look at things once more I have a few questions.

1. Could this new guide rod bushing install negatively affect the alignment?

2. What is the best disassembly method?

3. What is the best assembly method?

4. ANyone have torque settings for any of the bolts under there?

Thanks!

rbardolv · #2 05-16-2007, 11:28 PM

Ok I'll settle for just an anser to the last question...

crashone · #3 05-17-2007, 08:22 PM

1) I don't think so you arn't changing any of the geometry so to say.
2) To do the job completely you should remove the spring so you can remove the spring perch so you can change out the front bushing on the lower control arm.
3) reassembly is reverse of dissassembly

.
4) look in the haynes manual under front suspension.

Did you get the front subframe bushings that mount in the guide rod mount assembly? Now would be the time to change them. Good luck.

gavinbr · #4 05-17-2007, 09:49 PM

Hello,

I just did mine.

This is not an easy job!
There is a procedure on this website on how to replace the guide rods. Its confusing though, they seem to miss out a piece.

Before you remove anything count the number of threads on each side.
For extra measure I painted my thread with white paint, so I new how far to screw on the new ones.

The easiest method is to remove the springs.

However, I did it without, not easy though. I removed the bolts for supporting the suspension and the springs and lowered as far as it would go. Be very careful the spring doesn't pop out. On one side I did, it flew across the gararge, very dangerous!

The problem with doing it without removing the springs is the rod does not unscrew sufficiently to remove the unit. It gets caught up with the body.

If you could remove the rod at the suspension end, it would be Ok. However its near impossible to get to it because the spring covers the bolt.

Sooooooooooo, best method remove the springs.

Good luck

Brian

crashone · #5 05-17-2007, 10:06 PM

OH yea!! I almost forgot...use the search function at the top, it is your car's best friend.

Brian Carlton · #6 05-17-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashone

OH yea!! I almost forgot...use the search function at the top, it is your car's best friend.

Forget the search function at the top.

Use Google as the search function and callout "Mercedesshop.com" as the domain to search.

Whiskeydan · #7 05-17-2007, 11:33 PM

It is NOT a difficult job to do. No need to remove the spring at all.
Remove the cross brace, unbolt the guide rod bushing bracket and unscrew the rod counting the number of turns.
Take the four cap screws loose from the bracket's cover and tap the old bushing out with a mallet. Compress the new one with a large hose clamp to assist inserting it into the bracket. Reassemble and reinstall the bracket on the car counting the same number of turns of the rod you counted when removing it. Easy.
This is my brief version off the top... Rough, long day here so I hope it makes sense. I have pics posted here somewhere you may find during a search.
Make sure the car is safely supported before you get under it.
Good luck.

Whiskeydan · #8 05-17-2007, 11:39 PM

Here ya' go:

W126 Guide rod bushing replacement

gavinbr · #9 05-18-2007, 01:15 PM

Hello again,

Not sure how "whiskydan" just unscrewed the guide rod support bushings.
On mine as you unscrewed it, it conflicted with the underside of the body. The front connection allowed only minor play.
Only way get around this was to lower it down away from the body?
Again, this was accomplished by lowering the suspension and or removing the springs.

If you can just unscrew it great

this would be the obvious way to go?

Remember to use a hose clamp [large one] for installing the new guide rod bushing. It pops right in with a plastic hammer. Dont need a special press

Brian

rbardolv · #10 05-19-2007, 04:25 PM

Yeah whiskeydan, thats my undrstanding of the procedure just by looking at it.. Currently I am doing it without removing the bracket assembly.

I have it all disassebled by way of the rear 4 bolt cover being off and I have unscrewed the bushing from the rod as far as it is to go thus far. It is pushing the actual rubber out and backward since the damn thing won't release out of the bracket hole its pressed in (?) I am curretly trying to whack it out of there with a hammer from the front side toward the back since I don't care about the old bushing anymore...

It is not budging... ANy ideas to free that puppy from sticking in there?????

Thanks guys!

crashone · #11 05-19-2007, 11:04 PM

So I guess you didn't worry about a spring compessor. tie the LCA to the front some how to keep it in place. you may need to rent a "ball joint press" from autozone to press the mount out. But maybe by now you have beat the crap out of it and have the job done. anyway hope it went easier going back together for ya!

rbardolv · #12 05-20-2007, 12:04 AM

I keep beating the hell out of it and it is not releasing.. I guess I will just take the whole assembly down to Autozone tomorrow an dhave them do it for me.

While I spend more money there. I am there every weekend , haha!!! (I may just break down and get an air compressor)

Cheers!

crashone · #13 05-20-2007, 12:28 PM

You may want to consider removing the whole assembly from the car. That is the front subframe mount. There are 2 bushings in there that most likely need replacing now while you have gone this far, better now tham doing double work. It will be easier to get at the guide rod mount removed also. good luck.

rbardolv · #14 05-22-2007, 08:33 PM

Holy crap , putting it back in is a real PITA!!!! I just got the passsenger side done after 2 days of muscling it around under there.. Seems like the wheel assembly moves backward when not connected up wiht the guide rod into the bushing mounted to the body.... I had to use a rachet style tie down to pull the assembly forward to the tow hook and then mount it up..

sheesh!!!

I guess Ill do the other side tomorrow.. I hope its better since there is no exhaust pipe on that side.. (er, nor a tow hook) eep!

crashone · #15 05-22-2007, 10:24 PM

Tried to tell you it was easier with the spring removed, by the way did you replace the bushing on the lower control arm?