Increasing Ride and Handling SDL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ggspeed · #1 12-05-2008, 05:01 PM

Over my winter break from college my grandfather and i were going to do some work on my 1987 300SDL. As far as i can tell, and have been told this car has worn shocks, control arms, etc. I think everything is original on this 190k miles 21+ y/o car.

Now i only want to spend between $200-$300 on parts. I have access to a lift and any equipment an old stock car garage would have. And my grandfather's 50 years of knowledge on cars should be sufficient when doing minor work. Where is this money best allocated to increase my ride/handling as far as parts go?

Guesses, assumptions, and any advice surrounding this experience is more then welcomed.

Thanks

Actros617 · #2 12-05-2008, 05:07 PM

Wider tires... i am planning to replace my 195/70 R14 to 205/70 R14 i can tell that wider tires really helps in smooth ride and beef up your handling

Jeremy5848 · #3 12-05-2008, 06:03 PM

If the car has a lot of original (and therefore worn) suspension pieces, new tires won't help and will wear out more quickly. Unfortunately, even if you do the work yourself, suspension parts are expensive. For example, a new set of Bilstein shocks will blow your entire budget. Cheaper shocks are available, of course, and even though they may not last very many years, might last enough to get you into a better financial position.

Might you find a mechanic who, for a few bucks (better: free!) would look at the suspension and tell you which parts look most dangerous? You could start with those. It's hard for us to tell from here which parts those might be – shocks, ball joints, steering damper, various links in the rear suspension, etc.

Jeremy

daw_two · #4 12-05-2008, 09:48 PM

I found the frontend shop that all the used car\body shops etc take their vehicles to......and he's been in business a long time.....and has done a lot of old Mercedes. I told him I wanted to know the condition of the frontend and what parts I needed to replace, etc. and that after I did the work, he would get the frontend alignment.

He told me to keep an eye on such and such and nothing needed to be replaced right now......but to start saving my money. So, I replaced the shocks. Went into a local place and they had a manufacturer's rebate going on.....YEE HAW!!! As I recall, I spent about $40 per shock --- did all 4 of them.

The ride is much better. And the handling.....well, it's like night and day difference!!!

Brian Carlton · #5 12-05-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggspeed

Now i only want to spend between $200-$300 on parts.

Guesses, assumptions, and any advice surrounding this experience is more then welcomed.

Thanks

I hate to discourage you, but a 21 year old M/B with handling problems isn't going to be cured, or even helped significantly with $300. in parts. If the vehicle needs the typical shocks, ball joints, LCA bushings, Upper arms, steering damper, guide rod mounts, differential mount, rear subframe bushings and possible trailing arm bushings.........you're looking at $1000. in parts.

If you're doing it right, then spend the money. If not........then leave it as it is.

This is not a guess or an assumption.

mattmacklind · #6 12-06-2008, 12:18 AM

I'm in the same shoes you are right now, just had the alignment done and have a little sloppiness after about 3K miles, its new and I don't like it. At the same time, the gentleman from Blue Point speaks the truth.

ggspeed · #7 12-06-2008, 01:30 AM

i found some bilstiens that could fit my budget, should i bother replacing them, or just leave it be?

Charles_B · #8 12-06-2008, 08:50 AM

A local indie Mercedes told me it would run about $1100 to do the front end on my 86 SDL. I did the steering damper, tie rods, center link, idler arm repair kit myself for around $160, that included a ball joint seperator tool I bought at Napa, not a pickle fork. Of course the control arms and rest of front end still need to be done. My brakes are also starting to sound like they need work. Slowly replacing the rubber bits and stuff that just needs to be replaced eventually, even on Mercedes, and the car feels better with everything I replace. I figure a couple of grand more and it should be almost as good as new.

LUVMBDiesels · #9 12-06-2008, 10:09 AM

I have recently done the steering damper, shocks (get the Bilz HD shocks not the regular ones) The Lower control arms, upper ball joints, tie rod ends, steering damper, center bearing, various bushings, and guide rod mounts. This all cost me about $500 in parts. I shopped around for the best prices on the hype-r-net and bought things from various suppliers.

I had no access to tools or a lift in WV so it cost me $700 in labor to get it done.

The car went from being a wallowing big car to something that feels almost like my BMW in handling!
It feels like it is three feet shorter and 1000 pounds lighter

Brian Carlton · #10 12-06-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

This all cost me about $500 in parts. I shopped around for the best prices on the hype-r-net and bought things from various suppliers.

The cheapest prices that you can find on the internet usually offer commensurate quality.

SD Blue · #11 12-06-2008, 01:07 PM

Sorry, but it sounds a little vague to me. Are you seeing tire wear, having handling problems or hearing clunking noises? Or is this just a "I want to modify for improved handling" question?

After having done my suspension rebuild in portions at a time, I believe shocks would be one of the last items to deal with. Many of the rubber bushings aren't severely expensive and there are several: lower control arm, upper control arm, bearing carrier subframe, sway bar & idler arm. The lower control arm and guide rod needs the MB spring compressor.

Hatterasguy · #12 12-06-2008, 01:48 PM

What are the problems? Whats lose?

Everything may not be as good as factory, but unless your ball joints are popping there fine. If your tie rods are lose you can fix those pretty cheap.

sixto · #13 12-06-2008, 02:48 PM

To do the job properly, you should get the wheels aligned after replacing key suspension and steering components. I understand the economics of doing things piecemeal but consider the cost of having the wheels aligned after each installment.

Don't forget the contribution of rear subframe bushings and swaybar links to directional stability.

Sixto
87 300D