I finally got my parts for this job. Now I'm trying to put the stupid things in the car.

I jacked under the rocker panel jack point with a floor jack and a block of wood. But I could not find where in the heck to put a jack stand without damaging anything.

So, I loosened the top of the shock mount on the drivers side, jacked the drivers side of the car, removed the wheel, removed the 3 Rear Guide Rod Mount bolts, connected a come-a-long to the LCA and hooked the other end to the heavy hitch on the Chevy. After a couple tugs the arm started to move and I got the Rear mount about 1/2" inch off the frame of the car. WHoaaa, then the whole car started to move. So, now I am back to square one.

How exactly are you guys doing this with the come-a-long?

Should I just get a spring compressor and break the LCA loose?

There has got to be an easier way without damaging the car or myself.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I'd go w/ a ratchet strap- better yet, two. wrap them up around the bumper mount. hook the lca, proceed. or use your come-a-long and maybe a short bit of chain? to get around the bumper mount.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

It took quite a bit of force to even budge the thing forward. I thought it would move pretty easy, but it is very tight.

There is no way I can get the come-a-long into the fender well area it is just too big.

I may try the strap thing. I just can't imagine having enough leverage with that short handle? Maybe I'm making it harder than it really is?

I'm going to try it again in the morning.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Did you use Wheel Chocks (don't know how to spell it) to block the wheels so the car would not move?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Yes, I chocked it. It was still wanting to inch forward.

I was going to tie it to a tree. But, no real tree's to speak of around here. Just palm tree's and they are pretty soft. I don't want to risk that. They don't have much of a root system.

I'm still surprised at the amount of force required to move the LCA forward. Using the strap method.... Are you guys using a small ratcheting strap or a big one? I don't see how you can do that without bending some sheet metal around the bumper/shock mount.

It's raining out right now. First time in almost 2 months. Go figure... This job and the windshield gasket I was trying to get done before the rainy season starts next month.... I guess it is here early.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Did you thread the guide rod mount all the way into the guide rod? If you don't do this I'm not sure you could get it all the way out.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

I used a portable hydraulic jack shown here.
Guide rod mounts, how hard to complete??

79Mercy also tried it your way without any success. The car was moving too much also. I'm on the fence about that method, it takes a lot of force to move it.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

You know...... I thought about that. I got kind of freaked out after the car moved a little while in the air.

So, if I thread it inwards it will drop down enough to remove it? Or am I still going to have to swing the control arm forward?

I saw the thread about using that Harbor Freight sideways jack kit. But I do not have anything like that. Just a big bottle jack and a 3 ton Craftsman floor jack.


Edit: Right now I am considering getting a spring compressor and removing the LCA to do the job. If I can do the job with out damaging the lower BJ's on the process. I did notice a few cracks in the LCA bushings. So, they are probably hard as a rock.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

When I did mine I threaded the mount all the way in and then had to move the lower arm forward a little but not very much. Are both sides of the front end off the ground, I did one side at a time so only one wheel off at a time?
Do you have the rears blocked tight? I remember pulling the lower arm forward with a wrecking bar but I think the best bet would be a strap around the arm and the other end around the bumper support so all action is on the car and not between the car and something else.

Another thought; when I did mine I used one jack stand under the lower arm and another under the car frame rail but if you do this use some wood between the stand a frame rail because it is just sheet metal and will bend easily.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

My Indy did mine for me. The previous noise was a PIA.

You will be happy with results.

I had to do an alignment afterwards but it wasn't that far off the fellow said.

Hang in there and good luck!

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1982 300SD

I'm sure it will be better... When I was pulling on it with the come-a-long the rod pulled out of the mount about 3/4 of an inch before coming off the frame. They are completely shot and they look fairly new?

I'm going to try the bumper strap thing tomorrow as others have said. If that does not do it, then the LCA's are coming out.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I just pulled it hard toward the bumper and threaded it on. The hard part is lining up the two bolts holding the guide rod mount bracket to the car (126)

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

Great job doing this!. I chickened out on doing mine and an Indy did both sides for me plus the engine mounts. He had me get an alignment done at an alignment shop, which I did to save the new tires. After the guide rods and engine mounts and alignment, car was allot better.

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1982 300SD