How much does a front end rebuild cost?
 

hi
I have been trying to sell my '80 300CD for a week with no bites, got me thinking I might just keep her and go through the front end.

My question is this: how much to replace all the soft rubber?
I took her in and was told that nothing big is bad, but it all is worn, and the rubber is all in need of replacement.

She wanders on the freeway, but not enough where I won't drive her anywhere, it is just annoying. A tight front end would make this a whole new car.

I like to wrench, but never have done this before. I am not looking to pay a shop to do it, as I am sure I can't afford it.

What else might bite me in the a$$ when I take her apart?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

for a complete rebuild you are looking at $1000 in parts

$500 or so is more like it unless your including new strutrods, idler arms and pitman arm. And the chances of him needing a whole new front end are pretty small.

If you take the springs out, make sure you replace the LCA bearing and the LCA strut rod bushing. Everything else can be done without the spring compressor.

I have had the $350 kit from ebay on for a few years now. Its ok but I'll get OEM next time. The Chinese rubber just isn't all that good. The metal bits seem to be holding up fine.

On my 83 it was about $1200. I changed it all. Long tedious job. But not dificult.

add about $200 to the parts cost for a good specific MB spring compressor. its not too difficult with the right tools. I also bought a lower ball joint remover/installer for around $90 takes about a good 10-12 hours with cleanup

wow, I was hoping just doing the rubber would be significantly less than those figures...:(

What about another type of Rubber ??
 

What condition are your tires, If I may ask, as they may be deterioriating your ride and ability to track. I know first hand of just how internal radials can throw a car all over the road.
I never believed it until I sold a car to a friend with 1000 disclaimers of needed front end repairs. He installed new tires and tracked it like rails :confused:

Good Luck

Close enough.

I recently ordered everything for my 84 280SL.

Including new Bilsteins, less new front springs, I was knocking on $900. Also, not including the subframe mounts (4), already had them. All OEM, or known OE quality suppliers.

The MB spring compressor is closer to $600, not $200.

In 1998, I paid $1600 to have the front end rebuilt on my 81 240D.

Jim

Replaced em all last fall.
Well, I certainly can't afford to do the front end. Back to the drawing board.

Thank you all for the input!

I bought a Klann spring compressor clone from El Paso tool for less than $200. works just fine

Just looking in the Fast Lane parts section at the top it looks like
Upper arm and ball joint $50 per side
Lower ball joint $35 each
Bushings $34 Each side
Guide rod mount $80 per side
Thats about $200 per side for the primary things that give out.
You could probably find the stuff cheaper if you are only fixing it to sell it.
Look in the tool rental section here for a spring compressor.

OK, Ill bite on this one... What is the difference between what Phil posted and the soup to nuts job?

My right LCA bushing is stretched/skewed a bit so it is causing abnormal tire wear. Everything else is tight and the car drives/steers/rides great.

If Im going in there to do the LCA bushing, I want to be sure to do everything else that makes sense, to save on labor.

I already own a set of Bilstein HD shocks, unused for a 300D sedan... I assume they are the same on the coupe.

Thanks!

Which tool did you use for the BJ's? I usually just take the knuckle to a shop to have it pressed in, but If a proper tool is less than $100, I'd much rather do that.

The price on eBay for the Tube Type Ball Joint insataller has gone up th $98+shipping.

The price of that tool has gone up and you need to have a Hydraulic Press to use it.