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

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

$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.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

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

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

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

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

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

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

Good Luck

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Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW

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

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

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

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

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.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

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!

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

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.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

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

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

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

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel