190D - doing steering and suspension

[tuxbeej]

Greetings, eh?

I've got a 1989 190D 2.5 with 438000 km on the dial, and I have *no* idea if the struts/shocks, tie rods, ball joints, etc. have ever been replaced. What I *do* know is that the ride is shuddering like crazy and I'm getting all sorts of rattles where I didn't have them before.

When I had the Post-Purchase Inspection done (yes, I was that dumb about it), the dealer recommended a whole ton of replacements, which I didn't have done due to the sheer cost of getting the dealer to do them. When I had an alignment done a little while ago, the techs couldn't get the wheels to align to the recommended specs, and so they settled for an alignment that tracked straight (which seemed good enough a year ago).

So time to give my car (and me) a treat and replace some things, I think. But I have some questions:

1) I'm assuming that the reason the alignment couldn't be set to recommended specs is because the ball joints are shot. Would that explain the jitter I feel in the steering wheel when I'm idling (when the wheel's about 30 degrees off-center)? Should I also do the tie rods (left, center, and right)? Should I just replace bushings (I've never done this before) instead? If you buy replacement tie rod assemblies online, do they normally come with bushings or do you have to buy them extra?

2) I want to replace the struts and shocks on all four corners. I'm thinking Bilstein Comforts, as I'm not a hard-drivin' guy and this is not a hard-drivin' car. Bilstein Sports or HDs seem a little ridiculous, especially since I don't want to buy sport springs. Any other thoughts?

3) Should I replace the springs anyway? Will it make a great difference?

4) Should I replace the steering damper? $44, and I'm under there anyway... How will I know if it's worn? Should I replace it just due to its age?

I'm willing to do my own work and take time. I also have mechanic friends willing to help me if I need it. I also don't want to spend a ton of money. If I'm getting the parts online, it makes sense to me to buy everything I need at once to save on shipping. It also means I take the wheels off once and don't have to get under the front end multiple times. I definitely do feel that it's worth my time and money to replace what needs replacing, but there are limits, of course.

And to screw you up further, no I haven't done a visual inspection of the front end yet, so there could be worn parts lurking under there that I don't know about yet. I'll be doing that tomorrow. I acknowledge that I probably only know enough to be dangerous, but I've done a couple of other mechanical things before (replaced O-rings on my diesel injector pump, for one) and I'll be safe, smart, and follow my Mercedes shop guides to the fullest.

Any advice, gentlemen?