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  #1  
Old 01-14-2010, 05:24 PM
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E300- Help with parts for front end repairs

I will have my indy mechanic address my front end 55mph shimmy, and also the clunk it is making when going over bumps next week on my E300. The Merc dealer said I need to replace my LCA bushings and a tie rod at the least. I was hoping some of the forum members can provide me with advice on the parts I may have to replace. Below is a list of the brands I plan to use to replace the front suspension/steering parts that I believe will be worn out. Please let me know if there are better parts out there than what I have listed.

-Ball Joints: Lemfoerder Brand
-LCAs: Lemfoerder Brand (I think these are the more "heavy duty" that forum members have indicated)
-Sway Bar Bushing: Febi (fastlane has these, but should I just get OEM?)
-Tie rod: Lemfoerder Brand

Any suggestions on the above parts/brands are appreciated. Thank you,

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)
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  #2  
Old 01-14-2010, 06:22 PM
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Location: Walnut Creek, CA & 1,150 miles S of Key West
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I would go with the OEM replacement LCA arm; it comes with new bushings already installed. Is basically the only way the dealer does LCA's now. Very clean install. More expensive on parts but offset by greatly reduced labor.

Get new sway bar links too in addition to the bushings if you haven't done them already.
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  #3  
Old 01-14-2010, 06:31 PM
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I bought the Lem LCA'a with bushings, and good brand (escapes me) ball joints at pts geek, YMMV. I also did outer tie rods, upper arms and bilstein HD's (from eshocks i think) on all 4 corners.

my brother and i did the install on his snap-on scissors lift, which made pre-loading the suspension one corner at a time doable

all aformentioned parts were worn beyond my liking at about 132k miles. UCA's are a bear and take the most time as the access to the nut on the right side arm is a bear.

its all straightforward, oh use a NICE spring compressor, we used an 'outee' VW one and it was hairy!

Good luck!
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Old 01-14-2010, 07:11 PM
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This company makes a caster/camber kit for these cars but it's not cheap...

http://www.k-mac.com.au/
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  #5  
Old 01-14-2010, 07:45 PM
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Why dont you talk to Fastlane on this site?
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  #6  
Old 01-15-2010, 11:18 AM
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I buy most of my parts from Phil at Fastlane. I got my Bilstein HD's from him a little while ago. Very pleased with their service and parts. My original post was intended to find out if anyone has found other higher quality choices than what is on Fastlane. I'm sure what's offered on Fastlane for my job is satisfactory, but I just wanted to know of any other options that may be out there.
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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)
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  #7  
Old 01-15-2010, 01:00 PM
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Be sure to have them carefully inspect the front spring perches. I remember reading somewhere that the undercoating was not that great in this area and the perch can rust away under the undercoating causing the perch to tear off over time. Especially if you drive on salted roads.
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  #8  
Old 01-15-2010, 03:31 PM
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I put the Lemfoerder 'heavy duty' LCA's on mine - VERY stiff for the first 2k miles or so but have relaxed nicely after about 10k mi.
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  #9  
Old 01-15-2010, 08:13 PM
Tradesman with2MB diesels
 
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Angry

Quote:
Originally Posted by BobT View Post
I bought the Lem LCA'a with bushings, and good brand (escapes me) ball joints at pts geek, YMMV. I also did outer tie rods, upper arms and bilstein HD's (from eshocks i think) on all 4 corners.

my brother and i did the install on his snap-on scissors lift, which made pre-loading the suspension one corner at a time doable

all aformentioned parts were worn beyond my liking at about 132k miles. UCA's are a bear and take the most time as the access to the nut on the right side arm is a bear.

its all straightforward, oh use a NICE spring compressor, we used an 'outee' VW one and it was hairy!

Good luck!
UCA right side, been there and bear is the correct description. Jim
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  #10  
Old 01-20-2010, 04:43 PM
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Thank you for all of the suggestions fellas.

UPDATE:
-LCA bushings are shot. The mechanic said he would rather replace the bushings instead of the entire arm. I'm having them install polyuretahne bushings from here: http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/product_id/22488/nm/Mercedes+Control+Arm+Polyurethane+Bushings+ADUS+598

-Sway bar end links are shot. Being replaced with OEM.

-Right side tie rod is shot. Being replaced with a non-oem that my mechanic trusts.

-Ball joints, upper control arms, and spring perches looks just fine.

-They found an oil leak by my turbo. We'll see what happens there.

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)
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