My 1980 mbz 300td started shaking a lot and the alignment was a bit off. I took it in to a gas station mechanic so I could have it looked at quick. He saw that the two front tires were ripped pretty badly on the insides and said the bushings need to be replaced. I got the tires replaced the same day.

I called a local mechanic I've never seen who appears to have a good reputation as a mbz diesel mechanic. I told him what was up and he said the bushings and the control arms need to be replaced. He has never seen the car and I'm wondering if he's correct that I need to replace the control arms as well as the bushings.

In the case of the upper control arms, complete replacement is usually the better option. Not so with the lower ones.

X2

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

When my Lower Control Arm Bushings went bad with in 3 days the inside edges of my Tires were worn severely.
The Lower Control Arm Bushings can be replaced.
The Upper Control Arms have a different symptom; although both upper and lower Control Arms need to be checked.
One of my Upper Control Arms had a bad Ball Joint and I replaced both with new assembles. Although, you can buy only the Bushings and replace them.
When you are done you need to have a front end alignment.

Because you end up doing a Front End alignment all of the other steering and suspension stuff needs to be checked so that several months down the road they do not fail and ruin you Front End Alignment.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

So, the mechanic quoted $650 to replace the control arms and bushings. It looks like both control arms and bushings cost $100 absolute max. Does his estimate sound reasonable?

Check out post #26

My 1985 300D (Pics, finally)


"For 2 front lower ball joints, 4 sway bar bushings, and 4 upper control arm bushings: The labor for installing them all plus R+R of the springs and spindle, including alignment was 540 dollars."

I don't remember if that is including the parts... Shop rate is 95 per hour if I am not mistaken.

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1985 300D (CA, 173K)

Dynamite Biodiesel Co-op, Phoenix,AZ

So you didn't have the control arms themselves replaced?

Absolutely beautiful car, btw. Do you mind if I asked how much you got it for? Makes me happy to see one in near-perfect condition!

Which control arms and which bushings?

Indeed, new Lower Control Arms were around $350 each several years ago. And I do not know if they come with the Bushings already installed.
(I had to replace both of my Lower Control Arms with used ones because the Bushing Bores were too enlarged after the heavy scale type rust was removed from the Bores.)

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Both upper control arms with 4 bushings.

Don't worry about the whole with or without bushings thing for the upper control arms you buy them all pre-assembled. Take a look at the pictures in the fast lane catalogue:-

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1980@@1980&makeid=63@@MERCEDES+BENZ@@X&modelid=6229%3AED|10000132%3AMBC|2515@@300TD&catid=241464@@Suspension&subcatid=241482@@Control+Arm&applicationid=W0133-1619255@@Control%20Arm%20-%20Front%20Right%20Upper&mode=PA

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

In that case, $650 to replace the upper control arms is beyond absurd, Bay Area pricing considered.

That's not quite correct. The torsion bar end bushings are not normally part of the package.

He said he would have to jack the car up just a bit and then from the top take out components like the fan belt and battery to access the control arm area. He's also rotating the tires. Still bad?

I had the upper and lower control arms on one side replaced on my old mbz and was quoted $1000 by one shop and $650 at another. I have never used the current mechanic.

What do you think a fair quote would be?

The fan belts are in the way of the upper control arms? Were you wearing a shirt that said "Sucker" on it? Or do you have the front wheel drive version of the 300TD?

Even in the Bay Area, I would think that $350 would be a fair rate for UCA's. Do them yourself; it's not a difficult job at all. Assuming that things aren't rusted up too bad.

Once the wheel is off, you only have to deal with three fasteners per UCA.