W124 front suspension question
 

I was under the '87 300D Turbo (W124, OM603) earlier today and noticed something strange in the front suspension. On both left and right sides, the rear bushing on the lower control arm doesn't look like the front bushing. Both fronts look the same and both rears look the same, but the rears look as if most of the rubber is missing. I did a lot of searching and there are many front suspension threads but none have pictures.

Here are some pictures of one of my front lower control arms. The first picture is of the front bushing, which looks fine to me. The remaining pictures are three different views of the rear bushing, which looks like a lot of it is missing. Is the rear bushing supposed to look like this?

I don't have any control issues or "clunking" sounds as described by others in the many front suspension threads of this forum. My indy worked on the car 28,000 miles ago in 2006 and replaced the left lower ball joint, the right tie rod, the steering dampener, and all four shocks (Bilstein). I'm sure if this was a problem that existed then he would have caught it. A 4-wheel alignment was done a year ago; if there was a problem I would think it would have caused problems for the alignment shop (but I confess to almost total ignorance of such issues).

SO: Is this a problem or is it supposed to look like this?

Jeremy

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...Front_4719.jpg

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...Front_4720.jpg

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...Front_4721.jpg

http://i323.photobucket.com/albums/n...Front_4722.jpg

That's how mine is.

See this thread - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/289167-124-front-control-arm-bushings-replacement-snag-post2598005.html#post2598005

gsxr cites section 33-0526 stating that the [I'll call it] open bushing is spec'd for 201s, not 124s. I've seen enough to believe otherwise.

Sixto
87 300D

That's a relief, thanks. Based on that other thread, my control arms must be original.

Those, like mine, are the original style bushings. When you buy new bushings they will all look the same and puffy on each end, both front and rear. I'm currently working through my front suspension bit by bit, and thought the control arm bushings were the only things left needing replacement. Your bushings look fine, and nicer than mine which look like they're starting to have tiny shear stretch tears all around the circumference, but no rubber bits spewging from them yet.

I discovered a broken spring (bottom 2/3 coil on passenger side), has been for a while based on rust in the area.. but rides fine and still sits level. Common to this car. Makes sense to do springs as well as control arm bushings at the same time.

I also noticed the cheap tie rods I put in 18 months ago are worn (wiggling)! (Uro I think.. made in China *****). Got Lemforders this time, just put the driver side in last night... that took away some vibration and a clunking. As I was using pickle fork to remove the old, the ball ripped right out of the socket. Cheap plastic in there, probably no Teflon content. Never again cheap ebay parts for things that matter!

I've gotten pretty handy at doing front steering alignment (toe) in my garage using a string method.

What I do noticed is that every single thing I do in suspension adds more clarity and poise to the old girl. I'm very close to having the car handle as original, not the 24 year old it is. Jeez this is a nice highway car.

Sixto, The thread you re-posted goes into detail about Sportline $uspension mods. I'm looking to do an old school refreshing to help get good mileage out of my new tires (205 60 15). The indy alignment shop said my struts and center link should be replaced, and maybe the steering dampener (TBD). But bushings and ball joints were good. I'm writing to confirm that you're running regular Bilstiens, not HD, on your car and enjoying the ride/performance.

Also, is there any good reason to remove the springs? or replace the rubber spring covers? (I have a pair of 18mm spring boots hanging around from a prev 124 suspension rebuild.) Do the rubber spring boots wear out? Thanks

John
87 300TD 308k

Enjoying relative to what? I love the ride of the LWB 140 so I find a 124 stiff even on Bilstein comforts (confirmed). I run 205/55-16s which probably contribute to the stiffness but I don't recall it was much better on 195/65-15s. Handling is miles beyond what a 140 will feel comfortable doing.

Don't you have to remove the springs to replace the struts? There's your chance to replace spring boots. What else are you going to do with them? :)

Sixto
87 300D

If you think a 124 is 'stiff,' you should drive a 210 (well, maybe you have).

I drove a 210 4Matic wagon. I was too busy enjoying the Xenon headlights to notice anything else. I drove a 220 with AMG suspension and wasn't impressed. Handling was nice but I face more bumps than curves on a daily basis.

Sixto
87 300D

When we got the '96 E300D it still had the original Boge shocks and faithfully transmitted bumps to the passenger compartment. I changed to Bilstein thinking the ride would smooth out but it did not. OTOH, it handles better than my '87 300D, but I prefer the softer ride.