Not a question about how to change them or where to buy them, what is the worst that can happen if someone were to let them go for too long?

Mine are bad but I have not gotten around to changing them yet and they are getting worse.

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1982 300sd, new project car to restore

It doesn't matter if you know what you're doing, as long as you look like you know what you're doing.

First would most likely be annoying front-end noise (clunking). Once they really start failing, I'd imagine you'd have alignment issues and bad tire wear.

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

The guide rod controls the fore-aft position of the wheel. I expect there'll be increasing degradation/loss of steering control while braking. I don't know how how a guide rod could fall apart when the bushing is gone. You might dislodge the guide rod with a severely worn bushing if you back over a bump.

Sixto
87 300D

well, worst case would be complete failure of the rod itself, resulting in vehicle lurching to one side on the road. not a good thing for sure, but it's going to make a LOT of racket before that happens.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

The Guide Rod mainly controls the Caster (although changing the length of the Guide Rod also effects the Chamber).

Mine were noisy when I got the Car a little thump.

I had to get another used set of Lower Control Arms and they came with used Guide Rods and Bushings. I used those and they also thump a little. I have been living with that for about 3-4 years with no ill effects.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I hope to do them this weekend but with all good intentions lye some procrastination and unforseen hurdles. They are in the trunk of my car, it's just about getting time and a free bay at my work to do them in.

I'm relieved to hear that they won't fail and kill me like a ball joint.

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1982 300sd, new project car to restore

It doesn't matter if you know what you're doing, as long as you look like you know what you're doing.

I have a couple of old ones out on the scrap heap. They have about 1/4" of in/out play. They had been banging away for at least 100k miles before I got to changing them.
I would not loose too much sleep if you dont get to it for a week or 2.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

The ones on my wife's 300D have been banging for 2 years with no ill effects. Now she drives the 380SL pretty much full time.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Here is the DIY pictorial for that job.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W126GuideRodMount

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works