My 87 300D, 225K miles, has a driving issue. The vehicle jerks around on the road. This issue has gotten progressively worse over the last 25K miles to the point now that it is aggravating to drive. It does not matter if it is interstate driving or back roads. I had a 4 wheel alignment performed to no avail. It made no difference. The car has good touring tires on it, and none of the tires show any evidence of tread separation.

I put it on a lift and inspected the front and rear suspension. I attached a 5 foot long bar to the rear hub (tool I made) and I can flex the suspension pushing and tugging on the bar. I see a very small amount of movement in 2 of the 6 "trailing arms" suspension locators in the rear, the ones at the very top on each side, the other 4 have no perceptible movement. I was surprised at the overall flex I could introduce, but then I am used to working on solid rear axle vehicles with leaf springs.

However two of the rear axle cradle bushings, front right and left rear have up to 3/8 of an inch vertical movement. I tried impact tightening the bolts, but they are tight against the inner sleeve of the bushing. It is as if the inner sleeve is longer than the rubber portion of the bushing. It this design intent for these bushings to reduce noise and vibration or have they just deteriorated and shrunk?

Has anyone experienced ill handling on one of these vehicles and learned what it takes to correct the problem?

I would appreciate any insight from anyone's previous experience.

Thanks!

Ar you running factory size wheels? Different offset can screw up handling.

Yes factory wheels.

Rear carrier bushings. Threads here and here and here.
Also see post #5 in this thread.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Looks like I will be replacing the locating links, inner and outer lower control arm bushings and all of the rear subframe bushings including the differential mounting bushings.

When I look up some of these parts on EPC-Net, they state "not for sportline suspension". Now, I am the type of person that likes a crisp handling car. I would prefer to go back with firmer suspension bushings if they are available.

Does anyone know how to look up firmer suspension and subframe bushings?
I looked around on the peachparts site, but only find a few of the items I need and no reference to harder bushings or sport suspension.

Is there an aftermarket source for these or just at the dealer?

Thanks!

There is no need to just start replacing a bunch of parts before diagnosis.

Raise the car safely and check all suspension points for looseness. Use the 4P's; Push, Pull, Pry and Prod on all suspesnison and steering linkage bushings and joints. In the rear, look at all the suspension links. A bad link will have rubber look sort of pooched out at the joint. Any link that looks like this, replace it. Replacing everything is an extreme waste of time and money.

Diagnose before you prescribe.

Best of luck with it.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

With all the low quality parts availability, I am concerned about the two names I see for German parts:
Is Lemfoerder and Lemforder the same company?

I agree with Larry.

the 124 when it's got good bushings in there, is an EXCELLENT handling car!
no need to look into sport suspension parts!

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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!

That was recently discussed in another thread. It is just the translation from German to English, it is one in the same company.

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

yeah, he started another thread on that question.

__________________
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!

That seems to be a new trend. One that hopefully is short lived!

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss