Hi all,

I am replacing my guide rod mount bushings,as there is a clunk on the passenger's front. I have the bearing bracket off, and am trying to back the guide rod out of its sleeve but I keep running out of room (the bearing bracket hits the inside of the wheel well). How can I get this apart?

Thanks,
Jack

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

I am not sure on your year and model but on the W123s you People have pulled the lower Control Arm forward.
The details of how that is done is I believe somewhere in the threads:
DIY Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

I am not entirely in agreement with the way it is done as I think if you Lower Control Arm Busnihing are old it could fininsh them off.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

The threaded stud that is part of the guide rod bearing will rotate. You simply rotate the threaded stud and it will back itself out of the guide rod. Since you already removed the bearing bracket, you won't have to force the rod (and the LCA) forward (as 911 has mentioned above with the 123). That's quite a PITA without some portable power.

As you have observed, there is no way to rotate the bearing bracket without smashing into the body.

Thanks for the replies. I was rotating the stud, not the whole bearing bracket, but as it backed out the bearing bracket became jammed against the inside of the wheel well. I tried swinging the guide arm all the way out, but it still didn't allow the bearing bracket enough room to back up.

What am I missing?

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

That would be physically impossible because the bracket lives behind the wheel well. It does not move forward when the stud is rotated.

Better take a picture.............

I managed to squeeze it out and install the new bearing, but I am having the same problem on installation of the mount. There seems to not be enough space to line up the stud to screw it into the guide rod. The mount is hitting the inside of the unibody.

Any suggestions?

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

My image upload didn't work. Here it is:
View image: 2012 11 13 19 36 43 705

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

The rod bushing located on the lca should allow the rod to move enough to get it threaded.
I have used a load binding strap placed around the bumper mounts to (gently) pull the lca forward a bit.

Are you moving the guide rod in towards the center of the car, or out?

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

Can't you just pull down on the guide rod to get the threads started?

It appears this is due to the fact that the rod has "lived" at that angle for 24 years.

It has been a few years since I've done this task but IIRC, it took a little prying to get things lined up. I don't know how you have things supported but lifting the body of the car, slightly, with a jack, should get it to rotate down. Then the tricky part is getting the wheel to move rearward to get the mount bolts started. I had to do this with a come-along going from the rear suspension to the front Lower control arm.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

When I pull out as far as I can on the guide rod, the mount still interferes with the unibody. When I push in, the rod goes up as well, and the mount interferes. It seems like there is no angle I can get the threads started at.

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

Also, my new guide rod stud will not turn in the mount. It's looking like I'll have to buy one of the special spring compressors on ebay so I can remove the guide rod entirely and thread it on that way.

Any other suggestions?

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

Have you checked to see if anyone has the Compressor in our Rental program?
Tool Rental List
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=291660

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel