W124 Differential Mount Bushings R&R
 

1995 E300D. I am in the process of replacing the bushings and could use a little advice/help. The car rear wheels are up on ramps and I have separated the differential from the cross member. I pushed it out of the way so the bushings are somewhat accessible from the front. First question is in which direction do the bushings come out? I thought it was forward but I have tapped on them with a hammer and socket from the rear of the cross member but they have not budged. So, after I figure out the right direction, what is the best method for getting them out? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all, Friz

it's easiest to push them out from the rear... but they will go out either way.
it's a REALLY thin tube the bushing is made onto, so getting them out is tedious.

okay. Got them out. Forward as you suggested. Took a torch to them. melted/burned the rubber mount and removed the core. Then used an air hammer to break the tube from the cross member. Yeah- tedious as you said but eventually they came out. Tomorrow I'll try to get the new ones in. Thanks for the help.

Friz

I THINK I used the Harbor Freight C-Clamp ball joint installation tool kit to put mine in... I might have used the trailing arm kit to put them in.
I hope you have a picture of how the original ones were oriented.
they go in one way, and one way only.
the FLAT part faces the differential, and the cup part points out the rear, and the orientation is important as well... the rubber section goes up. the part where the aluminum touches the shroud sits on the bottom. and the divots go to the top...
here's a pic I stole from W124performance...
http://www.w124performance.com/image...mount_rear.jpg

Thanks VSTECH! Appreciate the tech assist. Got them in as per your picture. I modified a gear puller I have and pulled them in from the front to rear. On my car the front edge of the cross member bushing hole is rounded. The rounded edge guided the bushing and made sliding it in much easier. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

Friz

Thats the only way they will ever go in or come out, you cannot pull them out the back.

speaking of which I need to change them in my W210

... I don't think there is anything that keeps them from going in either way... I KNOW you can push them in too far...