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  #1  
Old 05-09-2014, 04:19 PM
Stugist's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Western Washington, USA
Posts: 118
Front suspension/steering rebuild - parts list

I've been toying with the idea of rebuilding my front suspension/steering for a little while now. It used to be a passing fancy that I'd have once in a while, but now my UCAs are creaking....bad. Tie-rod ball joints have torn boots, and the springs aren't looking too good. I know I'll probably end up spending a lot just in parts for this but I want to feel a 240D that handles great!

I'm trying to make a list of what I could replace while I'm down there--anyone who's done major front-end work on their 123s is welcome to chime in with their suggestions/tips/tricks! This'll be the biggest thing I've tackled on my car in my 3rd year of ownership.

List so far:

- Upper control arms
- Tie-rods
- Steering damper
- Center steering carrier
- Coil springs (w/ pads)
- Shocks ? (Iffy on this one right now)
- Wheel items (redo bearings, check rotors/calipers/lines/sensors, etc)

I'll be sourcing-out a GOOD spring compressor probably from one of you fine people. Would replacing all of this be possible within a good full day (or weekend)?

Thanks much!

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- 1979 W123 240D 4-speed, 390k miles
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  #2  
Old 05-09-2014, 04:28 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
The springs may not look appealing but they are not usually a problem on 240Ds, from what I understand.

If you want handling improvement, buy some quality shocks and leave the springs be.

I would add to your list:

- lower balljoints,
- upper control arm bushings,
- sway bar bushings,
- lower control arm bushings,
- strut rod bushings.

You need the spring compressor for the last two. Not everyone does them when they do the balljoints, depends on how thorough you want to go with your rebuild.

If makes little to no sense to leave partly worn front rotors in place when you do all this work, in my opinion. May as well renew at the same time.
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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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  #3  
Old 05-09-2014, 11:38 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,740
Don't buy anything but lemforder, don't replace any bushings unless you are positive they are bad, 30+ year old rubber on these cars are better then anything that can be bought today.
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  #4  
Old 05-10-2014, 11:06 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,229
I have done a couple. Check out:
123 Suspension (Front End) Rebuild
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  #5  
Old 05-10-2014, 11:11 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 4,154
Source of good acceptable spring compressor? Both SDs need suspension work.
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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.
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Old 05-10-2014, 12:10 PM
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Not so amused
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by Junkman View Post
Source of good acceptable spring compressor? Both SDs need suspension work.
Tool rental program on the forum (links off main page).

One eBay vendor has the Klann knockoff down to $149 including CONUS shipping (or did a few weeks ago).
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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
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  #7  
Old 05-10-2014, 12:18 PM
fashion victim immunizer
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: oakland
Posts: 930
shocks are easy to replace, can fail in multiple ways and it will be a big improvement when you put new ones in. use bilstein or sachs.

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