As promised, a few pictures just for the sake of reference. You can click on any of the pictures to see the full resolution.

Guide rod joint:







W126 style lower control arm bushing:







Control arm ball joint:

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Those parts look to be reputable to me. Main thing that sticks out in my mind is the rubber. There appear to be good, high quality embossings on the rubber boots. There were no embossings on any of the rubber boots on my bad tie rod ends.

The packaging also lists countries of origin, Italy & Spain. The packaging for the bad tie rod ends I had did not list any COA (likely red flag).

I hope these parts work out well on your car. I just installed a Febi "Made in Spain" tie rod onto my 220D to replace the faux-Lemforder unit. We'll have to see how well this one holds up. The box didn't list an "Automatic Self Destructing Rubber" feature, so I'm hopeful.

Good points. So the laser etching vs. stamping probably isn't a clue in particular towards a bad part. The other items are probably more so. Thanks.

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Country of origin marking is a federal law requirement. No marking is a huge red flag.

__________________
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...aman/Fleet.jpg

Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic

I can verify this as well, I ordered Lemförder engine mounts for my 190D from Pelican and they were exactly the same as the originals in my car, both say Boge on them, and of course Boge is also an OEM for Mercedes. I recently had my friend put on new Lemförder tie rods also purchased from Pelican and IIRC, they were painted and had the logo on the rubber as well as stamped on the metal.

__________________
Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

The only parts I would ever buy off Ebay are used ones.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I bought a URO Front end kit years ago and none of the parts or packages has where the Parts are made on it. Someone is clearly not abiding by Federal Law.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel