mercedes w123 300td 1983 trailing arm bushing question

[ottojd]

Hello
My outer/front trailing arm bushing on the passenger side is shot and makes a rumbling noise on bumps. How unsafe is this? The arm itself is very solid.
Do I have to removing the whole arm to replace the bushing? I have done the fronts and did them in place. Has anyone just replaced one? It is getting cold here and I would like to wait for Spring if possible.

[Bengoshi2000]

I wouldn't drive it with a totally shot bushing allowing a trailing arm to flop around.

[ottojd]

I don't want to either, but why would you not drive it? What are the consequences? What chances am I taking? What could happen other than beat the crap out of my tire?

[moon161]

The rear wheel steering effect that you can get with a loose rear end isn't entertaining for everybody. Someone not used to it could overcorrect and lose control, maybe roll it. I'm gonna fix my lose rear end as soon as I get a winter beater on the road.

[SD Blue]

I think your W123 setup is similar to my W126 in the rear.
I didn't have to pull the trailing arm. With the rear tires on ramps, I used a floor jack to lift on the front part of the trailing arm, just enough to release the tension and unbolt the front bushings. Then lowering a bit to press the bushings out. I used some 5/16 all-thread, large washers and 3/4 Dr. sockets to press the bushings in/out.
The main thing is to use chocks, or similar, to lock the tire in place. This enables you to just raise the jack and rebolt. If you don't, and the wheel moves, make sure there are no sensitive ears around to hear the cursing. You will need to drop the entire subassemby to get it to bolt back.

[Bengoshi2000]

Originally Posted by ottojd

I don't want to either, but why would you not drive it? What are the consequences? What chances am I taking? What could happen other than beat the crap out of my tire?

With the fore bushing gone and the trailing arm flopping, you will get increased wear on the aft bushing. I imagine that sometime along the way the mounting points on the chassis are going to get wallowed out if not the trailing arms themselves. More $$$ to fix.

I'd also be worried about emergency maneuvers like moon161 pointed out.

[ottojd]

Would the parking brake hod the wheel in place?

[ottojd]

That makes sense about the wear around the hole in the frame...

[ottojd]

And the holding of the wheel was in regard to SD Blue's reply.

[SD Blue]

Originally Posted by ottojd

Would the parking brake hod the wheel in place?

Yes, IIRC that was all I used for the second side. The added chock was probably overkill but I didn't want to add to the frustration. Once it's locked into place, the job is really pretty simple.

You'll wonder at the difference afterwards. You may even search out winding roads!