240D front end rebuilt - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-01-2003, 02:36 PM

I am in the process to rebuilt the front end of my 240D, So far I had bought 2 upper control arms and bushings, 4 sway bar bushings, 2 lower ball joints, 2 tie rod assemblies, 2 guide rods and mounts, 2 lower control arm bushings kits, steering damper and link, 2 hd bilsteins. Am I missing anything while I am at it? Thanks a million.....

Mordecai · #2 07-01-2003, 03:43 PM

I didn't see an idler arm rebuild kit in your list, but my eyes might be weak.

M.

leathermang · #3 07-01-2003, 09:43 PM

Wheel bearings ? Brake pads ?

rs899 · #4 07-02-2003, 07:22 AM

Do you have the front guide rod bushings- the ones that connect the guide rod to the lower control arm?

brstarhunter · #5 07-02-2003, 02:12 PM

I am in the same situation on my 82, 300D, I have considered replacing guide rod bushings but have yet to purchase. How difficult are they to replace?...Once springs are removed and the lower control arm is removed??

Thanks,
Kevin

leathermang · #6 07-02-2003, 02:36 PM

I would guess that 95% of the work and risk in that job is the safe removal and replacement of the springs... the rest should be straight forward....

gsxr · #7 07-02-2003, 02:47 PM

Idler arm rebuild kit, complete steering linkages (drag mount too). You'll need the MB spring compressor (rent from IMPCO or rusty@mbz.org) to pull the springs out. You'll need a press tool of some sort for the ball joints, I made the AutoZone free rental tool work (it ain't pretty and requires removal of the grease boot). You need to pull the hubs, so either replace the bearings, or at least clean & re-pack them with fresh MB neon-green grease (measure out the specificed amount with a postal scale or something). And you'll need a dial gauge to set the wheel bearing play. Here's some photos of my W123 rebuild, where I also replaced EVERTHING up front except the coil spring itself:

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/W123_suspension/

Kevin, the guide rod bushings usually don't wear badly, and are an OE dealer item only - about $20 per side, probably more if you don't have a discount source. Check your before replacing, mine were OK, where EVERY other item on the car was SHOT. My guide rod mounts were destroyed, as were all the rubber bushings and joints. It was amazing the front end hadn't fallen off the car yet!

HTH,

#8 07-03-2003, 12:03 PM

Thanks everybody for the info., I will order idle arm rebuilt kit and check the front guide rod bushins. I just did the brakes with 4 new rotors, pads, calipers, brakes hoses, repack front wheel bearings and 2 hd bilsteins in the front.

brstarhunter · #9 07-10-2003, 09:51 PM

GSXR...is the wheel bearing "green grease" a dealer item, I have checked several "net" sources and could not find it.??

Thanks for your help!

dmorrison · #10 07-10-2003, 10:51 PM

Sounds like you have everything covered. Think of buying new coil springs. You get Lemsforders from Rusty. They are $87 if I recall correctly. They are taller than the mercedes coil springs. I called Lemsforder in England to find out if they were correct. They assured me that they were and that they would settle.

Heres is my post on the rebuild

300TD suspension rebuild progress

Heres the link to the rear suspension rebuild

300TD REAR suspension rebuild

To my knowledge you don't have the leveling system in the 240D. I can't remember if I had it in my 240D. So you should be just looking at Springs. Subframe mounts. trailing arm bushings. Sway bar mounts and links, Differential mount for the rear rebuild.

Dave

gsxr · #11 07-14-2003, 12:33 AM

CKS, yes, the "green" grease was a dealer item (I got mine from Rusty along with the other required parts). It's the MB OE high-temp wheel bearing grease. It comes in a 150g tube, and you need 120g total (60g per side), so you'll have some left over. Cool stuff, looks radioactive or something...

samiam4 · #12 07-15-2003, 12:48 AM

Brstarhunter,

Yes guild rod bushing kits can be installed WITHOUT removing the springs. Care and lots of force from a come-along.

Michael