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  #1  
Old 04-20-2004, 07:39 AM
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83 300D Suspension Questions

I took my 300D into the only shop (Burke Spring) in town where I live (Terre Haute, IN) that could do a 4 wheel alignment on my car. I took it in just to check out what needed to be replaced before I got the alignment. The problems that the mechanic found where:

1.) Ball Joint-Left Upper
2.) A-Frame Bushing-Left Upper
3.) Tie Rods-Left Outside
4.) Steering Stabilizer

My intention is to replace the bad parts and to take it back for the 4-wheel alignment ($90). Burke Spring charged me nothing to check out the car so I feel fortunate. The questions I have is interpreting what they say is bad over to Mercedes part numbers.

I'm thinking that 1,2 and 3 is the same part number (123 330 46 07) Control arm and ball joint assembly. Looking at the attached photo that's what it looks like to me. The thing I'm not sure of is what they are calling an A-Frame Bushing.

They also say the steering Stabilizer is band. Is that the same thing as the steering damper or are they talking about the idler arm? I'm not a mechanic and I'm definitely not sure about the terminology.

The problem that I am having is that this car is eating up the insides of the front tires. Another question is how hard is this to replace?

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83 300D Suspension Questions-mercedes-l-ball-joint-assembly.jpg  

Last edited by MicroRacer; 04-20-2004 at 07:52 AM.
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  #2  
Old 04-20-2004, 09:39 AM
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Upper control arms are a 2.5 on a scale of ten to replace in terms of difficulty, IMHO. If you have any mechanical experience, then I'd say go for it yourself. Buy the parts from FastLane, both left and right upper control arms with the 4 total bushings, the steering stabalizer and tierod, get an alignment, enjoy the low cost of your car. A reference can be found here:
http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/123_DISK2/program/123-cd-index.html
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Old 04-20-2004, 10:30 AM
LarryBible
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Yes, if you get the whole piece in the picture for reasonable price it would be easy to replace it, the tie rod end and the stabilizer (yes that's the damper.)

Good luck,
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Old 04-20-2004, 10:35 AM
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can the rubber around the balljoint in the above picture be replaced? the joint is still good with grease but the rubber is cracked. please say yes and tell me that fastlane sells just the rubber boot.
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Old 04-20-2004, 11:07 AM
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Thanks Adam and Larry. I think I know what all I need to order now.

Wish I could help JenTay. Only been a Mercedes owner for 6 months. So much to learn.
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Old 04-20-2004, 11:57 AM
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JenTay,
I am not sure if the rubber can be purchased, but, I really think it would be worth your while to replace the entire arm. They are only 55 bucks, then you will get new EVERYTHING and not have any problems with it again unless you drive another 200k. If you can swing the bucks, then you'll benefit from the new inner bushings as well.
I am about to replace the ones on my new-to-me car, and if I get the upper control arm off without damaging the outer boot, I will let you know.
Thanks, Adam
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Old 04-20-2004, 04:48 PM
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MicroRacer: You front end guy has the part names mixed up. This type of front end is not an A-frame style. Your item #2 is the uca (upper control arm). Item #3, the tie rod end, attaches to the lca (lower control arm) Replace both left and right tie rod ends at one time. They are inexpensive.

The upper control arm doesn't appear to come with the inner bushings according to the catalog. They are pretty inexpensive at around $36 for 4.

JenTay: I'm don't believe the covers for the upper ball joints are available separately. :-(

Good news is that the arm is relatively inexpensive. You should replace the sway bar bushings at the same time as the uca (Sway bushings $10 for set of 4). You have to remove them anyway and they are cheap.

For an upper arm change complete parts cost is $163 (2 arms, 4 inner bushings, 4 sway bar bushings). Labor and alignment extra.

I have my own preferences (opinion) for front end parts brands, you can PM me for that information.
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Old 04-20-2004, 04:52 PM
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Re: 83 300D Suspension Questions

Quote:
Originally posted by MicroRacer

My intention is to replace the bad parts and to take it back for the 4-wheel alignment ($90).
You should really only have to pay $45 because the rear wheels of the W123 chassis cannot be aligned on the car.
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Old 04-20-2004, 07:04 PM
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tell them you neeed a three wheel alignment, two front wheels and the steering wheel (I hope they use a spacer bar)
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Old 04-21-2004, 07:10 AM
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Re: Re: 83 300D Suspension Questions

Quote:
Originally posted by R Leo
You should really only have to pay $45 because the rear wheels of the W123 chassis cannot be aligned on the car.
I'm really glad to know that. I must have misinterpeted something I have read. So there is nothing special about aligning a 123 300D?
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Old 04-22-2004, 03:52 PM
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I'm not well studied on these fronends. But, MBZ front ends are definitely more complicated than your plain-jane US car since, among other things, the track rod lengths can be used to alter the steering caster. I can't think of a single US or Japanese vehicle where that is possible.

Bet bet would be to find out who your local Benz dealer uses for alignments and go to them.

I only know about the rear ends because I've had to pull a couple of subframes for trailing arm and subframe bushing replacement.
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Old 04-23-2004, 07:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by R Leo


Bet bet would be to find out who your local Benz dealer uses for alignments and go to them.
There is no local Mercedes Dealer. The closest Mercedes Dealer is 60 miles away. I do have the number to a Mercedes Indy in Indianapolis. I'll call him up to see where he sends his cars
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Old 04-23-2004, 10:40 AM
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Why is 60 miles not local? I drive 43 miles each morning to get to work. Many people on this board do more than that.
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Last edited by Rick Miley; 04-23-2004 at 11:21 AM.
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  #14  
Old 04-23-2004, 01:55 PM
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I work in Terre Haute, IN which is 35 miles the other direction. The only time I can get anything done is on a weekend. I'll do some checking this weekend.
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  #15  
Old 04-23-2004, 05:09 PM
LarryBible
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My commute used to be 89 miles one way. It is now about 30 feet. There are many advantages to working at home. I now have recovered about 3 hours per day for better use, not to mention about $250 per month in gas cost alone.

The down side is that I like to drive. It's now a big treat to drive the twenty miles to town for errands.

Have a great day,

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