That's why I rarely take my cars into places like midas, but every now and then, the free inspection is alluring...

So, I'm driving past one today and I have been a little concerned about the "wandering" loose feel on the freeway, and I stop just to see my beast in the air, really, I enjoy that, and am told that everything is worn out and must be replaced.

Upper ball joint, tie rod ends, center link, steering damper...
bushings all wet with oil and shot, are the allegations.
$1000, I'm told.

Well, I can't stand to let anyone work on my car, but I do have reservations about front end work. I'm thinking of buying parts, slapping them on myself, then bringing her in for adjustment.
That ball joint looks like some work though. Why are those tie rods so intimidating?

I looked on the fastlane list, the parts don't seem to cost too much, but there are a lot of them. Is it foolhardy to replace all this stuff? What is a realistic price?

Surely there are some thoughts on this....

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

i am in the proccess of slowly rebuilding my front end. i too would like a list of all the parts needed to do a good job

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Have yall considered trying a search..... several people have done this and did a great job of posting pictures and suggestions...
Or you can wait around and see if you are lucky enough for someone to write up the stuff again.....

I am not an expert and not much of a mechanic but I am nearing competion of a steering system replacement that involved the ties rods, center rod upper arms lower ball joints damper and idler arm. My only problem was the lower ball joints. I was told there is a special MB "press" that is needed so I had that done for me. If the bearings haven't been inspected or repacked these can be done by a good indy at the same time as the ball joints. That's what I did since I don't consider myself an expert. I probably save'd a couple hunded in labor but the fun I had doing it myself was more valuable. I second the suggestion to review the archives. Also get a shop book or haynes manual.

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Tom Engel
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83 240 230K Manual (8/2003)
83 300D 265K (3/2004)
Just a Driver!

The lower ball joint is a pain. It can be done with a fairly cheap ball joint tool from Harbor Frieght if you remove the boot (we've done that" and we may make a tool someday....

Anyway, tie rods aren't difficult, neither is the upper ball joint IF you get a good tie rod end "puller" -- you want either the straight one (import size, the US size is too large to hold) or the lever type. Makes popping the taper easy.

Don't bother with ends, just buy the whole tie rod. Takes major work to get the olds ones to move, not worth the effort. The guys at the alignment shop will appreciate your thoughfullness, too!

Take the old tie rod off, adjust the new one to the same length as close as you can, and tighten up the clamp nuts enough it won't unscrew while installing, they tighten properly once in place. You will get close enough to drive to the shop, anyway.

Check the condition of the bushings on the sway bar, too -- this is a good time to replace them if bad.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Don't forget the trailing arm sockets..they are often overlooked, and play a decent role in keeping the rest of the front end tight.

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00' C230K
88' 190E 2.3
79' 280CE (Sold)
84' 300SD
73' 450SE
93' 300E
68' VW Bug (what the hell was I thinking!)
99' HD FLSTF

THis is a good one..

lower ball joint press

I planned on doing it myself, but the ended up having my tech do it. By the time I bought or rented the tools, I think I figured that I only paid my tech about $250 or so to do it. In this time he also replaced the AFT & filter and did some additional odds and endswork.

I replaced upper control arms, lower ball joints, guide rod mounts and bushings,,, just about everything except tie rods which I did myself a year earlier. Drives like a new car.

I bought a number of parts off of Fastlane as well as ebay. I would estimate that the whole enchelada cost me around $500, give or take.

I try to do as much work as I can, but time and the absence drove me to my independant tech. This combined with the fact that the car is my daily driver and I couldn't take the tie to have it off the road.

JCD

OK, JCD, this ONE time we will forgive you for taking it to someone else to do..... It is clear that you are feeling appropriately guilty for your actions....
LOLOLOL

Take it back to those meck-a-nicks at Midas after you have it all done and see what they say.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

This job intimidated me before I jumped into it. I would recommend doing it yourself after you read the 'safety factors' listed on a number of threads.

I found that taking the steering knuckle off (took a couple off a parts car ahead of time and had the ball joints already pressed in) was alot easier.

The C-Clamp deal, driven by air, was a rush to work with and pressed the ball joints securely in.

I did upper control arms, tie rods, upper control arm bushings, ball joints. When I was done, I had to 'loosen' my steering as the car had tightened up considerably.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I alway love the votes of confidence for DIYers here!
I'm gonna go for it.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

You're on it, Leathermang, I hear you, though sometimes there's so much stuff in the archives, it's hard to tell which way to go. Folks here do spoil us shade-tree'ers with an abundance of info, and I don't want to be lazy in the face of all that help. I guess sometimes it just feels good to shout out.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

You are right...........................................

I had to come clean...........................

I feel so guilty........................

I'm going to go and change the oil as pennance.

JCD

Do you REALLY think that a simple oil change will absolve you of your sins? :p I suggest...and this is just a suggestion...that maybe pulling and re-installing your engine would do the trick. Then all will be right in the ways of the Board. *church music follows*

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00' C230K
88' 190E 2.3
79' 280CE (Sold)
84' 300SD
73' 450SE
93' 300E
68' VW Bug (what the hell was I thinking!)
99' HD FLSTF