rear trailing arm bushings in w124? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WANT '71 280SEL · #1 11-08-2004, 09:10 PM

I've posted before regarding my dad's 300E and its rear camber problem. When looking from the back of the car, you can visibly see the wheels tilt in at the top. I've replaced all the rear control links minus the tie-rod looking one and the sway bar link, but they were in good condition. The wheel camber has changed just a little if any. I spoke with a mechanic at a local indie and he said to look at the rear arm. I can't remember what he called it, but he was talking about the largest arm on the bottom. Is that the trailing arm? It holds the spring, I know of that. Anyways, he thinks that bushing might be bad. If that bushing were bad, wouldn't it cause the wheels to tilt out at the top? It has worn through two used tires within a rather rapid time and it makes the car dangerous to drive in rain or even dry sometimes! So, has anyone replaced this bushing and do you think it will fix it? What tools are needed except the Klann Spring Compressor, (if anyone here has a compressor, I'll rent it from you, you name the terms of course). PM me if you'd like to rent yours out.
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #2 11-08-2004, 09:13 PM

I just got on fastlane and looked at suspension pieces. Would the lower arm I'm speaking of be the torsion bar? They say the "torsion bar kit" has to be special ordered on the phone.
Thanks
David

Arthur Dalton · #3 11-08-2004, 09:14 PM

He is talking about the outer. lower control arm bushings.. they wear out and cause neg camber...

Brian Carlton · #4 11-08-2004, 09:16 PM

I cannot comment on the W124, however the SDL is doing the exact same thing. I believe that the cause on the SDL is the fact that the springs are too old and too soft and the body is sitting about 1 1/2 inches lower than it should. When new springs raise the body, hopefully the wheels will stand more perpindicular to the pavement. We'll see.

WANT '71 280SEL · #5 11-08-2004, 09:45 PM

So, let me get this straight. Negative camber will cause the inside of the tire to wear? What part from fastlane would I order then for the rear control arm?
Thanks
David

Arthur Dalton · #6 11-08-2004, 09:53 PM

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1D00YU6RY1DH1APLXV&year=1987&make=MB&model=300-E-002&category=L&part=Control+Arm+Bushing

When these bushings go , they do not make the top of the tire go in, they make the bottom of the wheel go out, so the results is still neg camber..] along with improper rear toe]
However, check them first because this is just one of many possibles for inside tire wear on 5 point link Benz suspension...

psfred · #7 11-08-2004, 10:17 PM

Two bushings, inner and outer, replace both. I'll have to look in the manual to see what the procedure for removing the spring is, you MAY be able to just lower it, but don't unless you know definitively. If they are really beaten up, the bottom of the tire may be half and inch or more further out than it should be, you will get quite a bit of wear.

You should be able to check by jacking the wheel clear of the ground and pushing/pulling on the bottom of the tire -- bad bushing will allow it to move.

The bushings are cheap.

Check the tie rod for looseness on the bushing (eccentric bolt) end and the ball joint. If the ball joint is bad, you need to replace the link, otherwise you can replace the inner end bushing.

Peter

WANT '71 280SEL · #8 11-09-2004, 05:19 PM

Peter,
Are you talking about the front? becasue I'm talking about the rear. Is there a ball joint on the lower rear control arm? I've tried pushing and pulling on the wheel and can see not move it. You can notice the alignment with the naked eyes and it's worn through 3 used tires. Like I said, every other arm back there that could affect rear camber has been replaced.
I assume those bushings will have to be pressed in and out? Any other parts I'll have to order except the inner and outer bushings? I need to do both sides, the right isn't AS bad, but it's definitely bad.
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 11-09-2004, 05:21 PM

Does the rear lower arm I'm talking about have a ball joint on it? If so, does it take the same ball joints up front it did in the back?
Thanks
David

psfred · #10 11-09-2004, 08:05 PM

The ball joint is on the tie rod link in the rear suspension -- ball joint on one end, eccentric bolt on the other, used to set the rear toe.

The spring link has a bushing on both ends, and the outer one is missing the rubber by now, allowing the bottom of th wheel to kick out. Will also change the toe, but I'm not sure which way.

You will have to remove the spring to get the link off, will look that up when I get a chance.

Bushing is in the catalog at FastLane, costs about $31. Look under control arm bushings.

Peter

WANT '71 280SEL · #11 11-09-2004, 10:36 PM

So, I need two inner bushins and 2 outer bushings? Also, is a Klann Spring Compressor the only special tool needed?
Thanks
David

samiam4 · #12 11-10-2004, 01:04 PM

Is the inner bushing the one pressed into the carrier??

Yep- you'll need a Klann or Klann-klone to take the spring out. Might want to check if that's one or 2 bushings for $31. I think I paid $8 for the inner bushing at the dealer.

Michael

WANT '71 280SEL · #13 11-10-2004, 04:59 PM

Does anyone know how long this might take using a lift? Since the bushings need to be pressed in, I'll just take them to a local shop. Is there anything else I need to know about before tackling this job?
Thanks
David

davidmash · #14 11-10-2004, 06:09 PM

I just replaced all 4 arms on each rear wheel. MB does not seel just the bushings. They sell them with the arm. Price is not all that much diff from getting just the bushings. One was $22, one was $34, one $47 and the tie rod was $63. If you do replace the tie rod you need to have a tool to pus out the tie rod from the wheel carrier side. I tried using C clamps, pry bars ... ended up buying the tool from MB for $90. If you want to buy it from me, let me know. Maybe we can make a deal. The Tie rod comes with the eccentric bolt if you get it from MB.

It's not a hard job as long as you can free the nuts. I got 7 out of 8 done my self. Had to bring it in to have one of them cut loose. I could not break it for all the tea in China.

You will probably want to have it alligned since the configuration will be different with the new bushings.

Arthur Dalton · #15 11-10-2004, 06:37 PM

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We is not talking about the links . We are talking about the lower control arm bushings, inner and outer.. the outer is pressed into the rear bearing carrier and they are a common 5 link rear suspension wear item.
And, just the bushings are replaced , not the arm....