Go here and learn about your suspension.

http://www.************************/BitMapPage.aspx?bitmapid=197&bitmapname=Front%20Suspension%20&%20Steering

item #6 is your drag link OR center link

item #12 is your steering damper.

Here are pictures of the parts, click on them to enlarge.


Steering damper

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1HN0SOM5G1HO0R0KA7&year=1986&make=MB&model=300-E-002&category=M&part=Steering+Damper

Drag link or center link or tie rod assemble,center

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=mercedesshop&cookieid=1HN0SOM5G1HO0R0KA7&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1986&product=M3000-16364&application=000015698

Dave

A millimeter difference at the tie rod mounts will be hard to measure accurately but will certainly effect the toe settings......try two different manufactureers tie rod ends some time....they are't all preciesly the same either.....counting exposed threads will get you close but not dead on without an alignment....

Chew up your tires you are out for new tires AND an alignment.....

instead of just an alignment....sounds pennywise and pound foolish to not do it right.

Not to mention the fact that a minor misalignment issue will DRAMATICLY reduce wet weather traction.......think about that next time you take that dangerous looking turn in the rain....

So it sounds like, as a Band-Aid, I could do the drag link... pass inspection... pay my gas bill... go fishing next weekend on opening day... and get an alignment in a month.
While I'm down there I should thoroughly clean and inspect everything for signs of wear.

That would give me the opportunity to get in there again... later this year and do the job again to hone my skills ;)

If you actually look at your tires you would see the wear before a lot of life is taken off of them.

When I did mine I also did the tie rods, I counted the threads ect. The shop said I was reasonably close.

you can lose 10,000 miles wear before its obvious at a glance...how many people have tread depth guages......

Besides like I said...even a minor adjustment will make it real hairy on wet roads.....

That will work..........but do get it done ( the alignment) ASAP.......an out of alignment car will hydroplane far quicker than one in proper alignment. And Spring is here.

[QUOTE=A264172] go fishing next weekend on opening day... QUOTE]

Ha I'm in the same boat! :D $200 for a blower motor, or fishing gear...I need new flyline more then a blower motor, so... :D

Check you idler arm bushings while you are under there.

[QUOTE=Hatterasguy]Yeah I can't wait.
I go up for the weekend every year to the same unstocked stream... nine miles between roads of nobody... except for the 5 trout that live there, me and the 15 other guys I go with.
I have to save my tie rod money for fly rod expenses (like a liscence and beer).

Thanks for the tip. Should I just look for cracks in the bushings?

Yep I have been going for the last 10 years to a nice little river in upstate CT. We rent two 40ft trailers at a camp ground, I usually bring one of my friends and about 6-8 of my dads go.

I look forward to it every year! :D The MB is all ready, I think I will dust off my fly rod tonight!

I have a little 7ft, 4wt, 1 ounce Orvis. It is a sweet little rod and I wouldn't trade it for any other rod in the world. It is perfect for me. With Cortland 444 line it can lay out a nice presentation.

7ft... you must be surrounded by brush and over growth like me :D
I actualy found a 4 piece 6ft rod last year that snapped on me 5 miles upstream... before I found out how much I like it. One things for sure... Ill have a spare pack rod with me if I try out its replacement this year. It was a nice little IM8 graphite spin fly combo from Dicks sporting goods I've never seen one that small before. When I went back with my reciept a week and a half later the clerk took pity on me and replaced it. I think I might go back up to 8ft though and use it as the spare... you get a little more roll cast off an 8ft...
Good luck this year.

I started with an 8ft 6in, 6wt rod, but I just couldn't cast it. 90% of the streams I fish are very small and 7ft is long enough. I have a 9wt and 10wt saltwater rods if I want a work out! :D

On thing I like about Orvis is they have an awsome 25 year warranty. If you fall and break the rod they will replace it for free! It doesn't matter no questions asked they will fix or replace your rod for any reason for 25 years!

Good luck!

success
 

Well that wasn't too hard. I would however highly recommend the lever type puller that glenmore suggested, after about an hour under there without enough room to swing the BFH into the pickle fork, It was clear that it would have done the job with ease. Everything else in and around there seemed to be in pretty good condition. I could feel the difference in the steering, slight but it did feel a little tighter.

Changed out the rotors (for Balo) and the pads (for OEM) as well... cleaned everything up pretty well. The inspection station cant see me till Monday but I took her for an illegal test drive of about 20 miles to bed in the brakes. The cleaning and new rotors cured most of the ABS sensor (cold brakes) low speed pulsation.

So thanks to all for your help. You saved me a lot of stress and probably a few mid job trips to the parts store. I'm going to keep an eye on those treads and get an aligned next month. Now it's time to concentrate on fishing.

Passed
 

Update... Passed inspection...