Ok, I have a slight "blumpclounck"..(love these sound effects!!) when I turn my wheel at very slow speeds...also when I hit a slight bump at very slow speed. It is on the passenger side.I pulled rims and shook, rattled, moved all the parts and I think I have isolated the problem but now I have no idea as to what to do to fix.

The problem appears to be 1) the trackrod was slightly loose at the wheel knuckle and could pop back and forth a little when moved. I tightened...and 2) the intermediate arm appears to be loose as I can wiggle it slightly. It appears to be loose on the mounting end e.g. the BIG bolt(pivot??) end that is covered by a heat shield.

What should I do here. Should I get new parts and replace the pivot bolt and the track rod balljoints? In other words is there something in there that fails..hence the wiggle...or am I just a victim of a loose bolt. Also how hard is it to r&r these items....I am fairly competent DYI'r. I have handled most bolt on replacements on my 300E(brakes, alternator, water pump etc) and have a fairly comprehensive tool collection....any tools I should have to do this job that are out of the oridnary?? Thanks much!!

It would really be nice if we had parts pictures so we could all be on the same wavelength when talking about suspensions. So much different terminology.

I think you are talking about tierods and/or idler arm bushings. The problem with tie rods are they have tapered ends and require some manner of tools or technique to get apart (puller, pickle fork, hammer technique,etc.). The idler arm can be done with simple tools and technique.

Don't forget to check out the front sway bar bushings. A notorious problem, at least on W124 chassis, and will cause funny thunking noises over small bumps. I replaced mine at 75,000 miles and the noise went away. They tend to last about 70-80,000 miles at best.

your front end loosness
 

Hi,

I had this happen to my '86 300E. the Tie Rod end(on the end near the tire) got loose, as well as the Drag link(that's the long bar that goes from pitman arm to idler arm(pittman arm is on your steering box, idler on passenger side)). It was a simple matter to lift the car, unfasten the nuts, and use a pickle fork to seperate the arm. Then of course attach in the new parts, then of course get the whole rig aligned at a shop VERY familiar with MB's. Some may say don't use a pickle fork to seperate the parts, as it ruins the part you are taking off, but if you are replacing it anyway....you get the picture. While you are at it you may want to replace the steering damper, very easy to do.


Good luck!!!
Evan Lewis
1986 300E
140,0000miles