W126 What is This Bushing?
 

What do you call the wet bushing in the pics? Power steering fluid has been dripping onto it for quite some time and it is soft. Parts of it are coming apart. All other bushings and components are fine, including motor mount, but this one in particular looks shot and needs to be replaced.

It appears this is related to the brake bearing carrier - does this bushing affect alignment when braking? It would appear that this piece does not factor into the steering geometry the same way that the LCA, drag link, tie rods, etc. do. And so far my new tires are wearing perfectly evenly after about 5,000 miles of driving.

To replace, can I just remove the end cap and swap out the rubber piece?

Power steering box is out of the car and being resealed. Everything is still wet, and I will be degreasing shortly. Valve cover gaskets have been replaced and everything is nice and dry now. No more oil drips!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...DSCF0021-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...E/DSCF0022.jpg

Suspension bearing bracket bushings.

Look at this link:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/92874-diy-bearing-bracket-guide-rod-mount-replacement-mercedes-benz-300sd.html

Great link - I will have to study it in more detail.

The PO was a forum member and pretty much replaced everything before I got the car. Everything else looks great. This bushing had actually been replaced before I bought the car, but the leaky ATF from the PS pump ate it up. Only this bushing needs to be replaced. Do I still need to pull the whole bearing bracket, or can I just remove the end cap from the bushing and press in a new one?

Answer:
 

Vehicle: 1985 Mercedes Benz 300SD
Part: Bearing Bracket Bushing
Select one of the products from below
----------------------------------------
Bearing Bracket Bushing
Rear
downward torque
Rear position (rear) of suspension bearing bracket 126 333 12 43 or 126 333 13 43.
---------------------------------------
Bearing Bracket Bushing
Front
upward torque
Forward position (front) of suspension bearing bracket 126 333 12 43 or 126 333 13 43.


Have a great day.

Thanks Whunter. Can this piece be replaced without having to remove the whole bearing bracket?

Unless the ATF made real mush of the bushing it won't just come out easily. I had to use a press ( you could use a big hammer too- carefully ! ). That is why the bracket needs to come off the car. Replacing the bushing requires a lot of pressure to seat the new bushing correctly. A press or a big vice will do that. Good Luck...

Can this worn bushing affect my alignment? I assumed it would, however my new tires have about 5,000 miles on them now, and when I took the tire off to reseal the gearbox I examined it very closely and it is wearing perfectly evenly. This despite the fact that the car now pulls ever so slightly when I brake very hard. Could this bushing be causing that behavior?

Yes. Braking will 'pull' alignment if this bushing is soft.

Its a simple fix. Hardest part is unscrewing the track rod, counting the number of turns to get it back close to where it was.

Here's another link with pics of the last one I did.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/145762-w126-guide-rod-bushing-replacement.html

Thanks Whiskeydan, very helpful link. It looks like you didn't change the 2 rubber bushings on yours - can I just press those out and replace easily? Looks pretty straightforward...

I had to replace the same bushing on my 420SEL. I have a spring compressor so I removed the spring, unbolted the complete assembly and replaced the bushing. The old one was very mushy and I used some SYLGEL to help the new one in. I have a Harbor Freight 20 Ton press so help things along.

Check to make sure the rubber boot for the brake rod support bearing is OK otherwise you should also replace that as well. You can tell by a knocking sound under your feet when driving over speed bumps and potholes.