Hey guys,

When I replace the idler arm kit on my 1990 300E, do I need to have an alignment done?

Can't answer question about alignment, but can warn you that getting the large bolt back in through the new bushing is very difficult. Now maybe I missed something obvious. However, after easily getting old bolt and bushing out, I simply could not get the new bolt back in. There is interference. I finally put the bolt in upside down and drove it my indy, who got it in.

I suspect that replacing the bushing would not affect alignment.

Just my experience on '92 300E .

Steve

Indie replaced mine on my 93 300E a few months ago...no alignment needed.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

The trick to getting the bolt out is to knock the top and bottom bushings up and out of the tube while the bolt is still in there [ with the nut off , of course].. This allow yo to angle the bolt in the tube now for removal...when r/r the new one you do the same with the top one and then squeeze the bottom in with channel locks..
No alignment changes , except if you had an alignment recently with a worn one..

i cut the head of the bolt off and it slipped down.. then put the bolt in upside down..

no alignment...

that said... when i invest nearly 600 dollars in to a nice set of michelins some months later, I got an alignment.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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Note about putting the new bolt in upside down. When I did this a year or so ago and posted same on another forum, I was warned by two shop owners that the bolt must be put back in correctly.

On Arthur's tip, I had no problem removing the bushings and the bolt. However, on re-installation I tried every variation, including the one he mentioned. I simply couldn't get the bolt in.

Let us know how it goes.

Steve

I am going to be under the car this weekend, but I will double check.

Some board gurus and MB techs have heartedly endorsed the upside down bolt procedure.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

No problem.
They think the nut loosens, the bolt will fall out .. There are hundreds of bolts on a car that have the nuts on top. If it is tightened to spec, it will be fine.....

I pretty much did as Artur Dalton described - had no problems.

Did use a liitle liquid soap on top bushing when re-installing, but otherwise things went smoothly.

You must drop the exhaust to replace that bolt on a 6 cyl MB, such as my 300SE. On the V8's, there is more room.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

If I recall correctly, I also think that is a locking nut in that setup. At any rate, my original set of fasteners went 275,000 miles and it was stiff as heck when I went to replace mine.

My experience apparently was different than some. The bolt came out reasonably simply once the exhaust shield was removed. With some angling, and a bit of dishwash soap on the upper bushing, I was able to relatively easily reinstall bolt in proper position. The bottom nut was also a one-time use nut, if I recall correctly.

I wonder if the fact that I had the car up on stands - both front wheels off the ground makes a difference in ease of removal/re-installation? Maybe everyone does not do this ???

It went just as it should have for your model. As I said , the trick is to give angle room by pushing the bushings out.

When I replaced mine, I did what Arthur mentioned. When getting the bolt in the correct way, I was able to move the exhaust ever so slightly and the bolt went right in.

__________________
1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

This trick is applicable to 124 chassis.
A poster compares it to 126 chassis..it is not meant for 126 chassis , and was not posted pertaining to a 126 chassis............ just to clarify