For a 1990 300SEL (W126)


If I'm stopped with my foot on the brake, and I let up about 1/4", and press down about 1/4", I get an annoying "thunk".

I'm told I need brake rod support bearings. What exactly are they, and what other name do they go by? I've been looking at parts suppliers online (including Phil's) and I don't see any reference to such a thing. Maybe there is another name for it.

Thank you.

Try searching for guide rod instead of brake rod.

-tp

They come off the lower control arm, and mount to the chassis behind the suspension.

They are sometimes a bear to R&R, but if you jack up the control arm, alignment is easier.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Thank you, and thank you.

You will need to replace both of them, if one is clunking don't hear anything from the other its not far behind so do both it helps to tighten up the front end.. if you are going to do the job yourself measure the distance from the center of the back wheel to the center of the front wheel right it down when you replace the bearings you will have to set castor, using the dimention of the center wheels will put back this setting..
Bob

Thank you for the advice. Definitely sounds like way more than I can handle myself. Got an estimate from my shop of about $1,100 including the alignment - YIKES!!!!

I thought I might be able to save some money by buying the parts but I haven't been able to find them online. I'm sure I'm looking up the wrong name. Can you maybe send a link to a page that shows the parts?

strut rod bushing kit under suspension from ******** Arizona
Bob

Not that hard of a job to do, I just finished doing this. Two bolts hold the "bearing bracket" (looks like a dogbone) onto the car. Then the bearing bushing is held in with a cap on one end and screwed to the thrust rod on the other. Of course, depending on mileage, may be a good idea to redo the entire front suspension, which is what I ended up doing.

If all they are doing is replacing the two bearings and doing an alignment, that price is high. The parts are less than $200 and an alignment at the dealer is about $100. Maybe they are doing the two rubber bushings in the bracket while they are there - another $200 or so in parts?

Thank you both so much.
Bob - If what the shop told me I needed as brake rod support bearings is really "strut rod bushing" its no wonder I couldn't find the part listed as such.

markusfmeyer - I don't have a garage any more, and I'm getting too old to crawl under that car in this cold weather! And of course the shop price is high - this town is just full of overpriced mechanics. If I could find a decent, competent, reasonably priced one I wouldn't be broke all the time.

Where are you looking for a mechanic?

Someone here might have a suggestion of a good shop, if you'll say what nation and city!

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

Terrific idea - I never even thought of that.

I'm in Towson, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. I'd be happy to drive even farther for a good shop.