S320 tie rod and fan clutch questions... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

amosfella · #1 11-10-2009, 05:33 AM

I went to the local shop today to ask if they could put new tires on, and if they would align the front end.... The mechanic told me that the tie rod ends are shot, and have more play than I should be going with....
He knows that he won't' get extra work from it with me as I"ll probably replace them myself. We have that kind of understanding, so he has little reason to lie. But there was a bit more play than I would have liked anyways.
So, I'm looking to order, and have 2 brand choices. Karlyn and Lemfoerder. Which would last better?? I'm leaning toward the lems, but not sure if the others would last better. I doubt they would if price is an indication...
Also, on the 95 s320, is the regular fan clutch good, or is there a clutch form a newer engine that would fit, and would work better?? Possibly a better fan as well?? The fan freewheels at operating temp of the engine. At least the temp according to the gauges....
Thank you very much in advance for your time and advice...

mbdoc · #2 11-10-2009, 08:08 AM

Use Lemfoerder front end & steering parts, they are OE.

The fan clutch should lock-up at approx 95C, doubt that the radiator ever gets that hot except in June, July, or August.

amosfella · #3 11-10-2009, 12:54 PM

According to the gauge, it was close to 97 C...

amosfella · #4 11-10-2009, 01:17 PM

Now, I have a heat gun, and could check the temperature at the clutch and see if it should be engaging or not. Is there a good place to aim the heat gun at??

amosfella · #5 11-11-2009, 12:31 PM

today, I took and covered the front end of the car with a cloth tarp to warm it up, and ran that car till the aux fans cut in. Then I shut the car down. The clutch had cut in, but it wasn't too hard to spin with the car off. I could spin it about half a turn without too much effort. The clutch had a heat reading of 80, and the shaft area of the drive pulley read 82C... Are those signs that the fan clutch needs to be replaced?

300EE320 · #6 11-11-2009, 06:14 PM

Is it overheating, or are you just trying to confirm that the clutch is working?

amosfella · #7 11-11-2009, 07:06 PM

During the summer it would get warmer than I'm comfortable with in stop and go traffic. Even with the AC off... it was around 110 -115C on a 25C day.... It woudl cool right down when I was driving on the highway...
As I need tie rods anyways, and it wouldn't cost much more for shipping, I was going to add it to the order if it was needed... I order parts from the US. The Canadian prices are a rip off...