In what order should I do these jobs?

[jriewer]

I’ve got major work to do on the front end of my ’87 420SEL.
What’s the best order to remove and replace these parts considering Im doing this all at the same time. If all goes well I figure the car will be of the jacks stands by Thanksgiving..


Replace upper control arms
Replace guide rods
Replace lower ball joints
Replace idler arm bushing
Replace tie rods
Replace steering damper
Replace front shocks

Thanks

[sixto]

I don't know about order but you might as well do the steering items in one go and the suspension items in another go, then get the car aligned.

Steering items:

Replace idler arm bushing
Replace tie rods
Replace steering damper
- is your drag link/center link okay?

Suspension items:

Replace upper control arms
Replace guide rods
Replace lower ball joints
Replace front shocks
- are the guide rod mounts okay?
- are the sway bar end and middle bushings okay?

There's probably an order to the suspension items but I don't know what it would be.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[sbourg]

The way I would approach this is to do one SIDE at a time, and pretty much everything on that side at once. It should be apparent on disassembly what needs to be removed, and once all the parts are off - the correct reassembly order.

Steve