While installing chrome wheels (purchased from a great forum member I might add!) on my '86 300E I noticed on the passenger side an exposed "knuckle" in the steering linkage connecting a 6" rod to the wheel assembly. The car has roughly 205,000 miles. What parts should be replaced at this point in the vehicle's life, in the steering mechanism, to be assured of safety? I'll be taking it to a shop very shortly and don't want to get ripped off for parts I don't really need, but want to make it right.

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1996 SL320 97K miles
1996 C220 130k miles
1992 500SEL 170k miles <---sold
1986 300E 216k miles <---sold

Unless you have too much play at the steering wheel, I'd not expect that you need anything but a new tie rod on that side (but check the other boots on the other side and the drag link, too).

Worst case would be tie rods and drag link plus new bushings in the idler arm housing. Total cost for parts should be less than $300 (on FastLane, shop will charge list).

Replacing the whole tie rod rather than just the one end will probably be cheaper -- getting the end off nearly defeated me! Much faster to just pop the whole thing off and replace.

Peter

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!