DIY front end work - W108? I need your knowledge and experience

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Hello friends,

I recently purchased a 1973 280SEL 4.5 with 59,000 miles. When I saw the car I got a chubby immediately and the sage advice of getting a PPI went out the window. The car started right up and drove beautifully for a test drive. After 1200 miles, one of my buddies told me he smelled gas and suggested it might be running rich, so I took the car to a shop that is familiar with the M117 engine/W108 Chassis. I asked for a 60,000 mile service and a thorough Post Purchase Inspection (PPI). The repair quote was $4,000.00.

Sticker shock:

My daily driver is a Porsche Carrera, so I am familiar with the cost of parts for a German car. I also know that expert mechanical labor is a bargain at $67.50 an hour. However, I was not prepared for a $4,000 expense with this car after owning it for two weeks.

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

My list of stuff to repair breaks down into 3 categories: (1) Worn front end parts to replace, (2) Leaking seals to replace, (3) Rear brake caliper and brakeline leaking.

This thread will focus on the Front End work, and I will post two more for the other stuff. I did a search and checked the DIY articles first to see if someone else might have already posted the knowledge and expertise needed to safely do this job. I plan to take photos and label them as I work my way through this job so future DIYers can benefit when they find this post.

I am absolutely fearless when it comes to car repair. I starting working on cars when I was sixteen and own most mechanical tools including an engine hoist and wheel alignment kit. What I don't have yet is the Mercedes Benz service manual for the W108, which is an obvious must have to work on the car. But, I worked on my 911 Carrera without the Porshce service manual, instead relying on the information available on Pelican Parts and the Haynes manual.

This is what the PPI says I need for the front end:

Replace tie rods left and right

Replace idler arm bushings

Replace steering damper

repack front wheel bearings

This is the list of parts:

Lemforder ~ OEM tie rod end - 000 338 52 10 and 000 338 50 10
Febi ~ Idler Arm Repair kit - 126 460 08 19
Sachs ~ OEM Steering Damper 000 463 51 32
Laso ~ Wheel Seal 003 997 93 46

The parts quote was $200.00 and the labor quote for this was $500.00, not all that much, but I want to do the work myself.

Where can I find the information I need to do the job? Is there a particular manual that has step-by-step instructions? Is there a page on the web with pictures? Is there a secret handshake or a German password? How do I avoid getting decappitated by the spring in the front end (reference to Bain8250)?

Thank you in advance!