71' 280se 4.5 right lower control arm

[tjohnson]

Posted the other day "no ignition key".......anyway, took the advice and went by the Mercedes dealership with the title and ordered the new key ($35 just like you guys said!). The old girl is here at its new home. The right lower control arm is broken and I started looking around for a replacement. Any suggestions on a good parts house for this part? Also any tips on removal and reassembly would be appreciated. thanks again gentlemen

[cth350]

On disassembly, the spring is compressed with potentially leathal force, so be careful here.

Put the front end on jack stands and disconnect the stabilizer link and the tie rod. Also remove the tire.

The best tool to have is a special saddle for your jack that is shaped like a "V" that can hold the inner control arm's pivot pin. I had one made by a welder for 10$ ages ago using a piece of round stock to match the original saddle of my jack.

Put your jack directly below the spring. You can remove the four bolts that hold the lower arm from the axle and let the arm down by lowering the jack. Ideally, you want the jack to roll as the spring pushes down on the A-arm. That means position the wheels to roll side-to-side rather than front-to-back.

On reassembly, use a long extension rod to guide the pivot back up to the axle.

-CTH

[tjohnson]

The "saddle" is a good safety idea....will do that! I found the part for $35 out of Georgia. Also read many good posts on this fix. thanks again for the help

[tjohnson]

here is the way the former owner's wrecker service managed to do a "road repair"to get it home. Replacement part will be here in a few days.