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  #1  
Old 02-22-2014, 12:51 AM
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So Im driving along and...POP! 1972 280SEL

So I had just put some TLC into my 72 280SEL, and decided to hit the gas station for some gas. On my way home is a nice stretch of highway, so I thought I would stretch her legs a bit....Its been over a year for some highway speeds. I ran about 7 miles on the highway at about 70-80mph, hoping to blow out the cob-webs. This all went without a hitch till I made a wide left turn into my neighborhood and heard a POP, then some grinding noise. I immediately pulled to the side, expecting to see a flat tire...not the case. It was immediately apparent that there was some catastrophic failure. The whole car now leans to the left, and looks like a lowrider when looking at the drivers side. Being only a couple of blocks away, I babied her home. The steering wheel was a whole half a turn off, and the grinding noise was almost too much to bear. I slid her into the garage and looked around...couldn't see anything obvious without jacking. I guess that will be some of my Saturday fun! Hoping one of you Mega-Minds can point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!
Jason.

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  #2  
Old 02-22-2014, 06:59 AM
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Spring may have snapped. Be VERY careful when you are investigating.
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  #3  
Old 02-22-2014, 07:52 AM
GGR GGR is offline
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Sounds like a broken lower control arm. Look at where it liaises with the front subframe carrier. It happens when the bushing freezes due to lack of regular greasing. It can also be due to old grease having gone solid and blocking new grease from getting in.
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Old 02-22-2014, 03:05 PM
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So jacked the drivers front wheel, and was pretty obvious. The upper control arm broke at its pivot point as previously mentioned. I am going to assume there is other damage, hopefully nothing too outrageous!
Thanks for the input on this.http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/jkeith72/media/Mobile%20Uploads/8EBCB9FC-C09F-4F11-910C-68B94A62E0A7_zpslfd1ukd9.jpg.html][/URL]
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  #5  
Old 02-22-2014, 06:36 PM
GGR GGR is offline
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Wow! Never seen this! It's your kingpin that broke. Try to get a workshop manual or have someone lent it to you. The procedure to replace it is well described in it.
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  #6  
Old 02-22-2014, 07:47 PM
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I actually have a manual, funny I often forget to look at it. Probably because it's often more confusing than helpful...at least for me (configuration is sometimes a mystery).
Hoping the parts aren't too much. Might be a good idea to disassemble the passenger side as well...likely in similar condition..just glad it didn't break while I was doing 80!
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Old 02-22-2014, 10:27 PM
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If this has happened to your car there is a good chance that there is other parts of the the suspension which could fail. I would seriously look at a complete front suspension rebuild.
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Britton McIntyre

68 280 SE coupe 'Hairball'
70 280 SL
71 280 SEL - RIP May 2010
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Old 02-22-2014, 10:59 PM
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I agree. Since it will be apart, there will be some serious part scrutiny going on!
The good news is that the kit is only 155 for both sides (kingpin). I will need to find the other hardware and bushing kit as well. With any luck I will order all of this from Pelican and support them.
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  #9  
Old 02-23-2014, 07:05 PM
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Since you drove home in its present condition. I would be surprise if the lower control not damaged (twisted).
I was thinking of a complete disassembly of everything. Replace all of the rubber bushings on the torsion bar, control arms, knuckle, and steering. If there was failure because of wear then it is a guaranteed that there is bad wear somewhere else.
Several years ago I had a lower control arm fail on my 108. Here is the link.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/210971-suspension-failure-rebuild.html
It was a lot of work but the result was unbelievable. A complete transformation of the handling and ride.
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Britton McIntyre

68 280 SE coupe 'Hairball'
70 280 SL
71 280 SEL - RIP May 2010

Last edited by twinockchef; 02-23-2014 at 07:27 PM.
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  #10  
Old 02-23-2014, 07:13 PM
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*****SIDE NOTE****
I would recommend buying Mercedes OEM rubber. It may be more expensive but it is a higher quality product and it will last longer.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
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Britton McIntyre

68 280 SE coupe 'Hairball'
70 280 SL
71 280 SEL - RIP May 2010
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  #11  
Old 02-23-2014, 07:40 PM
GGR GGR is offline
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I initially thought your control arm had failed as shown on twinockchef's picture:



Like he said, I would consider taking everything apart and check/replace everything as per needed. You should take the lower control arms and suspension springs out while all is still in the car to use the weight of the car: put the front of the car on stands, put a jack under the lower control arms, loosen bolts and shock absorber and lower the jack. That's a good way to get the springs out in a controlled manner. Then you can put another stand under the oil pan with a wooden plank in between. You can then drop the rest of the front axle.

Once you're done with the front including steering linkages etc., you will be ready to replace all rubbers on the back axle! I'm only half kidding, you won't believe the difference in ride, handling and comfort.
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  #12  
Old 02-24-2014, 05:25 PM
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WOW! I've never saw one break, lot's of lower control though.

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