Suspension Bearing Bracket guide rod mount replacement
on the 1985 300SD
by whunter
4/27/04


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USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Personal opinion; even I do not like doing guide rods, with a full auto shop and hoist.


*Bearing Bracket guide rod mount replacement for Mercedes Benz 300SD.*

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1) Raise and support front end.
2) Remove front wheels.
3) Loosen the clamp on #14 in picture.

picture

4) Remove the bracket that joins the Left and Right Bearing Brackets.

picture

5) Remove the two bolts per side that hold the Bearing Bracket mounts to the body.
Note: this is where maximum difficulty is normal, due to the nut retaining tabs coming apart, please scroll down to Image-1 and Image-2.
Extreme precautions must be exercised if an oxygen acetylene torch is used.

picture

6) Unscrew the guide rod mount from the guide rod.

guide rod picture 6 and 15

7) Unscrew the four bolts from the Bearing Bracket backing plate.

picture 7 and 14

8) Press the guide rod mount from the Bearing Bracket.
9) Clean the guide rod mount pocket of the Bearing Bracket, the old steel sleeve must be removed to a clean aluminum surface.
10) Grease the Bearing Bracket pocket, axle grease is ok.
11) Grease the guide rod mount tension sleeve, axle grease is ok.

picture 11 and 12

12) Press the guide rod mount by the sleeve; into the Bearing Bracket, stop when it is flush or roughly one mm above the surrounding surface.

picture 11 and 12

13) Install the rubber impact buffer pad between the rear of the guide rod mount and the Bearing Bracket cover, finger tighten the four cover bolts.

picture

14) Tighten the four bolts in the Bearing Bracket backing plate.

picture 7 and 14

15) Screw the guide rod mount into the guide rod.

guide rod picture 6 and 15

16) Install and tighten the bolts that hold the Bearing Bracket to the body.
17) "Loose" install all the bolts that hold the bracket joining the guide rod mounts.
18) Tighten all the bolts for the bracket joining the Left and Right Bearing Bracket.
19) Tighten the clamp on #14 in picture.

picture

20) Install front wheels.
21) Remove front end supports and lower car.
22) Torque front wheel bolts.

If the Suspension Bearing Bracket is too corroded inside, don't repair or replace the guide rod mount, get a NEW Suspension Bearing Bracket !!!

Note: this part number is the same for all W126 chassis.

Here are pictures of the old parts:

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Image-1


Image-2


Image-3


Image-4


Image-5


Image-6


Image-7

Attached Thumbnails