Hi all,

I recently moved to CA from the United Kingdom, and I've bought a 1984 300D Turbodiesel (my first car!). It's a beautiful car and a pleasure to drive. I'm planning on looking after it as best I can afford (I had the sunroof out last weekend, new fuses, some new seals, detinted the salvaged door etc). I was assured mechanically it had been looked after, and that is certainly true for the engine, but not so for the front end suspension it seems!

After noticing a pull towards the right whilst driving, I took it down for alignment. Unfortunately I am told it needs new:

Lower ball joints $601
Upper control arms $380
Front shocks $241
Rear shocks (can wait) $476
Idler $156
Dampner $120
2x front tires $120
Alignment $90

This stomach churning total is approaching what I paid for the car... I fully expected some cost associated with maintaining an old car but this... hmm.
Do these numbers seem reasonable? Are any of these parts easily doable at home, I looked over the guides and saw that a press is needed for some of the front end rebuilt, and I'm not so keen on that.

Any advice, is greatly appreciated!

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