Quote:
Originally Posted by w123fanman
For pressing the bushings, I would suggest calling around to shops to see what they would charge, I had mine done for $140 which was the 4 subframe mounts and the 4 rear lower control arm bushings. I did have to remove everything including the diff and axles from the subframe to do it. I did have to shop around to find a shop that could even do it (called 2 dozen places) then to find one that would do it at a reasonable price. A Mercedes shop I went to who claimed on the phone to have a full Mercedes and BMW bushing press/puller kit wanted $600 to "attempt" to press in the bushings (they didn't have the full kit), so don't let people BS you around. The place I finally went was an old timey mechanic shop with a full machine shop, they mainly worked on domestic cars. They didn't have the correct Mercedes tools but did an excellent job. The machinist said it was a PITA but enjoyed the challenge and told me "if you have anything else interesting to work on, bring it to me".
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The part of this project that has me the most worried is the rear subframe bushings. I intend to try to rent or buy the correct press or puller, but I don't really know what I'm doing in this regard, and don't have much of a back up plan if things go wrong. There is one Benz shop in town that I suspect could probably do it - he has a machine shop in-house - but I don't know about getting the subframe so far apart that I could easily transport it.
The other part that has me a little worried is the steering box R&R, because it's just sort of hard to visualize - is it just up on the other side of the driver's side wheel well? Also, it seems pretty fiddly from what I've been reading. Also, is it worth paying to have the "new" used box rebuilt before installing it? No idea how many miles are on the thing. Some folks say you just really need to change one seal, and that it's DIYable.
I should have access to a lift (on base), and am thinking about just renting a stall out for the week or so and taking my time.