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Front suspention complete.
Well I just finished with the front suspension and steering assembly.
The right side went in very easily. Cleaned the wheel well area before assembling the suspension.
Today I took off the steering linkage. Right and left tie rod assembly, Center assembly, and rebuilt the Idle arm unit. All went well except for the center assembly. Removing the old center tie rod ball joint was a pain. The tie rod tool I have is the Harbor Freight unit http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36861
It works OK for ball joints that have the nut on the bottom. The center link has the nuts on the top and there is not enough room to use the tool. This tool would be better
http://www.samstagsales.com/images/hz779-1.jpg
Since I was going to replace everything I used a pickle fork to remove them, And of course it destroyed the boots.
The assemblies went together easily.
The idle arm required some creativity. To knock out the old bushings I used a 1/2 X 8 inch brass punch. This allowed me to remove the top bushing. But to get the bottom bushing out there was not enough room for the hammer, punch and enough swing room to strike the punch. To remove the races from the wheel hubs I had bought a 2 foot long piece of 1/4 inch brass ( which I did not use on the races ). From above the engine I could use the 2 foot long brass rod to drive out the lower bushing. I then cleaned the interior of the idle arm assembly with degreaser and a brake cylinder hone. The bushing were pressed in using the universal ball joint press
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38335
The idle arm assembly went together and I attached the center and both tie rod end assemblies.
Next I will re-attach the Brake booster and master cylinder after I bench bleed it ( took them out to replace the sway bar mount bushings ). Once I replace the rear rubber brake lines I will bleed the brake system and refresh all fluids.
Now to the rear suspension, wish me luck
Dave
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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car
Last edited by dmorrison; 03-29-2003 at 11:13 PM.
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