I just did this job on the driver's side of the 1984 300SD. Had the parts just in time for the really warm weekend two weeks ago. I have the parts for the passenger side too but decided not to deal with it this past weekend.

The reason I did this job was because the dust boots on the guide rod mount are ripped, and the mount was making some noise on slow rough roads.

The main tool you need to make this job work at home is a shop press. Got mine from Harbor Freight at a little over $100. It has paid for itself several times over.

Both of those bearing bracket mounts (some call them subframe mounts) need to be pressed out and the new ones pressed in. The guide rod mount also has to be pressed out and the new one pressed in. The parts are available here on FastLane. The guide rod mount kit includes nice new bolts.

You also need spray silicone to lubricate the new mounts before installation.

There is a cover over the back of the guide rod mount. Get the allen-wrench drive bolts loose first. Then remove the locking screw in the clamp on the screw-joint between the guide rod mount and the guide rod itself. Then take out the three bolts that hold an under-engine strut to the bearing bracket. Then drop the two big bolts that hold the bearing bracket to the frame. Now all you have to do is tediously screw the guide rod mount out of the guide rod. Assembly is the reverse. No need for any pulling or pushing of the control arm.

Pressing the old parts out of the bearing bracket is a piece of cake. Getting the new parts in takes some care, patience and liberal silicon lubrication. The hardest part to press back in is the guide rod mount because you need a piece of pipe just the right size to hold the bearing bracket (on the mount's bolt side) to press against.

No more guide rod mount noise. And when going over pavement joints, the driver's side is much quieter and transmits less shock to the body. Looking forward to warm weather to do the passenger side too.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles