What's a good order to start checking front susp. parts on '85 300D? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

soydrivermatt · #1 10-20-2004, 01:51 PM

Working through problems on this thing, when I get to the suspention, what should I look at first? That car pulls to the right, and has lots of play in the steering wheel. Anybody know what order is best for working through the system?

boneheaddoctor · #2 10-20-2004, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soydrivermatt

Working through problems on this thing, when I get to the suspention, what should I look at first? That car pulls to the right, and has lots of play in the steering wheel. Anybody know what order is best for working through the system?

Check tie rod ends.......check boots on ball joints too, check for wear on those, and for wheel bearings being loose. Any cracked boots or wear, replace them.

Me? tie rods got some play, but not ball joints, grease boots are cracked so I am rebuilding entire front end. I want to be in there once and once only.

dieseldiehard · #3 10-20-2004, 02:33 PM

boneheaddoctor has the right approach. I piddled with my balljoints and drag lilnks, to fix sloppy steering issue on a '79 300TD. It still had some slop that was unacceptable. I finally took it to an Indy that would do the work with customer supplied parts, and had the upper control arms replaced at his suggestion, the car now handles like it should. New shocks too.
Later I had him replace the sway bar bushings (located near the firewall) took care of a grunting noise the car used to make. I should have had everything done all at once, even if I had to scrape to get all the $$ necessary.

boneheaddoctor · #4 10-20-2004, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

boneheaddoctor has the right approach. I piddled with my balljoints and drag lilnks, to fix sloppy steering issue on a '79 300TD. It still had some slop that was unacceptable. I finally took it to an Indy that would do the work with customer supplied parts, and had the upper control arms replaced at his suggestion, the car now handles like it should. New shocks too.
Later I had him replace the sway bar bushings (located near the firewall) took care of a grunting noise the car used to make. I should have had everything done all at once, even if I had to scrape to get all the $$ necessary.

Exactly what I am ready to do, finally got the last of the parts to completely redo the front end. Everything thats greased and every bushing, seal and bearing. Except shocks which are fine anyway.

tomm9298 · #5 10-20-2004, 02:36 PM

Very good advice Doctor!!! After I first got the Fiat I was doing the sports car thing, going through a tight turn very fast. Oooops, lost the left lower ball joint half way through the curve!!!

The wheel luckily folded under the frame and kept me from crushing the front end. It also tended to slow me down alot. The only thing that needed replacement, other than the ball joint, was the shock. I tore the entire front end out of that car and replaced every part!!! Ball joints, tie rods, center link, et al. Loosing control of the steering while driving is not a good feeling. Front end parts are less costly than a car.

boneheaddoctor · #6 10-20-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomm9298

Very good advice Doctor!!! After I first got the Fiat I was doing the sports car thing, going through a tight turn very fast. Oooops, lost the left lower ball joint half way through the curve!!!

The wheel luckily folded under the frame and kept me from crushing the front end. It also tended to slow me down alot. The only thing that needed replacement, other than the ball joint, was the shock. I tore the entire front end out of that car and replaced every part!!! Ball joints, tie rods, center link, et al. Loosing control of the steering while driving is not a good feeling. Front end parts are less costly than a car.

Luckily you did not end up crossing over into oncoming traffic as a result.

I feel no slack at the wheel but I do from under the car and can see the play in the tie rod ends. So by the time you notice it in the wheel you are in danger of dropping something at any time. Besides alignments aren't cheap and you will be doing it after each time you replace something.

Think about that cost and suddenly doing everything at once doesn't seem so expensive.