I was told during a recent dealer service on my 1995 E300D that the left/right front tie rods need replacing along with my drag link. I assume an alignment will be required based on past experience. I am curious if this is a basic DIY repair or would I be better off letting my mechanic do the work. I was quoted the following repair estimate :

Left front tie rod $130
Right front tie rod $130
Draglink $160
Alignment $127.50

gpg,

Usually only the tie rod ends need to be replaced. Very simple DIY job. You should be able to DIY for less than $30 each and save $200.

If you carefully measure the length of the old tie rods and make the tie rods with the new ends the same, alignment might not be required if it is OK now.

I don't know about the drag link.

Alignment sounds way to high priced. Last one I got was $40 + tax at an independent. Alignment worked fine.

P E H

If you can do the tie rods, the drag link should be no problem.

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2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
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'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

(left) M3000-16355 Tie Rod Assembly Lemforder IN STOCK $48.51
(right) M3000-16356 Tie Rod Assembly Lemforder IN STOCK $48.51
(center aka drag link) M3000-27165 Tie Rod Assembly Lemforder IN STOCK $56.84

While your at it this part wears:
M4000-36163 Steering Damper Sachs IN STOCK $34.25

You are getting ripped off, it sounds like your guy is buying parts from the dealer then marking them up some more. Lemforder is OE this is what is on your car now.

This is a very basic job, you will need a few wrenchs and a tie rod fork. Autozone rents them. Just measure the old ones and get the new ones close. Then get the front end aligned. $127 for an alignment is crazy I paid like $65, the dealer could probably do it for $100.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Gentlemen

Thanks for the prompt feedback. The repair sounds very strait forward. I plan to order the parts this week and think I will schedule the alignment at a independent shop once the job is completed. Based on Hatterasguy's recommendation I think I will replace the steering damper while I am at it. It appears I will need to rent a tie rod fork. Will this simplfy the parts replacement or does this help in basic alignment?
Any and all feeback appreciated.

Thanks Again

GP Gunhouse

I just went through this on my '92 300E. Prices you were quoted are crazy.

I wouldn't buy the ends. Buy brand new rods. This replacement is going to be good for a long time. The three tie rods are cheap, something like $40 each and maybe $50 for the center rod. Definitely get the steering dampener. Also I would get idler arm bushing kit.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be hammering a pickle fork on my suspension.
You need the proper removal tool, easy to find on the net, or maybe rent one. The kind with the bolt that presses the tie rod shaft out of the steering arm.

I would also caution you about taking the car to just any old alignment shop.$ 127 is high, but it varies by area . $79.95 at my MB dealer, but they do the job correctly, with the spreader bar.

Steve

gpg,

European automotive speciality had tie rod ends for about $16 each and free shipping. Why buy the entire tierod when you don't need it and pay more?

P E H

Because 90% of the rods up north are rusted. I'd rather pay the extra $12 for the rod and not spend an hour fighting with seized threads.

A lot of people don't like the forks but I don't see the problem with them. I used a mini sledge and the tie rods poped right apart. I don't think it is any worse then going over a few pot holes.


gpgunhouse the fork slips between the tie rod and pitman arms and wedges them apart. Without the fork or the other tool the tie rods are not coming apart. I am pretty sure Autozone rents these tools for pretty cheap or free. This is a simple job that took me maybe 2 1/2 hours start to finish. I didn't see and idler arm kit for you car on Fastlane, but do that to if you can find one. It should run about $30+/-.

W124's are pretty common any good shop should be able to align the front end. I took mine to a tire shop that has been around for 50 years they work on everything but do a bunch of W126's. If you are worried bring it to a good dealer.

I did all this stuff at the same time on my car and it made the steering feel nice and tight, also tracking on the highway is much better.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200