SD front end rebuild? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vegburner · #1 03-01-2006, 01:33 AM

Hi. I'm looking at an SD that needs front end work and I'm wondering what I might be getting into: how much time, money, etc.

What I hear is a substantial clunk from the front left wheel when stopping. I can feel it also. I also sense something loose but could not shake the wheel manually. Could this be ball joint? Probably not tie rod or something easy like that. Are there struts or what? Any ideas? What would a complete front end rebuild cost?

Thanks!

Randy

Diesel Giant · #2 03-01-2006, 05:40 AM

Ball joints, tire rod ends, idler arm bushing, shocks, etc. Are you going to try to do the work yourself?

vegburner · #3 03-01-2006, 09:52 AM

... not sure if I want to do it myself. Maybe. I don't have a good place to work on it right now so I'm considering hiring it done. Of those things listed what could "clunk"? Ball joint?

randy

Whiskeydan · #4 03-01-2006, 10:41 AM

Ball joints and guide rod bushings.

Hatterasguy · #5 03-01-2006, 01:37 PM

For everything? Probably about $600-$700 in parts and a weekend.

Figure Upper control arms, lower control arm bushings and ball joints. Sway bar bushings, Guide rod mounts, and the bushings in the subframe that holds them. Then two tie rods, the drag link, an idler arm rebuild kit and a steering shock.

Figure a new set of Bilstein shocks and inspecting and maybe replacing the wheel bearings.

boneheaddoctor · #6 03-01-2006, 01:56 PM

If you do the labor yourself I recomend doing a complete rebuild then take it over to any alignment shop equiped to do your car.....ask them specifically first. Then you have many years of service without worry ahead of you.

Pete Burton · #7 03-01-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

For everything? Probably about $600-$700 in parts and a weekend.

Figure Upper control arms, lower control arm bushings and ball joints. Sway bar bushings, Guide rod mounts, and the bushings in the subframe that holds them. Then two tie rods, the drag link, an idler arm rebuild kit and a steering shock.

Figure a new set of Bilstein shocks and inspecting and maybe replacing the wheel bearings.

don't forget UCA bushings, which are about $50 each

Hatterasguy · #8 03-01-2006, 02:20 PM

I thought the new upper control arms come with busings already in them?

kmaysob · #9 03-01-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I thought the new upper control arms come with busings already in them?

yes the uppers come with the bushings. i think he might be thinking of torsion bar bushing

Hatterasguy · #10 03-01-2006, 05:29 PM

Can't be there only like $10. Getting to them is where the challange is.

Pete Burton · #11 03-02-2006, 09:16 AM

I just bought some of this stuff from the dealer. The torsion(sway) bar bushings were only $1.78 each, while the UCA bushings were $49.70. I'd have to guess that a UCA with bushings would be around $200. If it's much less than that, I suppose you could consider it a "bargain"

kmaysob · #12 03-02-2006, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Burton

I just bought some of this stuff from the dealer. The torsion(sway) bar bushings were only $1.78 each, while the UCA bushings were $49.70. I'd have to guess that a UCA with bushings would be around $200. If it's much less than that, I suppose you could consider it a "bargain"

are you tellin me from the dealer the uca bushings dont come with the uca? if thats the case you got screwed by not going the fastlane rought. i bought my uca for like $80 each and they had the bushings

Pete Burton · #13 03-02-2006, 01:25 PM

I actually did call Phil on this one first. But what I HAD to have and quick was the torsion bar bushings. He said he'd have to special order them, so I felt I had to go to the dealer. At least they brought the parts right to my workplace. I should be more careful though, ouch