I looked at a 1987 300SDL Saturday. I think I want to get it, but I am concerned about working on the suspension. It had a bit of a roll so it in the turns and you could hear a little bit of groaning from the suspension. I have never worked on the suspension on any car that I have owned and am wondering what I would be getting myself into, cash and time wise. I tend to try to do all of my own work unless there are special tools or skills required.

I've spent a few hours searching, but have not really found the answer to what I am asking.

Thanks,

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

Working on suspension is quite a generic statement. It's similar to stating "working on an engine".

You may need to do some shock or upper control arm replacement. Or possibly the stabilizer bar bushings. This is not difficult.

Next step up is the guide rod bushings.........much more work and not all that easy.

Finally, if you're going to do lower control arm bushings, or the forward guide rod bushing or the lower ball joint, the spring must be removed with the proper tools and you'll have to be prepared for removing the various components with a suitable press. This would be the final level of difficulty.

None of it is impossible.........just takes more time than you typically plan for.

FWIW, I've got to get into the level III work on the SD soon. It'll be out of service for a month, I'm sure.

Yep, very generic. Right now I don't have the vocabulary built up to even describe what is going on. When I drove it I noticed that it just didn't feel tight. I was not really bad, but it did have a bit of a sloppy, roll feeling to it. Not nearly as tight as my 87 300D.

That said, it did have completely new brakes. Then engine compartment also looked like it was in better shape. I didn't realize how rough mine looked until I saw this one. Not to mention the ROOM! Room in the engine compartment. Wider cabin. More room in the back seat. Bigger trunk. I has the same engine as my 87 300D so I will not have to relearn everything for that. They are even the same color! After that all I will need is an 87 190D in Gray with black leather...

These things are like crack! My driveway already looks like a parking lot and I want one more MB!
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan gasser - everyone fits in here, plus it has a new engine thanks to diesel fuel in a regular unleaded underground tank at a gas station.
2001 Dodge 1500 gasser - the only thing that can pull my boat
1996 17ft Allison center console fishing boat
1994 Mazda Protege gasser- 27 mpg in town, 33+ on the highway. Had it since new.
1987 MB 300D

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

........tell me about it.........

yep...same here... I'm actually driving an hour north again this Sunday to view a 300d thats $350 and needs a little work, sway link...front tires...shocks...otherwise its supposed to be in pretty good (and definatly drivable) shape...we'll see...this will be 300d #3 that I have looked at. My quest to get one continues...at the very least I'd like to find a winter beater so I can keep my SD out of the snow now that I've taken care of/stopped all rust issues. I'd not mind a stick 240 either....just has to run and have functioning heat.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)