So i guess its time to change these
 

wow, man oh man
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...totry/boot.jpg

:eek: wow. lucky they didnt break

Wow.

Definitely use a quality rubber :D

the funny thing is, with the exception of a little play, the car tracks fine, and i feel no bumps in the road. it rides so smooth.

now if i can only find out what is roaring.

Nah good for another 100k!:D

Hey! Your's still has rubber around it! Definitely good for another 100k, maybe even 150! :D

The PO of mine had neglected the car to the point that the left side had nothing but a couple of flaps left on both ball joints. It also clunked on bumps, rattled back and forth, etc....

Happy wrenching!

I don't see what is wrong with that tie rod? My Father and I replaced mine and as soon as they were installed, the little rubber pieces had those cracks(and the paint on the rubber came off too)

I replaced my tie rods 'cause the rubber was a little hard. :)

Neon, cracking isn't normal. My oldass ones weren't cracked in any way.

mabe they replaced them with used ones :)

Compulsive Maintenance???
 

Perhaps you should look into the Excessive/Compulsive Maintenance Disorder.....some folks hereabouts seem a tad bit infected......:D

SB

Nope-- They were new. I'll get a picture tomorrow. Could be mistaking them for something else.

Everything on the car beyond: filters, brakepads(the rotors may even be original) engine mounts and tie rods is from 1979.

Oh... and the complete stereo system:)

i was wondering what the name for that disorder was called. thought i was the only one noticing . . . thanks for sharing.
davidh:D

Maybe. But i'm always a bit paranoid at how steady the prices on these MB parts will be. Suppose those tie rods would have lasted 10 years. Would a tie rod still cost a paltry 30 bucks a pop? In 10 years a lot of folks will have junked their W123 when something big breaks.

30 bucks? where are you finding them that cheap. the cheapest i see is 45. thats not too much more, but with all the work im doing already, a guy could stand a little savings. maybe i will change these in the next few weeks. if it improves the handling/ride, then i think i may have one of the smoothest front ends ever. (minus the slight play)

my wife calls it automotive hypocondria everytime I say we need to order parts for one of the rides. She thinks she can fix anything just by turning up the stereo:D