Seeking opinions on suspension condition - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KAdams4458 · #1 05-23-2007, 05:07 AM

I'm looking at this and thinking that attempting to install tie rods and a drag link on a car with a suspension in this condition would be a waste of an alignment. Take a look at this, and tell me what you think. I think trying to use bushings that look like that is just a death sentence for the new tires. And what's up with the shock absorber?

Here's my front right suspension:

*EDIT* Photos added.

With all of the dirt out of the way, things don't look so bad. The photos are all of the Passenger side, but the driver side appears identical, save for a newer looking lower ball joint. (Black boot instead of translucent.) Tell me what you think.

And a completely unrelated photo of my wife/beautiful assistant. Yeah... How many of you have this kind of wife?

Well, let's hear what you have to say!

t walgamuth · #2 05-23-2007, 05:59 AM

the bushing doesn't look that bad to me, but the shock is long past gone. replacing the shock will make it ride like a completely different car.

tom w

Ara T. · #3 05-23-2007, 06:50 AM

How are your tires wearing? Inside tire wear on the front tires? I was getting that really bad until I replaced the upper control arms and got an alignment.

Lets see your lower control arm bushings, i am curious to see if they are as nasty as mine.

I am guessing your upper ball joint will split soon (within the year?), but its hard to tell from just a photo. I say that because mine looked like that and eventually split and leaked grease 2 years later.

rs899 · #4 05-23-2007, 07:03 AM

I don't see anything really bad there, but as suggested above, the bottom end is more telling- the LCA bushings, guide rod mounts ( both ends) and lower ball joints. Take some pix of those.

Rick

t walgamuth · #5 05-23-2007, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

How are your tires wearing? Inside tire wear on the front tires? I was getting that really bad until I replaced the upper control arms and got an alignment.

Lets see your lower control arm bushings, i am curious to see if they are as nasty as mine.

I am guessing your upper ball joint will split soon (within the year?), but its hard to tell from just a photo. I say that because mine looked like that and eventually split and leaked grease 2 years later.

i think you meant to say your ball joint boot split. these are replacable separately from the actual ball joint. you can save a lot of money doing this if your boots are bad but the joint is still tight.

tom w

Ara T. · #6 05-23-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i think you meant to say your ball joint boot split. these are replacable separately from the actual ball joint. you can save a lot of money doing this if your boots are bad but the joint is still tight.

tom w

Yeah, upper control arms are dirt cheap though.

vstech · #7 05-23-2007, 11:20 AM

I would not call 90.00 "dirt cheap"
you do have a lot of dirt on your upper suspension, but the bushings look very good. my UCA bushings look worse than your sway bar bushings do... and I have no tire wear.
try this. go to a car wash and pressure wash all the components under there, then take new pictures without all the dirt.
you may be very surprised on the condition of the joints etc.
John

Ara T. · #8 05-23-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I would not call 90.00 "dirt cheap"
you do have a lot of dirt on your upper suspension, but the bushings look very good. my UCA bushings look worse than your sway bar bushings do... and I have no tire wear.
try this. go to a car wash and pressure wash all the components under there, then take new pictures without all the dirt.
you may be very surprised on the condition of the joints etc.
John

I'd say 90 bucks is dirt cheap for a major suspension component on a Mercedes. (I got both control arms for 80 bucks). Plus it came with everything I needed, and I didn't have to worry about whether or not the joint had gotten compromised since who knows how long the boot had burst.

KAdams4458 · #9 05-23-2007, 01:06 PM

Thanks, folks.

Aside from the ball joints on the tie rods and drag link, I couldn't find any noticeable slop. It's hard to say what the front tire wear is, since the car is new to me, one front tire was replaced by the PO right before I bought the car, and the other is basically bald all over. I'll take some more photos.

The rear suspension has me a little concerned, as it looks as though both tires are worn severely on the inside edges, which makes me wonder about the subframe bushings.

I'll pull out the pressure washer and take some more photos.

As for shocks, does anyone care to make a recommendation of brand and normal/heavy duty?

KAdams4458 · #10 05-24-2007, 10:57 AM

Added some pictures of freshly cleaned parts to the first post...

vstech · #11 05-24-2007, 11:08 AM

yeah, clean usually gives you a better view of things.
that upper ball joint looks like it may be close to gone. the lower control arm bushing looks worn too.
I do not see a pic of the lower ball joint.
I would not mess with the suspension just yet. nothing looks BAD, so if you need a tie rod, get it changed, and have the alignment shop tell you of other things.
usually they will not align a car if components are worn out.
John

KAdams4458 · #12 05-24-2007, 11:54 AM

All of the boots look decent, and I can't find any slop in any ball joints, with the exception of the tie rods, drag link, and idler arm. While the deeper portions of the suspension are certainly worn, I think I'll wait until something gets obviously loose before I dig any further than the idler arm and tie rods.

Thanks for the help. Feel free to post other thoughts.

patbob · #13 05-24-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAdams4458

It's hard to say what the front tire wear is, since the car is new to me, one front tire was replaced by the PO right before I bought the car, and the other is basically bald all over.

...

The rear suspension has me a little concerned, as it looks as though both tires are worn severely on the inside edges, which makes me wonder about the subframe bushings.

For the front tires, can you put some pieces of masking tape, or maybe duct tape, across the tread and drive it a few miles? The tape should scuff and wear really fast (if it doens't come off) and thus indicate if the tire is getting significantly skewed wear. I've been thinking of trying this myself, but haven't had time yet, so I don't know if it would work or not... perhaps this weekend when it isn't raining

Also, which year/model is your car? I'm not very versed at guessing based on suspension components

.

If it's a 123 like mine, which has essentially unadjustable rear suspension, then I'd be suprised if the subframe bushings could cause significant inner tire wear. I'd suspect the springs back there might have sagged a bit instead, or the previous owner drove it around with a ton of extra weight in the trunk all the time. 'course, what do I know

KAdams4458 · #14 05-24-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patbob

For the front tires, can you put some pieces of masking tape, or maybe duct tape, across the tread and drive it a few miles? The tape should scuff and wear really fast (if it doens't come off) and thus indicate if the tire is getting significantly skewed wear. I've been thinking of trying this myself, but haven't had time yet, so I don't know if it would work or not... perhaps this weekend when it isn't raining

Also, which year/model is your car? I'm not very versed at guessing based on suspension components

.

If it's a 123 like mine, which has essentially unadjustable rear suspension, then I'd be suprised if the subframe bushings could cause significant inner tire wear. I'd suspect the springs back there might have sagged a bit instead, or the previous owner drove it around with a ton of extra weight in the trunk all the time. 'course, what do I know

Hey, you probably know more than I do at this point. While I'm not new to wrenching on things, and have done it for a living, I have no experience with Mercedes.

The car is a '77 300D, as stated in my signature.

I suppose I should have been specific about that in the post as well.

The tire thing may be worth trying. I wouldn't trust the existing tires as far as I could throw them. I have four new tires, but need to pick up two 6.5X14 Bundts so that I have four matching rims and a spare. I might try the tape idea after the alignment, just to see how things are really working. I'd hate to destroy four new tires if I don't have to.

winmutt · #15 05-24-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patbob

If it's a 123 like mine, which has essentially unadjustable rear suspension, then I'd be suprised if the subframe bushings could cause significant inner tire wear.

There have been a few posts about that problem being caused by that specifc issue.