What a difference that made - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

CarreraDan · #1 09-04-2007, 08:06 PM

Guys,
I have slowly working on resurecting my g/f's 82 300D (127k miles) after it has set in a barn for just under five years. I have done all of my own work so far as I really enjoy playing with older German cars (spent 4 yrs working on my Carrera). The car has been doing great since I replaced the motor mounts--I had the "special" two piece ones, both were split and majorly deformed. I knew the suspension wasn't in the best of shape but I decided to live with it for now, well that is until today.

I decided to let a local suspension shop handle this project since I don't have a lot of time right now and I didn't have a spring compressor that would work. I had new lower control arm bushings, ball joints, upper control arms, and torsion bar bushings all replaced. Tie rods and shocks are ok. They also adjusted all the play out of the steering wheel and did a full alignment. The differce is night and day, the car drives and rides completely different. I don't have any groaning noises over bumps and the pull to the left when braking is gone. I even managed to go down the interstate and stay in my lane this time. Seriously, I have only driven the car around town b/c it was a handful above 55mph. I figured the lower control arm was moving durning braking causing the pull, the old bushings were toast and I put new calipers and lines in earlier.

Two more projects left, CV joints and address the a/c as it needs a recharge and then the Benz is going to be my daily driver and it can start paying me back in gas savings for all my time and effort. Price for everything was very fair at $425 for labor and I am satisfied with the results, I got the parts from Fastlane. If your front suspension is worn out go ahead and replace the bushings as you will be impressed with the results.

Uncle Possum · #2 09-04-2007, 11:47 PM

How much were all the parts, and was the suspension shop a local shop, or a chain like Mienke? Also, did the lshop have any problem installing parts you didn't buy from them?

This is something I want to do for my SD, I know it will restore the ride to as new.

vstech · #3 09-05-2007, 09:14 AM

there are a few more parts in the front end of the SD... and it's a smidge more difficult to complete the job. (just pray the antisway bar is not bad...) anyway I too would love to hear the total list of parts you bought and get your total outlay of $$$
thanks!

funola · #4 09-05-2007, 09:49 AM

Do you know if the mileage is true? Was the motor mounts soaked with diesel fuel or was it dry? I am wondering what is the life expectancy of motor mounts and suspension parts. Would an 82 300D s be that far gone with only 127K miles of normal driving? My 83 300D was bought used with 235K (probably more since the odometer was not working). Only the driver's side mount was bad because it was soaked with fuel/oil and badly deformed, the other mount was fine. The rest of the suspension seems fine also since the car drives straight with not much play but I do not know if the PO's replaced any of the suspension componenents or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarreraDan

Guys,
I have slowly working on resurecting my g/f's 82 300D (127k miles) after it has set in a barn for just under five years. I have done all of my own work so far as I really enjoy playing with older German cars (spent 4 yrs working on my Carrera). The car has been doing great since I replaced the motor mounts--I had the "special" two piece ones, both were split and majorly deformed. I knew the suspension wasn't in the best of shape but I decided to live with it for now, well that is until today.

I decided to let a local suspension shop handle this project since I don't have a lot of time right now and I didn't have a spring compressor that would work. I had new lower control arm bushings, ball joints, upper control arms, and torsion bar bushings all replaced. Tie rods and shocks are ok. They also adjusted all the play out of the steering wheel and did a full alignment. The differce is night and day, the car drives and rides completely different. I don't have any groaning noises over bumps and the pull to the left when braking is gone. I even managed to go down the interstate and stay in my lane this time. Seriously, I have only driven the car around town b/c it was a handful above 55mph. I figured the lower control arm was moving durning braking causing the pull, the old bushings were toast and I put new calipers and lines in earlier.

Two more projects left, CV joints and address the a/c as it needs a recharge and then the Benz is going to be my daily driver and it can start paying me back in gas savings for all my time and effort. Price for everything was very fair at $425 for labor and I am satisfied with the results, I got the parts from Fastlane. If your front suspension is worn out go ahead and replace the bushings as you will be impressed with the results.

rrgrassi · #5 09-05-2007, 09:54 AM

Well, the Coseco brand mounts last a year or less. Mine lasted less, but did manage 20,000 miles.

funola · #6 09-05-2007, 10:12 AM

That's horrible! What happened to them? Did you at least get your money back for the mounts? All that labor down the drain and you have to do the lousy job again?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

Well, the Coseco brand mounts last a year or less. Mine lasted less, but did manage 20,000 miles.

CarreraDan · #7 09-05-2007, 03:29 PM

Guys,
The shop is a local suspension shop, not a chain. The local high end shops all use them for alignments and tire changing. They seem to be one of the few places that understand how to work on older German cars as they have always been very careful to not to dent my oil lines on my 911 (they run under the car to the front cooler). I asked the local Mercedes shop for a quote and they told me they use the shop for all suspension issues. Labor was $425 and that included a alignment--it did take a few hours longer but they stuck to their estimate which was very nice. Parts were around $150 from fastlane (I went with the more expensive ball joints and LCA bushings).

The car is in very good to excellent condition cosmetically. I think a diesel leak ruined the motor mounts and the rubber bushings simply dry rotted from sitting. They looked ok in May when I started this project and lately large rubber chunks have been falling off the suspension. The mileage is correct as I have full records from day one as my g/f is the second owner and the first owner was a close family friend. Today, I noticed some grease on the muffler so I assume the CV joints are going to be my next project. I think letting the car sit for so long really let the rubber things rot. I have had to replace most hoses, seals, etc. Luckily the engine pulls very strong and hardly smokes. Oil consumption is next to nothing and I am getting upper 20's for mpg so I am very happy with how this project is going.

I forgot to add, normally the shop does not allow you to supply your own parts. The gentleman who did the work and gave me the estimate said as long as I didn't get cheap crap from Autozone or Advance (he wanted OEM) he would let me supply the parts as I knew Fastlane would have better prices. I told him I only use OEM parts and he commented on how I had the right filters/hoses on the car and not junk from the local auto stores.

rrgrassi · #8 09-05-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

That's horrible! What happened to them? Did you at least get your money back for the mounts? All that labor down the drain and you have to do the lousy job again?

Well, there are no mileage guarantees on engine mounts. Yep, I get to do it again. Oh well, at least they lasted through the summer! They are collapsed, and the left one is torn a bit also.