Hello, I just bought a kit to replace the support rod joint repair bushings and am looking around for a how to on the install. ************** sells a kit with instructions but I found the parts for much cheaper. I can get the instructions for 20 bucks from Mercedes source (still cheaper then their kit with the parts I bought) but was wondering if that is neccesary. I looked on the DIY link on this site and their are some directions but they don't seem that clear. From what I undertand, I should jack up the car. Remove the bolts from behind the bushings and count the number of threads that I see before removing the control arm. Unscrew the control arm push out (or pull with a come along) the bushings, replace and screw the control arm back on so that the same amount of threads are showing. Does that sound right? Is this that hard of job to tackle? Should I just buy **************'s instructions? Thanks for any help or advice.

There are a couple of ways to do it. You could rent the proper coil spring compressor (tool rental program here on this forum) and disassemble or you could do it the improvised way that I used. Either way, you will need accurate measurements of the guide rod or center to center of front to rear wheels unless you plan on an alignment afterwards. I raised mine on ramps, installed a come-along to hold the wheel fore and aft, then unbolted the bearing carrier from the chassis. Then it was a simple process of unscrewing the guide rod and and removing the bushing from the back.

It is not a difficult job really. Just be sure to maintain the car's weight on the wheel and something to keep the wheel from moving forward and/or back and unbolt the carrier. The main thing is keeping that front spring stable with car weight or the proper spring compressor.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I see. The come along is to secure the wheels from moving. Just connect the front tires to each other with a come along, I would assume. I will probably be having an alignment done afterwards because I see some inside wear on both front tires. I just bought this car, for what I considered a pretty good deal. The bushings are toast no rubber left on them and a nice clunk going over bumps and when braking. Thanks.

Sorry, but maybe I didn't make it clear. The come-along is for front to rear. When you remove those main carrier bolts, the tendency will be for the front wheels to go forward due to caster.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )