Hey guys. Just finished up (almost) with my first major overhaul on the wagon (courtesy of my local indy). Here's what was done:

lower control arm bushing set
guide rod mounts and struts
flex discs
pinion seal
rear subframe mounts
upper sway bar bushings
upper control arms

to be done in a week or two:

tie rods
center link
steering damper
idler arm


Here are some pics of the old parts. Some of them are clearly trashed (subframe mounts), others look decent but old. The last three pics are of the driver's side front outer window brush. I had been meaning to put this in before winter but didn't get to it. Indy did it for $30.....easy. He also replaced all the door clips that were rusted and broke off while installing the brush!

There are other parts (bushings, other small rubber rings, bolts) in the box but these are the main ones. How do they look to the trained eye?

__________________
JBG
1985 TD wagon, 228k
running on grease since 3.07
AUSTIN, TEXAS

I need window brushes as well.

Did the indy replace LCA bushings as well?

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

most of those look pretty goood to me... almost all the damage you see is from the disassembly, not wear and tear... of course, that motor mount has seen better days... and the flex joints were certainly ready to replace.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Yes, LCA bushings were replaced too, but I didn't bother photographing everything. They look pretty old but not TOTALLY destroyed, kind of like the other stuff.

It seems like your choice of indy MB mechanics (at least around here) is going to guys who are either totally inept, or totally anal and like to basically restore everything. I've gone to both. They cost about the same, and the feeling you get after spending money at each is very different: complete worry, anger, and frustration with the former, versus slight concern at replacing something that wasn't dead, slight mistrust, but confidence in a job well done with the latter. At least I'm paying people who are fairly reasonable and seem to care.

Of course, the best choice is to undertake to replace everything yourself. It didn't take me very long to learn my limitations when it came to this choice! I'll stick to general maintenance, fluids, that kind of thing :0

__________________
JBG
1985 TD wagon, 228k
running on grease since 3.07
AUSTIN, TEXAS