Idler arm repair kit - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

VW1300 · #1 04-02-2008, 09:58 PM

I just got an idler arm repair kit - I have reason to believe I need one. However, the Haynes manual is useless for this job, and the link that everyone has been using for this,

http://207.210.95.34/~boostd/FrontSuspension/idlerarm/

no longer works. Does anyone have any pictures of where this kit goes, or step by step instructions? I'm having a tough time figuring out what all these arms and rods are called. I know it's simple, but I don't even have a starting place to go from right now.

thanks,

Charlie

Wodnek · #2 04-02-2008, 10:57 PM

I have no pictures but is easy to put in. The center drag link goes from the steering box arm to the idler arm. You take the bolt out of the idler arm, take the old rubber bushings out, paying attention to the orientation of the washers and reinstall the new bushings. 30 minute job. The bolts are the brass colored alloy bolts that dont seem to rust so even that shouldnt be a problem. Leave the steering column unlocked so you can move the steering to get a wrench on the top.

VW1300 · #3 04-02-2008, 11:38 PM

I can do this with the driver's side front raised up, wheel off? Or do I need to do it from underneath or the right side?

The steering box arm you refer to - is that the pitman arm?

thanks,

SW · #4 04-03-2008, 07:31 AM

Yeah, that's the pitman arm. It's pretty much on the opposite of the pitman arm if you imagine a centerline going lengthwise through the middle of your car. Years ago I replaced the entire front end steering components on my '87 300D. I had the entire front end on jack stands when I did the job.

vox_incognita · #5 04-03-2008, 08:03 AM

P.M.sent
Good luck!
Observe the correct orientation of bolt....

winmutt · #6 04-03-2008, 01:26 PM

Do not post copyrighted material in its entirety here. The board admins have already had issues once before. MBUSA *WILL* file cease and desist with the webhost.

http://winmutt.com/benz/diymbrepair/FrontSuspension/idlerarm/

VW1300 · #7 04-03-2008, 11:22 PM

follow up:

thanks to all for their replies. I read everything, and when I put the right side up on a jack stand and looked underneath, everything became clear. For reasons too embarrassing to post, I couldn't finish the job exactly but I did get everything back together, next time I do brake pads or something I'll go back and put the new bushing inside (the old one wasn't as bad as I thought it would be), it's so easy to get to and disassemble I'm not worried about it anymore.

I took the right tie rod off but left the drag link on. I don't think I really had to take the tie rod off - why does the Haynes tell you to take everything apart if it's not necessary?

I think what confused me is that I didn't have a schematic of the whole thing before I started, and my only other front end experience was with my bug, which just has one big right tie rod instead of this kind of setup.