when tie rods go bad what else normally needs chaning as well?
 

ON my 83 300SD the tie rods are going bad. I have been told by a mechanic and the wheel also has much more play then my mom's new jetta, my dad's 528i, or my sisters acura. Granted they are all newer, but this is also a mercedes! one of the premeir driving machines of the time! My question is this, due to the safety effect of the tie rods and front end system i have been talked into(by my father) having it professionally done. What else do you expect is wrong on this car as well as the tie rods? in other words how much money do i need before i tell them to fix it? i know it's a hard question to answer but just general ideas or experiance stories would be greatly appreciated. The right front wheel is consistantly making a groaning noise now as well, used to be intermitant. Ahh the fun of an older car(NOT!) thanks guys
R

Could be a couple of things. Pop the hood and turn the key in the ignition so that it's not in the "lock" position. Turn the wheel a little from side to side so you can feel the "play" and at the same time, look at the shaft that couples to the steering box. If the movement of this corresponds with the steering wheel, then the play is probably in the steering box. If not, you should check the bushings in the steering column. Check out the idler arm and the steering damper as well. Both are pretty easy to replace.

Tie rod ends are changed without disturbing any other parts of the front end, so there's no need to "change this other part while you're in there".

The steering boxes are notorious for adding play, but if you adjust it, you need to approach this very carefully. If the tie rod ends are loose, I'm sure you will notice the difference after replacing them. Make sure you adjust the toe after replacing them.

Good luck,

when i said tie rods i meant ball joints(head wasn't screwed on right at the time). thats good to know that the steering boxes are adjustable though. But my question should read: when ball joints go bad what else should be changed out? thakns for your replies guys/gals
R

You won't necessarily have to replace any other components, but you certainly want to check control arm bushings top and bottom and also the strut rod mounts. If they are not tight, this is the time to replace them, you are almost there anyway.

Good luck,

Is replacing the strut rod mounts a DIY with hand tools thing or a need hydraulic tools and maritime vocabulary thing?

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Maybe also the front wheel bearings, if you don't know when they were last changed. I don't know how expensive they are, but you have to go through the wheel bearings to get to the ball joints.

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

Front End Crap
 

I have an '84 300SD and I'm in the middle of replacing my upper comtrol arms/ball joints. Also, my tie rods are worn on the ends. It just seems like when one thing goes out on the front suspension, everything else follows. The rubber parts tend to wear out. My car shakes really bad if I get it over 55 mph. It really sucks, but I still love my car. MBs are great all around.

1985 - 300D front wheel bearings
Timken p/n LM48548 - $7.24/ea and p/n M12649 - $4.16/ea.
These prices are from my local bearing supply store. The SD may require a different bearing but you should be able to get the p/n off of the bearing when you pull it and match it up at any bearing supply store.

Have 85 300D, 185K. I just adjusted the steering box for play. I believe the lock nut is 17mm, and the allen is 5mm??. Loosen lock nut, turn adjustment screw out about 1/2 turn. Drive it and see what you think. It really improved my steering, feels almost new.

Before you adjust play in your steering box make sure the play you are adjusting is not related to the "cheap" stuff. You may make the steering "feel" better, but if the slop is because of worn linkage you will only make things worse.

Sixto,

Those are easy as I recall. Three screws attach them from the rear of the fender well. where the tack rod ties into the lower part of the suspension there are a couple of bushings that should be replaced but to get at those, you have to compress the spring. I think (but am not certain) you can remove the mounts w/o undoing the rod at the suspension.

Nic

Ncarter,

And I have to thru my air cleaner to get to the muffler. Why would you have to do anything to the wheel bearings to replace the ball joints?

I don't know when my wheel bearings were replaced, if they ever were replaced, but that's no reason to replace them. Ever hear the old saying "If it isn't broken, don't fix it"?

P E H

PEH,
No, I have not heard that saying... I believe in breaking whatever I do take off so it does not look like I made a diagnostic mistake in the first place...... Greg