Do you have to remove springs to replace upper control arm?
 

Howdy-I have to replace my upper control arm (1983 300DT). I'm trying to determine if I have to pull the spring or if I can just put the car up on stands with the tension off the front suspension and get it in there after I remove the wheel and shock.

Thanks,

Sugi
Athens, GA

the the FSM page for R&R upper control arm

Actually, you want the suspension to be loaded if the spring is not removed. Removing the shock absorber is unnecessary.

i pulled some brand new looking upper control arms from a 240 at the pnp somewhat recently. It was up of the ground. I didnt remove the shocks or the springs.

Thanks!
 

Wow- thatś just one reason I love these cars. Of the 40 or so cars I´ve owned, there is nothing close to the support base the W123 has. It´s like our cars have their own ¨human genome¨ project database. Somebody on this list has laid a wrench/plier/hand on every single last piece of a W123. Thanks for the replies, I´m heading out right now to get to work.

I did this on my SD and I jacked up the car then lowered the side I was working on so the lower arm was supported on a jack stand then just went to work on the ball joints including removing the upper arm. You do need to support the lower arm so the spring stays put.

The shock absorber is supposed to limit LCA travel so the spring stays in place. I'd set the LCA on a jack or jackstand to be safe.

I don't remember if the UCA has to be in the normal ride height position when torquing the bolt through the inboard bushing.

Sixto
87 300D

I would at least put a block under the LCA and lower a but of the cars weight on it. The shock is not meant as a limiter for the Suspension system.

Don't forget to replace the sway bar bushings while your in there.

Yes.
On mine the sway bar didn't line up, so I went to the local hardware store, and bought the longest correct threaded bolt, and with the new bushings in place, tightened it, everything lined up. I was then able to remove that one, and replace it with the old bolt.