|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Tie Rods and Thrust bearings??
I took my trusty '83 300SD to a suspension/alignment shop that a mechanic friend recommended (I had to replace my tires because the inside of the tire had been chewed to the steel belts and blew out.).
They said that my tie-rods (all 3 of them, ends and sleeves) and the thrust bearings (I think that is the term) are shot and need to be replaced. Parts cost: $500 Labor Cost: $300 I have never done this kind of stuff before on any car so I don't have any idea how hard it is. Is this something that I could do myself then just have the alignment done? Any recommendations?
__________________
Big Fred (RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky") (RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre") |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
suggest you find a shop that does Mercedes work.
__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort.... 1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket. 1980 300D now parts car 800k miles 1984 300D 500k miles 1987 250td 160k miles English import 2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles 1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo. 1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion. Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Personally, I would do it myself to ensure quality work.
In fact, I just did this job on the 300D and had to replace a tie rod on the 300SD. I do my own alignments with a tape measure and a couple wrenches. My tires wear evenly and perfectly. But it does depend on your comfort disassembling your car. Also your availability of a spare vehicle during the work. Down time can sometimes change, a job that should only take a few hours (like this one) could take a few days if you end up needing something you do not have. So, how comfortable are you working on your car ? What kind of tools do you have ? The tools to get the tie rod ends off can be rented easily, you only need some wrenches. And, in the end, if you want to have the alignment done you can spend that saved money on a top notch 4 wheel alignment. As for the price quoted.... probably reasonable. Quality parts at close to retail and some quality labor. A lot of my friends prefer to pay for all service work and there is nothing wrong with that.
__________________
80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs 83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day 02 Z71 Suburban 117,000 15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles 00 Harley Sportster 24k 09 Yamaha R6 03 Ninja 250 |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Rhodes,
I feel fairly comfortable doing the work myself. Can you recommend a tutorial (DIY) that will show how to do it step by step? As far as tools to take off the tie rods, what tools are those? I have most wrenches, etc. As far as shops that do Mercedes work, they only use solid gold tools and pave their garages in diamonds, rubys and other precious jewels.
__________________
Big Fred (RIP Sept '10) 83 300SD Turbo Diesel (aka "Rocky") (RIP April '10 - Accident) 86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (Blazer) - 6.2L Diesel (aka "Ogre") |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
The easiest way to estimate these jobs is to look up the parts on Fastlane.
Center Tie Rod ~$80 Left Tie Rod ~$60 Right Tie Rod ~$60 Idler Arm Repair Kit ~$30 I believe he was referring to the Guide Rod Mounts (aka thrust bushings),as they are a common wear point on the W126 front end. Guide Rod Mounts (2)~$180 As you can see, the parts price isn't that far off. Depending on his shop rate, 3-4 hrs labor is pretty darn good. Is he including an alignment? If you do it yourself, you are basically looking at saving only the labor cost. So the only factor is spending the money vs. learning how to do the task yourself. About the only "special" tool you may want is the tie rod tool.http://www.zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=MK-1954GT&CTMP=1
__________________
Sam 84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle ) |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Guide Rod Mounts
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=92874 Tie rods are pretty simple. Hard part is beating them apart, but once dismantled are very easy to install.
__________________
mjk '84 300SD 119KMi (Liesl der Diesel) '84 300D 326KMi when the oil left (former parts car) '82 300SD 253KMi (new parts car) |
Bookmarks |
|
|