Well, I knew this day would come. When I first bought my current 83 300D, the only real issue on it was some visible rust on the rear lower control arms (trailing arms?). I figured I'd just see how long they'd last, and fix it when I had some expendable income (hah, nice joke I played on myself!).

Driving home today, I noticed the rear right shock was making a VERY clunky sound. I knew the shock was on its way out anyway, so I figured it was finally time to replace it. Ordered new ones, went back outside to do a sanity check. Oh, how wrong I was. Turns out the shock mount on the LCR had rusted entirely through, and the rear right was riding on springs.

I already ordered replacement trailing arms for the rear left and rear right, which I prey my indy will cut me a break on (he's usually pretty inexpensive, so we'll see what he does), and they should be in within the next 3-4 days. I bought two used ones from a junkyard in Arizona, so they shouldn't have any rust on them, plus they came with hubs, bushings, and bearings attached. Hopefully those are in good shape too.

My question to you guys is multi-part.
*Should I replace anything ELSE while I'm back there? I figure this repair is going to end up costing me $800+ when it comes to the parts + labor anyway, so if there's anything else I can tack on, let me know.
*Is it safe to drive in the meantime, considering the rear right is basically shock-less? The only other vehicle I have available is my 1961 Chevy Corvair, which leaks like a sieve in the rain, and is utterly terrifying to take on the NJ highways at rush hour.
*Any other issues that might arise from this whole thing? I'll probably have the indy replace the differential and trans mounts while he's back there anyway, and the axles are new.
*What kind of liquor / beer is best to wash down this type of car sorrows with?

Thanks!

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(Oo{=|=}oO) 1983 MB 300D USA, 212,000mi. 80's yellow/white. "Gunther"
(Oo{=|=}oO) 1984 MB 300D Euro, Turbo Added in Germany, 186,000mi [SOLD] Missing her dearly.
(Oo{=|=}oO) 1984 MB 300D USA Turbodiesel, 269,000mi. [SOLD]

This seems oddly familiar, I wonder why.. Oh right cuz I've done it twice
Most recently my right rear trailing arm rotted through in the shock mount. This happened around November and I had NO interest in replacing a trailing arm in the dead of winter, so I drove on. I finally got around to replacing the arm last weekend. Thats nearly 6 months so I wouldn't be all that concerned about a few days.

As far as what else to replace, absolutely the rubber bushings in the arm, and If they aren't new I would do the subframe mounts. They can really get loose after 20+ years and replacing the trailing arm involves letting the subframe down some which is a perfect time to do the sub frame mounts.

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Serenity-86' 300SDL 482,000 miles (on a "14" head!)

This a good time to to all the bushings, sub frame and trailing arm. trailing arm bushings little over $5 ea, X 4. and the sub frame kit $65 or so here on All parts Express.
check the flex disk on the drive line and the sway bar links, and maybe the sway bar bushings.

might check the brakes while you are in there, and the brake hoses if they have some age on them. might look good on the out side, but might be deteriorating on the inside.

All depends on how much gold dust you want to part with, and what the indy charges.

I just remove the sub frame, trailing arms, differential, today to replace the bushings, trailing arms with lower milage ones, easier than doing bearings, and replacing a lower milage Diff. got it all steam cleaned and purdy.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I would avoid driving it if I could.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Unfortuantely I can't really avoid driving it for the next 2 days (Today and Friday), due to rain in the forecast and an extremely leaky secondary car (61 Corvair). Plus the fact that I really don't want to be driving around in a 50 year old beast anyway. =P

It made it to work today, but it was a scary ride. Every little bump made the rear end feel like it was about to slide out from under me. It probably should be fine for another day, I guess.

So, while I'm under there, this is my to-do list:
*Check Flex Disc
*Replace trailing arm bushings
*Replace subframe bushings
*Possible replacement of differential mounts?

Anything else that I'm missing? I really hope the total cost of this repair can be under $1k...

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(Oo{=|=}oO) 1983 MB 300D USA, 212,000mi. 80's yellow/white. "Gunther"
(Oo{=|=}oO) 1984 MB 300D Euro, Turbo Added in Germany, 186,000mi [SOLD] Missing her dearly.
(Oo{=|=}oO) 1984 MB 300D USA Turbodiesel, 269,000mi. [SOLD]

Sorry to bump, but one more quick question. I need to make an hour drive later this afternoon with 2 passengers (1 in rear) and some light luggage. Do you think it's safe enough to make this trip, considering the car is essentially riding on springs in the rear right?

Aside from the bumpy ride, is there anything that could go horribly wrong if I do this?

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(Oo{=|=}oO) 1983 MB 300D USA, 212,000mi. 80's yellow/white. "Gunther"
(Oo{=|=}oO) 1984 MB 300D Euro, Turbo Added in Germany, 186,000mi [SOLD] Missing her dearly.
(Oo{=|=}oO) 1984 MB 300D USA Turbodiesel, 269,000mi. [SOLD]

See post #4.

It is one thing to risk injury to yourself and another to endanger others. Not to mention if you were the only one in the Car and it broke loose in traffic you could still end up hurting someone else.

When I damage my Trailing Arm and drove home it was late at night and no traffice was on the Road (in an industrial area).

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

SO... what was the outcome with the Trailing arms? Did you replace them?

Are you up and running? I came back across this old thread, and there is no closure to it.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works