I had the chance to see my SD on the highway today for about 5 hours...
I had two cars in detroit and we brought them both home today. I got to see the old SD from all four side at highway speeds.

While my SD was behind me I looked at it in the rear view and noticed you could see both right and left tierods CLEARLY. So I got to thinking... what if I ran over something(dog?) and it took a tierod out at high speeds

I have euro bumpers but other than that it's stock. I know some w126's had covers under there... but that wouldn't protect the tierods would it?

I have always thought that I could run off the road if need be and as long as I didn't get stuck in the mud then I would be fine... but now that I see the tierods so vulnerable I am not so sure.

Any thoughts?

PS...
A 400E will pull away from a 300SD on the highway like the SD is in reverse

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

I wouldn't plan on going off-roading with a W126, the tie rods will probably be the least of your concerns.

Those tie rods are pretty darn strong, hitting an animal would be unlikely to damage them aside from maybe injuring a boot or at most bending one slightly.

I'd sure hope a 400E can pull away quickly, it has practically 2.5x as much power!

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'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

The tie rods are slightly exposed from a frontal view. By the time you hit something hard enough to bang on the tie rods, the oil pan, which is more critical, will also have been hit.

Even MB blueprints show these tie rods. Never heard any issues with objects hitting the tie rods unless you go up a curb or the front wheel drops from one.

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ok I will try not to worry about it then

Same deal with the w123? I have had my TD semi off road before.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

even if you bend a tie rod, it is adjustable.

Yes, same deal with w123. Even more so I think.

Wasn't a problem for this guy

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