W115 Rolling Restoration: What rubber Suspension bits should I replace? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Screwdriva · #1 03-20-2020, 05:15 PM

Greetings All,

We've reached the 3rd stage (of 4) of the mechanical rolling restoration for the car. For stages 1 and 2, check out my ownership experience thread here.

For this stage, I had planned to focus on the rubber underneath the car + replace the struts. The goal here is get that factory fresh, tight ride I was able to achieve with my 84 300D.

The good news is that the car's steering and braking is now very tight and precise. The suspension is anything but.

My planned replacements were:

1) Bilstein HD struts
2) MB sub frame mounts
3) MB front and rear sway bar links
4) MB rear differential mount
5) Tank fuel hose

Am I missing anything that can easily be replaced while doing any of the above jobs? The remaining suspension components are old but not cracked or failed. Up for debate is the merit in changing the spring top bushings and anything else you guys suggest.

Cheers!

Junkman · #2 03-20-2020, 06:24 PM

Upper & lower control arms
guide rod mounts or whatever you have that controls caster
ball joints
any of the linkage between the steering knuckles
sway bar bushings

You could skip the tie rods and other linkage if what's there is tight because it isn't difficult to do by itself.

I'd change anything that requires spring removal ir is made easier by spring removal.

Screwdriva · #3 03-20-2020, 08:23 PM

Would be good to know if dealer parts are recommended or if OE suppliers like Lemforder still supply these parts and they're good.

I won't get Febi, Meyle or URO unless I have no choice.

g300d · #4 03-20-2020, 09:51 PM

I did similar to my latest W124 300D.

First off, I had to look because I've never had a W115. Never knew they had front subframes, cool!

Yeah, for the fronts, definitely do the subframe bushes. I would be sorely tempted to do the rest of the front suspension attached to the subframe, the wheel bearings, and the steering links while I was there so I dont have to go back down there for a while.

Rears, yes do the subframe mounts, diff mounts, and hidden fuel hoses. I dont know if these have a tank strainer at the bottom, good time to look at this too. I did rear sway bar bushings while there for convenience. You will be disconnecting the prop shaft, I did the guibos while there.

I did boots on the axles, and wheel bearings while I had things apart.

It looks like rear swing arms with two bushings, it will be a lot easier to do that now while you have the subframe out. On the 124 there is a plethora of links I put off replacing for now since they are accessible without dropping the subframe.

Motor and tranny mounts will also make a big difference in what you are looking to do.

Costs pile up quickly though! I had to put off a lot of things like the rear multilinks so that I could take care of the hardest to service parts.

Screwdriva · #5 03-21-2020, 05:08 AM

Cheers! My restoration thread here. Chronicles from my purchase and all the work done so far.

I've done the motor and tranny mounts and everything to date has been sourced from the dealer. Just discovered that the lower control arms are $1000 each!! Really hope they still sell the bushings and ball joints separately!

Any recommendations on any OEM supplied parts as alternatives to the dealer? I see LEMFORDER makes replacement lower ball joints. Wanted to know if they are any good from experience, and if they also supply control arm bushing kits?

g300d · #6 03-21-2020, 09:16 AM

Cheers! I read your thread, nice work so far. I am thinking of sending a set of injectors to greazzer myself.

Your ongoing restoration will cost dearly if you have to get all your parts from the main dealer. $1000 for the arms?? Yeah, hopefully the bushes and ball joints are available and replaceable.

IMO Lemforder is good to go for suspension parts. Never any problems in a variety of cars I've put them on. No idea if they still make parts for your model though.

A word on the Bilsteins, I had a 260E with HD's and I found the ride to be a bit stiff. I switched to comforts and liked those for that car better. I got the "magic carpet ride" back. Conversely, a lot of people prefer HD's too. It will depend on what you are wanting from your car.

Screwdriva · #7 03-21-2020, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g300d

IMO Lemforder is good to go for suspension parts. No idea if they still make parts for your model though.

Generally, you're spot on. That said, I remember reading that Lemforder screwed up a couple of suspension components but I can't remember which one's. This is why I'm hoping someone who has installed OEM parts on their /8 will chime in. So far, the dealer hasn't been much more expensive on most parts after my 15% discount with the exception of the calipers and now these lower control arms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by g300d

Conversely, a lot of people prefer HD's too. It will depend on what you are wanting from your car.

I struggle to describe just how sporty and fun the W115 chassis feels to drive. Yes, I said sporty. Even a 65 hp diesel with a 4 speed manual is a blast! Waaay more nimble than the W123 and even the W124 sportline. And that's with 40+ year old rubber underneath the floor! It really is one of the best kept Mercedes Benz secrets. All I can say is try one!

The HD struts should match the car beautifully and last twice as long as any "comfort" alternative. If not, it'll be a costly error in judgement. The struts were not cheap for this model given the smaller number of parts being produced.

g300d · #8 03-22-2020, 09:20 PM

Huh, news to me! I thought pretty much anything Lemforder was GTG.

I'd be curious if you happen to remember which parts they futzed up, would be interested to know for future reference.

Sounds like the HD's will suit your purpose perfectly! They will stiffen up things enough to make a difference from what I've seen in other chassis.

Will have to find a /8 to try, sounds like a lot of fun!

Screwdriva · #9 03-26-2020, 04:47 PM

Anyone know if the rear struts on a W115 came equipped with a rubber sleeve and bump stop? The front Bilstein shocks come supplied with these but the rears do not.

Thanks in advance!

Screwdriva · #10 04-01-2020, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g300d

Huh, news to me! I thought pretty much anything Lemforder was GTG. I'd be curious if you happen to remember which parts they futzed up, would be interested to know for future reference.

Here ya go. Pierre lists it brutally honestly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqeKZVy8eXo

g300d · #11 04-01-2020, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the vid!

Funny, Pierre and I are in agreement on pretty much everything! I shop at all the places he does, and rank the aftermarket parts makers about the same from my experience with them. I've seen first hand a lot of what he said.

About Lemforder, he does mention 2 specific parts he's had problems with - W123 guide rod bushings and tie rod ends made in Turkey.

Of course, just my luck, the Lemforder tie rod assemblies I just put on were made in Turkey! Oh well, we'll see how they hold up then.

So how's the project going so far?

Screwdriva · #12 04-02-2020, 09:23 AM

Would be great to know more about your first hand experiences, especially what hasn't held up well. I started a rather controversial post on the W114/5 Facebook group to try and capture this.

Sadly, my garage has shuttered due to COVID-19. We were waiting for rear shock absorber sleeves. These were not supplied with the rear Bilstein HD struts (only with the front), nor equipped on the standard spec car, but were available from the factory for the Heavy Duty option. Rear bump stops from Stuttgart too. Remarkably, both still available and very useful over the long haul of ownership.

g300d · #13 04-03-2020, 12:49 AM

I've never owned a 114/5, but I have experience with other series. Pretty much everything Pierre mentioned has been my experience also.

Below is a list of parts makers I have used with no problems on a variety of MB's and BMW's. I try to research each specific application though. Sometimes a specific maker, or OE even, has been found best for certain parts (Like BMW coolant expansion tanks, for example).

You will probably see complaints on a few or even all of these makers, but in general they are good to go in my experience.

There are also a lot more out there that I dont know about, like Phoenix, which I just discovered thanks to the video you linked.

Bushes, ball joints, tie rods, arm assemblies - Lemforder, Meyle HD, TRW, Phoenix
Motor and tranny mounts - Sachs Boge, Corteco, Phoenix
Cooling system - Behr, Hella Service, Sachs, Nissens, Saleri
Pulleys and bearings - Ina, Fag, LuK
Engine electrics - Beru, Bosch, Bremi, NGK, Valeo
Brakes - Textar, Pagid, Ate, Balo, Zimmerman, Jurid, Centric
Hoses - Contitech, Rein
Belts - Contitech
Gaskets - Elring, Victor Reinz,
Dampers - Sachs, Bilstein
Axle parts - GKN
Filters - Hengst, Mann, Mahle
Fuel pumps - Pierburg, Bosch

g300d · #14 04-03-2020, 12:59 AM

Sorry to hear that, I havent gotten much done also during the shutdown.

Thankfully I had just finished sorting out the cooling system on the current 124 300D project (was getting it ready for an Easter holiday trip) when the shelter in place orders came.

I dont know the parts situation for the 114/5's, but for 123's and up I believe some of those smaller parts are available aftermarket. The sleeve may be tricky, but bump stops are fairly common. Febi is usually what's available for bump stops and they are ok for that IMO.

Screwdriva · #15 04-03-2020, 07:55 AM

Cheers. I try to buy Febi as a last resort and only if I can verify that it's made Germany. I view them as inferior to Lemforder as a OE supplier but that's based on 3rd party anecdotal feedback.

The bump stops you mention are still available from the main dealer, cheaper than FEBI new once my 15% discount is factored in. I find this to be the case with several parts - the dealer can be very competitive on rubber parts they have in stock.

One notable exception is some brake and metal suspension components. I buy coated discs from ATE as an example. Same exact part but costs half as much.