I'm starting to hear something a little loose in the front suspension / steering area. I'm pretty sure nothing has been replaced yet (1987 300 tdt / 173K). Just wondering what I should suspect first - ball joints, tie rods, control arm bushings etc.? Thought I might save some time if any of you have had any of these replaced or know what I should expect first. Thanks in advance.

I'd say in this order:
Ball joints, tie rod/drag link ends, idler arm bushings, worn out sway bar ends and bushings, control arm bushings either worn/disintegrating or seized to the bolts.

Gilly

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Bryan,

I just replaced most of the front end parts on my car and I would recommend doing everything, or at least most items, in one shot. It's a big job, but when you're done, that's it for a while. Once the bushings are going, they're all going. If you replace just the ball joints, then the other worn parts are going to put more stress on the new ball joints. Same goes for replacing any other suspension piece individually.
And don't forget the wheel bearings themselves.

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Dave
1995 C280
1999 Triumph Daytona 955I - my speed fix.
1982 300TD - Gone, but not forgotten.

Gilly, Thanks - that's very helpful.

Hello there:
My opinion from my experience.

Wat until you have right budget. Its wise at this age of car, to redo the whole front end. Bits and pieces of work will cost you much more and a lots of time and head ache.
I was offered by a Benz non-dealer mechanic that he will do my complete front end for 900 bucks.
That includes labor and parts.

Job included
Bilstein HD front 2 shocks, center, right and left tie rod assembly. steering idler arm kit, both lower ball joint, upper control arms etc.

i thought it was too high so did not do it. then started th troubles, and i am already 700 bucks in parts and labor in front end and lower ball joints are yet to be done. so thats another 400 bucks. i wasted so many days on the jobs already done. A lot of headache with this new mechanic.

The other guy told me he would give me my car in 6-8 hours once I drop the car at his place. I wish I would have gone with him. 900 bucks 8 hrs and no headaches. Cant beat that.

If you plan to do all by yourself then get all parts and tools togather and its a 2-3 days project. good luck

mvk

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1985 300D Turbo 179,000miles

I agree, get ALL the parts together, BEFORE you start. You don't notice there is any problem with any particular part until it gets really noticable... you soon find out that shocks were not the only problem... Don't just replace shocks or ball joints, when the problem is likely to be a combination of all front-end parts.

Right now I am gathering parts to re-do my front end... I have almost all the parts now, just need a couple more, and am going to do the work myself on my long weekend coming up in September.

don't forget those track rod joints they were bad on both my 126's.......
Willia, Rogers......