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  #1  
Old 04-01-2005, 11:34 PM
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Posts: 185
PLS Help"" Front Suspension

I have a MB 500 SEL (126) which my sister who recently passed away with cancer left me, therefore it is very important for me to repair and keep the vehicle.

Vehicle has 117,500 miles

When braking I get a "very bad vibration" form the front, especially if it is "light " braking.

The tires have 15000 mile (pirelles) and the fronts are totally gone, especially passenger side (worn on the the outside).

Pulls to the right so bad it is hard to hold sometimes.

"Clunks" bad when hit the smallest bump in front.

Also, when I let down the right side with th floor jack I get a "loud" pop noise.


Front shocks are new Bilsteins.

I have inspected the front suspension ( on jack stands)the best as I can and found:

The "guide rod", I guess this is what it is called which run from the frame to the lower control arm" bushing are both practically gone (bushings are at the frame side of the guide rod and bushings at the control arm end if I am correct.

I may have bad ball joints but can't tell.


Would the Guide Rods" cause these problems.

Additionally, the sway bar bushings seem ok in the front..

Also which online parts dealers carry the best parts??

Thanks, any help would be greatly appreciated.

John1


Last edited by John1; 04-02-2005 at 12:13 AM.
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  #2  
Old 04-02-2005, 10:27 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,141
Sounds like the car's front suspension is in need of some work.


Yes, bad guide rod mounts will do lots of stuff. They are not terribly difficult to do on a W126- with some work- they can be replaced.
I would replace the lower ball joint and bushing in the lower control arm. That's a big job and requires a factory style spring compressor. Upper control arm, sway bar bushing etc are pretty commmon.
As far as parts- you can buy FEBI brand for the rubber stuff from Fastlane.
I use Randy Steele with factory parts. I'm using more factory parts b/c there is almost no cost savings and the factory stuff seems to be all excellent quality. I don't have the time for the headaches.

That has the hydraulic rear suspension right? Might want to buy the special fluid and filter. Check the steering dampener- it's probably bad too.

Michael
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83 300d
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  #3  
Old 04-02-2005, 11:09 AM
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Location: Evansville, Indiana
Posts: 8,150
Most likely just the guide rod bushing is bad. Groans or pops on speed bumps too, eh?

Replace the bushing on the firewall end (do a search for instructions, I've not had to do this one yet!).

Bad ball joints usually cause groans and squeaks will turning the wheel. If quiet, leave that alone. You can check by raising the tire off the ground and prying up on the tire directly in the center. If the ball joint moves vertically or clunks, replace. Upper one will do the same thing. If the rubber boots on the joints are bad, replace at least the boot -- likely the joint will go soon from dirty and lack of lube.

The rest of the linkage is probably OK ULESS the other front tire is badly worn -- in that case, tie rods and a new drag link are definitely in order (check, the usualy wear is drag link ends and outer tie rod ends), and get a new steering damper, too. The bad damper allows the front end to hammer the tie rods to death.

Peter
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1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
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  #4  
Old 04-03-2005, 01:01 PM
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John1,

Are you familiar with MB's? The reason why I'm asking is there are particulars with MB V=8's which need to be kept up or they get expensive.

I'm not sure your year, hence the engine M117? Anyhoo, besides keeping the engine oil changed regularly- you need to check timing chain stretch !! Also if the oil rail retainers in the heads tend to go south with age and the results are damage to the camshafts.
On V8's it is very common to replace all the guide rails (which you can get out through the top) and chains at about your mileage. The guide rails are plastic and if a stretched chain pops the old plastic on start up- they can break lodging a piece in a sprocket and breaking the chain. I've heard recommendations of pulling the valve covers every 60,000 miles to replace plastic clips, check stretch and inspect the camshaft.

Sorry to hear about your sister.

Sincerely,

Michael
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83 300d
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  #5  
Old 04-03-2005, 06:18 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
Thanks for your replies.

Don't know too much about MB's but was a factory certified Porsche mechanic years ago and ran and owned an AAMCO for ten.

Iknow, when you say AAMCO it is like staring a political debate, but like anything else you got the good and the bad in any business.

I think with this forums help I can handle the jobs needed.

Again thnaks so much for the help.

PS I am 56 yrs old and brought home another new son this AM 6.6 lbs.

God Is SO Great!

John1
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  #6  
Old 04-03-2005, 07:36 PM
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CONGRATS ON THE THE NEW ARRIVAL JOHN! Strange world we lose someone we love and along comes something to help bear the pain!!

Smokie
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  #7  
Old 04-03-2005, 09:40 PM
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Location: Evansville WI
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Why feel so attached to (pardon me) a clapped out old MB owned by your sister? Just because you loved your sister and she may have loved this car, doesn't mean YOU have to love this car because she is gone. Think about that. Maybe you DO love this car too. I dunno.

Quote:
Sounds like the car's front suspension is in need of some work.
Ya think??????

Gilly

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