Changing upper control arms on 126?
 

Anyone done this? I have new control arms, and I was wondering how difficult it would be. Is it a DIY project? Any tips would be appreciated.

Joe B.

The passenger side is pretty easy. You need to remove the battery to get to the bolt. Get new bushings too.

The drivers side is a pain because the brake pipes are in the way. The bolt must be removed from the rear.

I did this last weekend on my 89 300se, it is'nt to bad. The hardest thing like said above is getting the bolt back in on the drivers side, that took longer than the actual job. If you have someone around with small hands it helps alot. To tighten the nuts on the ball joints you may have to rock the car with it on the ground to keep them from spinning. Besides that just make sure that the car is supported well because you are doing alot of pounding and pulling.
You may want to check your steering damper while you are under there, mine had worn out and I believe the worn ball joints on the control arms beat it up.
It took me about 3 hours total, and an hour was trying to get that darn bolt back in!!!!

Do not tighten the bolts through the towers until the car is on the ground. That sets the bushings in the correct riding position.

Thanks all--looks like something I could handle.

Joe B.

What brand of upper control arms do you plan to use; moog, trw, meyle/ocap?
I plan on doing this and can not find any lemforder brand so will choose between those brands.

Also do not forget the sway bar bushings on the control arms and next to firewall. The ones on the firewall can be the slit variety or can we cut slits in them to install to prevent total removal of the sway bar to install bushings? The one under the brake booster is a PITA to get to.