I have a front end gremlin that comes and goes in my '90 300E. I think it is idler arm related, but I'm not sure. You can start out driving the car in the morning and it is fine. You stop somewhere for coffee and it starts to act up. You park it for 1/2 day at work, and at lunchtime it is fine again. Might not act up for another two days. Then it comes back. Next day, fine again. Here are the symptoms that come and go, seemingly randomly, with the car:

• Railroad tracks (wanders left and right slightly with the grooves in the road) when wheels are straight, but when turning is stable as can be.
• Feels a little sluggish on turn in - like there is slop side to side.
• Sometimes makes a noise when turning hard left or right that sounds like you are turning a steel rod inside a tight, dry, rubber bushing.
• Seems better in colder temperatures, acts up more frequently when warmer outside, or on the tail end of a long drive (hour or more away)

Ball joints, tie rods, both seem fine other than some weather cracking on the boots of the tie rod ends. They are still full of grease though. I'm going to replace the tie rods because of the cracking, but they don't seem to be the problem here.

Does this sound like an idler arm issue? Anyone know if there is a good DIY written anywhere for rebuilding the idler arm in a W124 ?

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Andy_M
'98 W140 S320 Black/Black
'06 W164 ML500 AMG White/Grey
'03 Porsche 986 Midnight Blue/Grey