When I replaced the tie rod assemblies on my 123, both tie rod assemblies were identical. When I started to replace the tie rod assemblies on my 126, I got a right and left tie rod assembly. What is the difference between the right and left tie rod assemblies? When installing them, how do I determine which tie rod end is the outer and which tie rod end is the inner?

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Tom Evans
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Really doesn't matter...

I always put the RHT joint to the outside.

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M.B.Doc, You were correct. These tie rod ends had never been replaced so I checked them as I removed them. The RHT were on the outer side. I still couldn't tell any difference between the left and right assemblies, but knowing MB, there has to be some difference.

__________________
Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Yeah, I've wondered about that. They definitely have different part numbers, and one is even painted differently; and they don't cost exactly the same. But I haven't seen any noticeable other visual or functional diference.
I wonder if one is actually a bit longer on the internal threaded shaft or something, and is actually screwed out a few more threads when installed. Never checked final installed length to compare.

We can file that one with the other mystery of life - the EHA module.

DG