How do I loosen tie rod bar on 80 300d

[123mike]

I am able to loosen the bolt at the tie rod end and the bigger nut at the opposite end. I thought the rod would turn so I can adjust toe. It did not turn. Am I missing something? Help…Mike

[paul roberts]

If you have everything broken loose, it's not uncommon to have to add some heat to get things to turn.

[Sugar Bear]

What are you working on?

They are usually stuck due to rust, dirt etc. and require significant force to break loose, so much that sometimes the tie rod ball joint pops apart. Use a lot of penetrating oil and be uber patient.

[123mike]

Thanks. It’s sprayed up with pb blaster. I’m working on the ground and my leverage is weak. Thx for the help, I wanted to make sure their was not some weird Benz stuff in the tie rods. I may pop the tie rod end and spin that one revolution for starters

[Sugar Bear]

I used to supply new assemblies to the alignment shop when going in for an alignment, made they happy.

[123mike]

I popped off the tie rod end and spun out I rev. I think it is pulling less. I may try another rev. It was wearing out inside right tire badly. Also tightened wheel bearing a little bit. I’m sure it’s all worn out. I buy 2nd hand tires and mount at home.

[Sugar Bear]

Turning the tie rod changed the toe adjustment which shouldn't cause a pull to one side. Inner edge tire wear is caused by camber out of spec, pulling is related to caster. Pulling is also often tire related, try swapping tires side-to-side. Check for sticking brake calipers also by wheel temp comparison.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

I used to supply new assemblies to the alignment shop when going in for an alignment, made they happy.

I have a set sitting here ready to go on. Problem I have is tat most local alignment shops won't do the job because my old cars are not in their computer

For my 72 350SL, I ended up doing my own string alignment. Might do same with 300D.

It should be easier on 300D because the strings could be attached to bars attached to bumpers rather than jack stands on ground. Should help because they would stay in place as front end is raised and lowered.

[Sugar Bear]

Originally Posted by Graham

I have a set sitting here ready to go on. Problem I have is tat most local alignment shops won't do the job because my old cars are not in their computer

Won't they allow you to provide the specs?

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Won't they allow you to provide the specs?

I have tried three different ones. Dealer can do it but last time I went there for my 107, they gave me a bill for over $500 (which I only paid part of!). They never even got the job completed, so I finished it myself.

[Sugar Bear]

Wow. A local body or frame shop might? do it or know someone. We have two good shops within 20 minutes. Took a '61 SL to one of them, they put batteries in the car to simulate weight, wanted to learn how to start it and dialed it in to our supplied specs. Drove really well afterward.