This weekend, I replaced my guide rod joints on my 126. After fumbling around, I got the passenger's side done without a hitch. On the driver' side, I made improvement getting the job done over the prvious side. That was, of course, before it came time to reattach the joint to the rod. I can't seem to get enough clearance to thread the joint into the rod. Also the joint is very tight and is very difficult to rotate even with a wrench. I have read threads saying to push the lower control arm forward. All I' able to get is perhaps 1/2" of deflection. Should I loosen up any of the suspension components to create more "slack"?

Thanks in advance

When I replaced mine, I recall that they were tight. But I had enough adjustment to fit them in. Don't apply too much force on the end of the control arm

What I did on my w126 as others have metioned was to uses a come-along-winch type pulley. Attach one hook to a heavy chain around the lower control arm, then the other hook to a stationary object like a parked cars towing eye and slowly crank until control arms moves foward enough to get clearance for the ball joint bolt to go on to the guide rod.

Also used lubromoly anti seize compound to aide assembly on all the threads.

I hope you replaced the big rubber subframe bushings while the bracket was off? Makes a huge difference in ride quietness and smoothness.

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1993 Mercedes Benz 300D 2.5 205K (ex wife's)
1984 Mercedes Benz 300SD 320K (SOLD)
2004 Mercedes Benz C240 75K
1995 GMC Sierra 2WD 5.7L 188K
1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD 239K (SOLD)
1987 BMW 325i 220K (SOLD FOR SALVAGE)

609 Certification

That is the way to do it.

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1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead