Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
Early links are prone to failure. The bushing is vulcanized in place and acts as a spring, so they cannot be replaced separately. The rubber fails. Replacements are the new style and require a sleeve and bolt kit, but replacement isn't bad and will greatly improve handling. I have replaced most of them on both W124 chassis cars, and expect to get the rear subframe mounts, which also go bad on the earlier cars, soon. Peter
Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
OK, what do you consider an early 124? '86?? Certainly not a '91 or even a '90! Werner - Original Message - From: Peter Frederick [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 7:06 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior Early links are prone to failure. The bushing is vulcanized in place and acts as a spring, so they cannot be replaced separately. The rubber fails. Replacements are the new style and require a sleeve and bolt kit, but replacement isn't bad and will greatly improve handling. I have replaced most of them on both W124 chassis cars, and expect to get the rear subframe mounts, which also go bad on the earlier cars, soon. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
I'm wondering if the wander isn't just the front ball joint I have out. It has only recently started to really wander, and this has overlapped the time the ball joint has been squeaking like the Michael Jackson song (creaky door sound.) Regarding the control arms, I got the control arm because my MB dealer discouraged the changing of the ball joint alone. Maybe it is overkill. I bought both sides with the (maybe flawed) logic that it would be cost effective to change both at once. Roads are really bad here in the winter and early spring until they fix 'em. I noticed a huge degradation of the car since 3 years ago when I got it from Florida. I know I have one ball joint out, I was able to isolate this for sure, maybe I should shelve the other side control arm with ball joint for later? Not knowing what the job entails I still don't know if it makes sense to just swap them both out. I'm going to look at the repair CD and take a look. Anyone change both control arms at once? Have I been listening to too many MB dealers? Best investment I made in my ride was that damn $10 of Purge. Per dollar investment pays off 100 fold in acceleration etc. Not so sure about the $200 ea. control arms! John Peterson Kingston RI 1991 300D 2.5 81k Purged and mean Werner - Original Message - From: Peter Frederick [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 7:06 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior Early links are prone to failure. The bushing is vulcanized in place and acts as a spring, so they cannot be replaced separately. The rubber fails. Replacements are the new style and require a sleeve and bolt kit, but replacement isn't bad and will greatly improve handling. I have replaced most of them on both W124 chassis cars, and expect to get the rear subframe mounts, which also go bad on the earlier cars, soon. Peter ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
1983 to probably 1990, the problem showed up about then (same links in the W201 and W124). They were changed for the W210 chassis, and I believe the new links have 210 xx part numbers. They usually croak around 150,000 miles or so, causing torque steer, thumps under the rear seat, and squeaks, along with erratic rear steer and crosswind sensitivity. Peter
Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
The reason for changing the control arm complete is that replacing the pivot bushings is a real pain and hard to get right (they are crimped in), and it's far easier to just swap the control arm for a new one. You get the new ball joint and new bushing in one shot. I'ts not much more work to change it complete -- compress spring, unclamp balljoint pivot, remove pivot bolts, put the new one in, replace bolts, release spring. Easier than the ball joint, which can be a PITA. Peter
Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
That makes sense to change out the whole thing - the surprising thing is that the biggest M-B dealer in the D.C. area only changed out the old ball joints on my older 124, even left the old ones in the trunk! It's nice to have an honest dealer, even if it might have saved money in the long run to change out the complete arms. Werner '90 300D 2.5, 230k miles '83 SD, 225k miles - Original Message - From: Peter Frederick [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 7:56 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior The reason for changing the control arm complete is that replacing the pivot bushings is a real pain and hard to get right (they are crimped in), and it's far easier to just swap the control arm for a new one. You get the new ball joint and new bushing in one shot. I'ts not much more work to change it complete -- compress spring, unclamp balljoint pivot, remove pivot bolts, put the new one in, replace bolts, release spring. Easier than the ball joint, which can be a PITA. Peter
[MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
I'm having the control arms changed out in the front of my 124, BUT what can I do about the slightly wandering rear end? I get a slight side to side wandering above 40mph Is this the rear end or could it be related to my spoiled control arms? If it is the rear, which bushing do I need to change out. I might do them at the same time. Thanks friends! John Peterson 1991 300D 2.5 81k Kingston RI
Re: [MBZ] Slightly Wandering Posterior
I'm having the control arms changed out in the front of my 124, BUT what can I do about the slightly wandering rear end? I get a slight side to side wandering above 40mph The multi-link rear suspension of the 201/124 (and probably everything later) is prone to this. You need to replace the links and bushings back there. Not that expensive, IIRC. -- Jim
