1984 Mercedes 300SD W126 - Front Suspension Rebuild - Part 5

[@royfrancois2360]

I made a write up at the 500Eboard, in the C126 section [500Eboard/C126 Coupes/C126 "How Too" Tutorial Articles/HOW-TO: Replace W126 Front Lower Control Arm Bushings (and Tool Design)]. I also published in that thread the drawings of the adapters for public use (in case somebody wants to make them). A more appropriate fluid to be used as "sliding fluid" is 50/50 water and soap.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Indeed. I will give it a try next time.

[@mercedesw1262]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for all the information...

[@1995bulldog]

Awesome I didn’t no there was a tool for this when I did mine last year! I used the press for it all

[@hayest4468]

Those end caps are a booger. I pressed mine in using the C-clamp tool from the balljoint install but once I got them started I found and cut a metal pipe with similar ID to the endcap OD, put one of the supplied C-clamp tool plates on it and it pressed from the outside. Then to finish it off I switch back to pressing on the center again and everything flushed even. Tricky without that tool you got there which appears to be no longer available.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I had not checked on its availability since I bought it actually. Not surprised as there are a lot of things in short supply these days.

[@lewism8_]

Had difficulty with this one, both my end caps pressed on as far as they could go but they both still had a very large gap ~5mm from sitting flush.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

This is fitment is quite difficult.

[@louisbennett7709]

Love your video but you're using your Cresent Wrench backwards. The stationary end carry's the torque when tightening and loosening.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I think it will be ok.

[@hamshank29]

When you fit the lower control arm back on the car, where in the slot is it supposed to fasten; the middle?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Not sure I completely understand the question. However the control arm with its new bushing is a snug fit into the mounting location, especially after the bolt is tightened.

[@hamshank29]

@@ImpalamansGarage yes but the bolt runs through a slot so can be fastened in different positions. After some thought, I will leave it slightly loose then fasten it fully once the car is back on the ground

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Ok. I think you are referring to the eccentric nature of that bolt that is used to adjust the camber. Go to the 8:05 mark of part 2 of the front end rebuild series. I used a punch to make marks on the eccentric washer on the lower control arm bolt before I removed it. That way when everything is reassembled you can get the camber adjustment back where it started. Will need an alignment after this job anyway but putting stuff back where you found it will allow for descent drivability to the alignment shop.

[@hamshank29]

@@ImpalamansGarage oh I saw that but i forgot to mark it 😅. Is there anything wrong with what I'm proposing?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@hamshank29 Also go to 11:35 in part 7 of the series.

[@1995bulldog]

Sadly when I did mine I’m almost certain I did the bushing orientation wrong, but it’s gone 10k perfect so far so I guess we’ll see

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Hey man no worries. If it works it works.

[@mercedes12383]

Do you have a contact # for KTC, snd what is the cost of the special tool mbz 2006? Thank you.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

See the link in the description. Once you are on the KTC website, select "About Us" for contact information. I don't recall the price.

[@krroes]

Looks like $250

[@lesdmark]

It really stinks that Mercedes took away access to the startek website that the link above provided access to.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yeah I am thinking of taking down that video describing how to access it.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I downloaded a fair amount of service manual stuff. Email me if you need something. I might have something useful.