W124 Project - I replace the steering idler arm bushings

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

I've now just completed this on my R129 (engine in situ) and without you pointing out about the small washer I would have put it in the wrong place as I dropped the bits on the floor so a big thank you.

[@TOONACEDRELA]

I did mine from underneath and had no problem. It's one of the few jobs we RHDrivers win on! Must be a pain on LHD with the exhaust in the way.

[@beautgrainger147]

It depends on the engine.. I can do it on a w201 with the om602 in place.

[@enesalkovicguitar]

My mechanic removed it with engine in car and installed new one in like 20 minutes... There was some force and hitting used, but when it works it works lol

[@ersanylmz616]

Which material? lenförder febi swag ?

[@MMWA-DAVE]

@@ersanylmz616 from memory; it was febi most likely or lemforder.

[@Johnathan_Waters]

I just did this exact repair on my W140 sedan yesterday. And YES, it it definitely much more difficult with an engine in place lol.

[@raveservice3749]

So thankful for this video. I'm replacing my idler arm bushing which I removed 2 weeks ago and forgot the orientation

[@mattenglish5047]

Really inspiring stuff-many thanks. I am rebuilding a 300TD estate. I have owned it for nearly 25 years and done 300,000 miles in it. In the UK, we have a dire climate and I smile every time you say "I expect this would be much more difficult if you live in a country where there is salt on the roads"...Too right! I am going to invest in an impact wrench though!

[@СссрСсср-ш8м]

👍👍👍

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Excellent commentary. Thank you !

[@ka-benz]

I just replaced the idler arm bushing kit on my W126 today. After watching your excellent video, Your use of a torch worked good to remove lower bushing. Thank you for the info. This saved me a lot of time.

[@MMWA-DAVE]

Also handy for other suspension rubber bushing removals too, though the smoke produced is a bit ridiculous

[@gioiosa54]

hello ,,my w124 needs this bushing kit ,,however the assembly schematic provided by mercedes differs from what you have shown , the schematic I have ( from mercedes parts dept) shows the top washer to be installed under the bolt head not above the metal bushing cap

[@MMWA-DAVE]

Yes I just looked at the diagram someone sent me. If i have put it under the cap instead of the bolt head indeed that’s incorrect. I still haven’t had the front wheel alignment done and will double check what ive done on the weekend. From memory i did pick up this mistake and correct it.

[@biopump2000]

@@MMWA-DAVE so what is the correct orientation of the top washer?

[@johnbeck4216]

The use of a propane torch is genius.

[@Marsi190e]

Hi! Watched quite a few of you vids and i find them very helpfull. Was wondering if you could give me some advice on my recent problem. I have a 190e 1.8 non cat/lambda. When the car gets to operating temp, when at idle the rpm sometimes start to rise and fall repeatedly, also slugish acceloration and poor gas milage. Changed quite a few things like the distributer cap, spark plug wires, etc and no diffrence. Thinking it could be the eha or airflow sensor? Also the car started overheating in traffic due to the clutch fan not comming on (works if you bipass the sensor, all fuses good), changed 3different sensors and still the fan doesnt come on. Could these two problems be related?

[@MMWA-DAVE]

Definitely could be a worn out air flow sensor this is the single most important input on the ke-jetronic system, even more so on non cat cars. It is easy enough to test and what you want to see is a clean signal coming from it while deflecting the plate. Any jerkiness or noise indicates wear. I have a video showing this on the bench but its also documented online how to test on the car with key on engine off. The fan not coming on will be a separate issue as far as im aware on these its a temperature switch - i’ve never been a fan of this setup, personally I’d run an aftermarket fan controller and dial in a less ridiculous temperature for the fan to cut in and out on. There’s a school of thought on these m102 ‘s that the constant huge variation of temperature from the stock setup contributes to the failure of head gaskets.

[@bernardwarr4187]

Very useful, many thanks

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

Really helpful thanks.

[@bennaflanabil2757]

Good vidéo thanks

[@Drfine22]

Sir do you have a video on complete steering assembly and diassembly with the steering box. I asked my mechanic to reduce the steering wheel play and I don't know what he did and now I feel the steering is heavy. Thank you.

[@MMWA-DAVE]

the steering box i have not gotten to yet - it is still on my to do list as im not sure what to do about it myself. I may or may not reseal it myself. I still have not decided

[@Drfine22]

Thank you sir. If you do pls upload it.

[@MMWA-DAVE]

Palaniappa Kalairajan i definitely will if i do.

[@SuperBackhere]

My w124 got rear ended yesterday. I'll miss driving it for a month. I'll console myself with your videos.

[@MMWA-DAVE]

Oh no, this is is terrible news - I take it you are going to fix it? Over here with how expensive everything is as soon as a 124 is hit unless extremely minor it is game over. I worry about this every time I drive mine, especially when every second car here is a large SUV driven by people who mostly cant drive.

[@SuperBackhere]

@@MMWA-DAVE i daily drive it and now i consider to have some other car for daily driving which can be expandable. I was waiting at a red light and some idiot with Chevrolet Cruze hit me from rear end. His speed was nearly 50-60 km/h. My rear fenders and trunk lid is bent, bumper is broken, metal under the bumper is bent. His insurance will pay for the fixing costs. I live in Turkey. Repairs are easy compared to car's price. For example my car is nearly worth 10k usd and repairs will cost about 2k usd. I wish it didn't happen but we can't cure idiot.

[@MMWA-DAVE]

Bekir Karakulak good news that it can be fixed so cheaply here the prices would be the other way around, ie at least 10-20k to fix a rear impact like that so it is simply a death sentence for any 124 here in Australia if hit like this. Of course if it was a 500E it may be fixed but theres only a few in the whole country.

[@SuperBackhere]

@@MMWA-DAVE i wish you and your beautiful w124's a long and happy life.