Over the last couple of nights I've been pecking away at the left side links/bushings on my 300TD. I started by pulling the wheel, brake caliper, and rotor, and then taking loose the parking brake shoes and the brake backing plate/dust shield. On my '95, I didn't need to loosen the brake backing plate, but on this '87 car it is required and makes the whole job much easier. The spring link came off next, using a trolley jack to lower it to let the spring relax so it could be safely removed.
I used the Sir Tools M0085 bushing press (with stripped threads on the bolt) in combination with the Harbor Freight ball joint tool to press out the outer spring link bushing which is in the bottom of the wheel carrier. On this side of the car, the wheel carrier casting was different which made placing the cups of the M0085 much easier so that it sat perfectly flush on the edge of the bushing and it came out quite nicely. Cleaned up the hole with wire brush, lubricated with anti-seize paste, and pulled the new bushing in with the M0085 (the end threads are still good enough to do this part of the job). Next I replaced the thrust link and the tie-rod link; again I used the MB special tool for removing tied rod ends, which easily popped off the tie rod from the wheel carrier. Pulling link and camber link were next, but couldn't complete the installation of these without new hardware, coming in the next box of goodies from Rusty. Good news for OK Don: Both Toolsource and Sir Tools have offered to replace the broken M0085 under warranty, so you will be getting either a new tool or a new bolt. Toolsource says they've already shipped a replacement tool, but I've got to return the broken tool to ensure it's covered by the warranty. Sir Tools says that they won't have a replacement bolt until January, but we probably won't have to wait for that. If a certain box is delivered this afternoon, I may be able to entertain you all with a happy ending later tonight! Very respectfully, /s/ Max Dillon Charleston SC '87 300TD 332k miles '95 E300 277k miles '73 Balboa 20 _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com