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280S Suspension Refurbishment

Started by TJ 450, 11 January 2012, 08:53 AM

TJ 450

#15
I removed the left hand lower control arm/steering knuckle assembly today, then removed all the front end bushes. I broke my ball joint remover attempting to remove the lower supporting joints, hence why they are still attached.

WGB has already done a pictorial on this subject, so I won't delve into too much detail on this occasion.

Sliced through bearing section of inner forward lower control arm bushing to remove;


Prised off with screwdriver;


Pulled out;


X yoke bushes removed;


Bushing just sitting there;


As it is now, all bushes removed;


As I said before, these were only slightly worn. Seeing as the one piece X yoke bushes were fitted, I'd say these were all replaced some years ago. The rearmost bushes on the lower control arms showed the most wear, with tearing of the rubber evident. There was also rust on the inside of the control arm where the bushes were situated. The rust isn't an issue though, nothing a bit of Emery cloth wouldn't fix.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

1980sdga

Good job and thanks for the pics!

Nasty work aint it?

s class

Well done.  Its a prick of a job to rebush the front end. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

Big_Richard

#18
.

mirafioriman

I don't own a press although currently I could use the one at work. I've found that an air hacksaw, hammer and chisel can be used to good effect when removing old bushes such as the BMW ones mentioned ;)
I'm called Dave! I currently own: Mercedes W116 450 SEL 6.9, Mercedes W109 300 SEL 6.3, Mercedes W126 420 SEL, Fiat 130 Berlina, Fiat 131 Supermirafiori, Fiat 131 Panorama, Fiat 132 2000, Fiat Argenta and a Citroen Xantia.

Big_Richard

#20
.

koan

I always made do with bits of threaded rod, nuts and washers of various sizes, some home made. Large size sockets come in handy too, so pressure is applied to the rubber and not the metal tube through the middle which will push out.

A press would be nice all the same.

koan 
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, Amen!

WGB

Quote from: s class on 14 January 2012, 01:35 PM
Well done.  Its a prick of a job to rebush the front end.

But eminently worth the end result - I reckon it is one of the best bangs for your buck you can do on a 116 - especially if you do it yourself and don't have labour costs.

Bill.

TJ 450

Yes, I don't find the job too bad at all, but it is a lot of work all the same. I'll need to work out what I'm doing with the lower ball joints though, as I don't have the tool. I'll probably just buy the special tool, as I still have two cars to do at the very least.

The two sockets and the rod from the generic spring compressor has done the job for all the front end bushes... You can't complain with that result, and it will press the new ones in as well. 8)

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

TJ 450

I've now got the front end in situ. Those rear lower arm bushes went in easily bar one... It deformed, but I eventually got it in. Everything else was much easier than I thought.

I'll post some pics when I get the rear end organised.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

s class

Quote from: TJ 450 on 18 January 2012, 11:01 AM
.... Those rear lower arm bushes went in easily bar one...

Then you are a very lucky bloke - or a better man than I - I've only got them in with a lot of bad language in the past. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

TJ 450

I reckon I was just lucky on this occasion. 8)

Here are the pics of the progress so far. I haven't fitted the lower supporting joints... I'll do that later when I've got the special tool. It can be done without spring removal, with care.

Pressing the bearings on;


Pressing in the front LCA rear bushes, the ones s class talked about.


Pressing in the one piece yoke bushes;


Installed;


The unit;


Pressing out the old one (trailing arm, left rear outer);


New one going in, square washer was later replaced with socket for clearance;


Fully fitted;


Pressing in;


Subframe mount installed;


The next step is to clean it all up a bit.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

KenM

You're making it all look too easy TJ, tell me you at least broke a sweat...

TJ 450

#28
Removal of the parts from the car would be the most "physically" challenging task, otherwise it was quite easy. Bear in mind though that I've been going step-by-step, drawing it out a bit.

By the way, fitting all the assemblies is even more difficult than removal in my experience.

I used a petroleum jelly type lubricant with PTFE added, which made the bushes slide in very easily and quickly. Once this car is done and dusted, I'll do the front end on the 6.9, but with genuine rubber parts... I used Meyle (Made in China/Thailand) on this.

I have a pair of Lemfoerder lower supporting joints that will be fitted to the 280S later, when I get the tool.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

TJ 450

I'm on the home stretch now.

Everything has been refitted, all that remains in that regard is the exhaust and prop shaft.

All suspension bolts will need to be set to the scribed marks and torqued to spec, but other than that it's ready to roll.







The boot is permanently deformed due to having an internal vacuum for some time, it would seem. There are no cracks in it though.


Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500