280S Suspension Refurbishment

[TJ 450]

In continuation with the preparation for rego inspection thread, I've commenced the suspension work.

With the aid of WGB's suspension spring compressor, I have now removed the rear springs, and the sub frame is ready to slide out.

After locating the two plate, the telescoping tube is inserted through the hole in the trailing arm where the shock absorber/strut would normally be located. The spring was then ready to compress.




Removed;


Typical dirt accumulation. This was a country car. The shiny patch on the brake rotor is enough to cause minor pedal pulsation/braking vibration.


The car is securely supported (lens distortion);


Tim

[s class]

Cool.  What all are you replacingat the rear end?

[TJ 450]

The rear end is receiving new trailing arm bushes and sub frame mounts. I'll also be giving it a really good clean and inspecting the half shafts, diff, and replacing the brake hoses.

Later on I'll replace the shocks (one of them is leaking), and sway bar links, as I only have a few weeks remaining before the re-inspection time period lapses.

Front end work will consist of re-bushing the lower control arms, cross yoke, and replacing the lower ball joints + alignment. Everything else (except the shocks) was replaced by a previous owner a few years back, including the drag link and track/tie rods/idler arm bushes.

Tim

[WGB]

Good to see the spring compressor in action.

Thanks for the photos.

Bill

[TJ 450]

Not a worry Bill. Thank you for the loan of the compressor, it really makes spring removal that much safer and easier at the same time.

Tim

[robertd]

That spring compressor is the real McCoy, good work boys
Rob

[TJ 450]

Things have gone well so far, but I encountered an obstacle... The hole in the suspension tower on the 116 is slightly too small a diameter to accommodate the spring compressor tube, so I had to ream it out. Even then it was a snug fit, so I am going to need to enlarge the holes so I can actually get the compressor out when I refit the springs.

Obviously this might be an issue on a car with a pristine engine bay.

I'm a little too exhausted to take photos at the moment unfortunately. They will come in due course.

And yes, I should probably inform that this one is a solo effort thus far, except for the test drive, and the various tools I've borrowed.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

.

[TJ 450]

Indeed MT.

I'll be unbolting the front lower control arms this weekend, and removing the cross yoke. It will be very interesting to observe the condition of the bushes and ball joints.

Tim

[TJ 450]

I removed the front right lower control arm and steering knuckle assembly this evening.

Control arm and steering knuckle assembly;


Slightly shredded LCA rear bushing;


Bushing that failed the car with play;


Rear end removed a few days ago;


You can see the rearmost unused centre support mount here (furthest forward);


Nothing much remains;


Same;


To be honest, the front end was quite serviceable, but at least I won't need to go back in there for a while.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

.

[TJ 450]

Yes, there's not much to the rear end at all.

Regarding the cleaning of the underbody, I'm not allowed to make a mess on the paving so it will have to wait until I can move the car. 

I'll be cleaning up the suspension components in the meantime though.

Tim

[gf]

Any one know how different the w126 rear suspension is to one of these? you must give is a test drive report when its done tim! awsome work!

[Big_Richard]

.

[TJ 450]

The 126 rear suspension is almost the same, just some slight differences. The front end on the W126 is similar to the W123.

Yep, I'll certainly do a report at the end.

MT, I don't want to push my luck too far, haha.

Tim