Rebuild Front End

[Alan]

I have a 1986 300SDL with 230,000 miles. I have alot of records on the car. I di not find one for a front end rebuild. Any idea what this might cost? I get a lot of front end shaking (both sides) when I brake. Thanks.

[tarbe]

Are you sure your rotors aren't just warped?

[Don350SDL]

Warped rotors are not unusual. If that's it, the parts are reasonable at the dealer, but a real PAIN to replace. I broke (!) a 10 mm allen wrench trying to remove the rotors from the hub. But, a reasonable DIY job if you have pateince and strength.

I'd pony up the cash and do the front wheel bearings at the same time (you have to remove the hub anyway), at the very least re-pack with the REAL MB Grease (green) - use no substitutes. Might as well hang pads, too.

Note that these rotors don't take well to being machined.


As for the front end, replacing ALL of the rubber would be north of $1000, about 50% for parts. But, not everything will need replacement - - well, at 230k, maybe it all will.

When you;re done, it will drive like new. remember to consider the rear rubber, as well as motor mounts for the full effect. The money will be well spent, and make you fall in love with it all over again.

Don

[gerryvz]

As Don said, have all front chassis rubber replaced. This means subframe mounts, motor mounts, transmission mounts, sway-bar bushings, steering shock, etc. Total cost will run probably $1,000-1,200 at an indy shop, parts and labor. Your car will feel 100% different.

MB rotors should NEVER be machined. They are always replaced once they reach a certain specified wear point. You need a pair of calipers to measure them properly, but a good rule of thumb is that if you can feel a solid ridge at the outer edge of the braking surface, the rotor should be replaced. Replace in pairs (front and rear) and change pads at the same time. Don't forget the little grease packets that MB supplies !!

MB rotors for a 126 are rather cheap, particularly mail-order. Go with a name brand -- no aftermarket non-German junk.

Cheers,
Gerry

[Don350SDL]

Even the dealer is quite inexpensive for 126 rotors.

Don

[Alan]

Thanks for the thoughts. I would have to look, but I think I changed rotors two years ago (along with pads). We're off to the shop now and in a short while I should know. BTW the motor mounts were replaced a few months ago when the engine was rebuilt. Thanks again.

[BuyMBparts]

Even the dealer is quite inexpensive for 126 rotors.

Don

Dealer suggested retail is $92.00, dealer suggested wholesale is $74.00, most on line suppliers are asking around $45.00. That seems like half price to me. Maybe I am missing something here?

[Alan]

My shop determined that the brakes and rotors were fine (I replaced all four rotors and pads 1 1/2 years ago). They recommend replacing upper and lower ball joints and caster joints. I asked about bushings and they said they were fine. I conclude therefore that they were not going to replace them.

I called a local MB dealer, service dept. Naturally they want to perform their own analysis, but they quoted me a price substantially less than the shop. The service tech included the bushings in his estimate. He believed they were an integral step in the replacement process.

Looks like I'm off to the dealer. I may call one other guy I know for an estimate. Any thoughts?

[Alan]

Can the repair work be done in stages - lower ball joints on month, upper the next? If so what order is best? Is this a project I could do? I have doen this before on a 67 mustang and a 94 Ford Aerostar.

[Robert Goodwin]

Yes you can do the job in stages.

The down side is that you need to realign the front end after each stage.

If you do upper, then lower ball joints followed by brake support joints that will be 3 alignments.

Cost for 3 alignments could be as much as $450, depending on where you have them done. Not everyone who says they can align a Mercedes can actually align a Mercedes. Ask them if they will be using a spreader bar.

If you get a dumb look, run away.