[W126 Coupe] Steering Damper...

[Dick Spellman]

Hi Jon,

Maybe start with this DIY primer on the front suspension for 126 chassis 
MB's as I have come to know them.  Pasted from a post I made to someone 
in the past.


> I've done many partial and two complete 'zero clocking' of MB 126 

> suspensions, including my SEC.

>

> On the SEC you have the following which are replaced if worn in the 

> front suspension:

>

>     * Lower ball joints (display creaking and groaning, sounds like an

>       old boat going over bumps).  Elevated wheel and pry bar will

>       show up/down play on the joint pressed in the lower arm.  If

>       this is what you find, time to replace.  If no signs of trouble,

>       leave em alone.

>     * Wheel bearings, check/inspect when rotors replaced.  Sold as a

>       kit that included inner/outer bearings, races, the grease

>       dew-hickey(distributes the grease as the wheel rotates) in the

>       cap and the grease seal that sits up on the spindle.  I've done

>       them as a matter of course at 120k miles or so on my MB's.

>     * Upper ball joint and arm plus the (2) sway bar bushings, one to

>       either side of the upper arm.  I've done them when doing the

>       brake supports and shocks at the same time.

>     * Brake Support (track rod) displays clunking when you start/stop

>       also you can usually see the rubber boot has torn and in severe

>       cases physically move the rod in and out with a pry bar.

>     * I recommend you do the big rubber bearings in the 'dawg bone'

>       attached to the brake support if they are original or if oil has

>       spilled on them when doing the brake support (track rod).

>     * Idler arm - slop or play in the car while driving- either torque

>       the arm to see if it will tighten up or just replace with the MB

>       idler arm kit.

>     * Steering Dampner -  I just remove one bolt/screw and see if this

>       horizontal shock moves freely in and out.  If it does, time for

>       a new one.  If it's nice and stiff, leave it alone.  Severe wear

>       and it will rattle as the outer case smacks the inner case/rod.

>     * I always check under the battery tray (passenger side on US

>       models) to see if batt acid has had any impact on the sway bar

>       upper steel bracket or rubber mount.  If so, clean this up or

>       replace as needed.  Not so bad on the batt side.  And no fun at

>       all on the fuse box side which should be in relatively good

>       shape where not much can cause harm there.

>     * Tie-rod ends

>     * Steering box play-I've done this many times with great results

>       but, the how to is best left to someone else as doing this wrong

>       is costly

>     * Shocks all around - replaced when the car continues to bounce

>       more than 1 1/2 returns so to speak.

>     * Springs all around - replaced if badly rusted or if sagging in

>       the rear.  Pretty inexpensive using conventional MB springs. 

>       Can really improve ride quality.  Done these on one euro sedan

>       along with zero clock of entire suspension front and rear.  Then

>       the SEC enjoys the H&R's lowered with 18 inch rims and the

>       correct rake and alignment, plus new rubber spacing (nibs) front

>       and rear.  Ride is more responsive, corners flat for a big

>       chassis MB.  Ride is noticeably firmer than with stock springs. 

>       BTW I chose H&R Luxury Springs vs. the Sport.

>

> Don't know if I missed anything.  Not a mechanic just a back yard hack 

> that has been coached by the best on this list over the years.

> Carl, Steve, Mike and Jonathan (my parts supplier, too!) to name the 

> more proficient of the bunch.

>

> Rear suspension -

> Maybe another time as it's far more work than the front if you do the 

> whole enchilada or minor if you just do sub-frame mounts and sway bar 

> bushings.

>

> Regards,

>

> Dick



/Jon Pridham wrote:

>  

> Hi Everybody,

>  

> What are the symptoms for a worn out steering damper?

>  

> Reason i'm asking is that i'm due to replace my current front shocks 

> (lower bush mounts are past their best!) with some Bilstein HD's and i 

> noticed they do a steering damper.

>  

> I know on certain components you expect to replace items after a 

> certain milage or lifespan ie, timing chains and accessories etc.  

> Now, as far as i know i still have the original damper fitted, and 

> she's entering her 21st year and just shot past 148,000mls in style! :o)

>  

> Any info would be much appreciated!

>  

> Thanks

>  

> Jon

>  

> 1982 380SEC

> 1987 560SEC

>  

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Messenger on the move. Text MSN to 63463 now! 

> <http://mobile.uk.msn.com/pc/messenger.aspx%20>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/mbcoupes/attachments/20080317/704c8a9d/attachment.htm>