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Putting my 84' 300sd front end in order

Submitted by DougTx on 28 June 2008 - 7:31am.
Hello everyone, I am working on some of the final steps of restoring my 84' 300SD and one of the last steps in the suspension. I have purchased a lot of the stuff already (from the source of course) and the rest my Benz insane brother gave me. Here is what I am doing and replacing to get back the newer ride and handling like when it was new(er). Any advice or missing items, I would sure appreciate before I get things torn down and and advice or thing to watch out for would be good also. Front Bilstein Comfort Shocks Front wheel bearing replacement kit (both sides) Front Rotors, pads,shim kits and sensors Support rod repair kit Lower ball joints Tie Rod replacement kit Upper control Arms (both sides) Steering Idler repair kit Steering shock absorber Rear - everything looks fine so I just got a pair of Bilstein replacement comfort shocks also. The links and the rest looked ok but I am open to suggestions. I know I have a blown front shock up front and the steering is a little vague on center (sloppy on center like most old cars get). Anyway... any advice or thoughts on anything I am missing would be greatly appreciated. Especially on the order to do the front in that would make sense and keep me from taking things apart multiple times would be really great. Thanks Doug in Dallas,Texas
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One thing to add

30 June 2008 - 6:47am
Kent Bergsma
Hi Doug, looks like you have things pretty well covered. If you are doing the lower ball joints I would recommend you also replace the lower control arm inner bushings. They are a rubber part that often goes bad with wear and age. CLICK HERE to view the part.

Doug 1984 300SD Kent, Did

4 July 2008 - 12:12pm
DougTx
Doug 1984 300SD Kent, Did the ALDA...wow, just wow. Got the repalcement line from you, pulled the banjo bolt and it was just about 90% blocked. Carb cleaner, new line that you suggested and what a major different. Accelerating from 50-70 comes with much smoother and more power and I do not have to force kickdown by mashing pedal. You can say it a million times, but clean your ALDA, replace the hose, clean you ALDA, clean your ALDA. Now on to the front end. Of course I waited until the 4th of July to start working and pulled the front shock out to replace the first one. I was just finishing my victory lap around the garage when I noticed that the ones I was replacing are not Bilstein and therefore I have no dustcaps. I am in a bad way here. Do you have them in case I cannot find them locally? I would deffinately add this to your article about the front end shock kit. Also instructions say included 12 point 10mm and none was there. I had one luckily but just thought I would mention. Let me know... I am Benzless until... Doug in Dallas looking for dust covers for my 1984 300SD.

Congrats

5 July 2008 - 11:17am
Kent Bergsma

Doug, good work on your engine. You have joined countless others in the ALDA miracle club!

Sorry none of our suppliers offer those dust covers. I think they figure you are suppose to have the old one! :-). I think I have some good used ones if you can't find any. Should be just fine to install the new ones and drive the car until you can get covers. Kent