124 rear suspension upgrade
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 136
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From: Massachusetts
Mercedes-Benz 300D TURBO 1987
124 rear suspension upgrade
If your 124 is ten years old the chances are fairly good that your rear, upper strut links are history. Many of us are reluctant to spend money on our car unless we can experience a real difference. This is such a case. To test your car have it put up on a lift and remove the rear wheels. Lock a pair of Visegrips vertically on the control arm (top one). Place the wrench between your first and third finger and gently try to rock the wrench back and forth. If it moves, your arms are junk. This is the control arm that bears the brunt of the force when you take a corner. The original arm has been upgraded to a heavy duty version, part #210-350-33-06 (need two), and the bolt has been changed to an allen head type which allows correct torquing unlike the o.e. one. Part#210-350-45-06 (need two). You will notice a substantial difference right away. If you've upgraded your sway bars, and you haven't pereformed this upgrade, you don't know what you're missing! These parts are available discounted from Rusty Cullen at 800-741-5252. P.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Mercedes-Benz 300D TURBO 1987
Rear suspension 400E
The upgraded part was not made available until about 6 years ago. All 124 produced in '86 (sold here as '87 year model) had the original five arm, multi-link rear suspension. The test will tell! It is definitely worth having the car raised, wheels removed, and Visegrip test! P.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Am I delirious?
Please help me. Am I delirious, or is this the link for the rear swaybar that I have read about on other posts? I read on other posts that the link pictured here was usually made of plastic and that only the wagons had the metal link. I also read that the metal links were no longer available so everyone had to use plastic. I am thrilled to think that I may be able to get a "heavy duty" metal link instead of the plastic part when I get my E500 rear swaybar. 
Is this an OEM upgrade from Benz?
Is this an OEM upgrade from Benz?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 429
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From: London, UK
W124
I think pkmaven is talking about the upper control arm, not the anti roll bar link. The part number you want ksing is 124-320-04-89. I don't see any reason why it's not still available.
I will check my control arms when I'm next under there. Thanks for the info pkmaven.
BTW I'm sure there are plenty of rubber bushes on an 87 car that could do with changing..sometimes it's best not to look
I will check my control arms when I'm next under there. Thanks for the info pkmaven.
BTW I'm sure there are plenty of rubber bushes on an 87 car that could do with changing..sometimes it's best not to look
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Hedgesville, WV
1990 300E 2.6
Rear sway bar link
Having just installed the Sportline rear sway bar, I too am interested in whether or not the heavier-duty metal link from the TE will fit. Rusty had no idea or info. My MB dealer could not say. Short of having one of each to compare or the experience of someone who has made the change, how do you know?
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Search the forums, but I read that it fits
The parts guys at the dealers do not usually know, although I have read that some of the guys on the web know a lot about the modification stuff. I think you have to trust information from the forums, but you have to get more than one opinion to be sure.
I read on one of the forums that the TE link would fit. In fact, I have read that most things fit all the W124s. There are some issues with the air suspension and maybe something with 4-matics. There are also some differences with 8 cylinder vs. 6 cylinder cars. For example the front swaybar from the 6 cylinder does not fit the 8 cylinder, but the 8 cylinder bar fits the 6 cylinder.
I am just going with what the guys on the forums suggest, but it is really great when you can get the same answer from a number of different posts. I especially like well documented installs with the pictures and part numbers. The details always give me a lot more confidence.
I read on one of the forums that the TE link would fit. In fact, I have read that most things fit all the W124s. There are some issues with the air suspension and maybe something with 4-matics. There are also some differences with 8 cylinder vs. 6 cylinder cars. For example the front swaybar from the 6 cylinder does not fit the 8 cylinder, but the 8 cylinder bar fits the 6 cylinder.
I am just going with what the guys on the forums suggest, but it is really great when you can get the same answer from a number of different posts. I especially like well documented installs with the pictures and part numbers. The details always give me a lot more confidence.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Mercedes-Benz 300D TURBO 1987
Upgraded rear suspension link
The upper "strut" link I am talking about, and showed a picture of, was not supplied by MB until the mid '90's. I learned about it when my car was on a lift and my mechanic put the Vise Grips on it and wiggled the wrench. There was sufficient play for him to tell me that I needed two of these. The other four control arms were tight, but because this arm really carries the gravitational pull when cornering, in its original o.e. form it was not built strong enough to continue carrying the weight and force. The bushings failed sooner than expected (I am told by the guy who heads the parts dept. at my local MB dealer) and the steel was quite minimal (see picture). My mechanic friend smiled when I told him I needed two new arms. He reached under the counter and pulled out one of the newly upgraded ones and an original, dirty, o.e. one. It was easy to identify the difference. He explained that MB had greatly strengthened the upgraded arm and they had redesigned the bolt. The old bolt had a hex head that was very hard to tighten because of the weird angle and minimal space where a socket or wrench had to go, but the newly designed bolt has an allen -hex head which makes thing much easier. This is not a diy job unles you have a lift, large steel bar, and much patience. It is called the upper strut link because of where it is. Actually it is the outer arm on top. All 124 body sedans have a five arm multi-link rear suspension regardless of engine. P.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
The link in the photo is the torque arm (I know, because it's my photo!) This is the link that is closest to the sway bar frame mount. On early 124's (86-89) they are almost *always* worn out, as show in the photo. The rubber is just disintegrated. They're about $30 each for the new part, you will need the new bolt kit AND the bolt sleeve as well (the bolt size is different). The dealer (or Rusty, 800-741-5252) will have the info you need. The strut was also reinforced greatly, as you can see. The other links have been strengthened as well (now all 210- part numbers, I think). However this torque arm is the one that usually is the worst (may be better on 1990-up cars). The other links are usually OK, but the lower spring link (the really big one on the bottom) can have the bushings wear out on BOTH ends (check inner AND outer).
ksing, the sway bar end link is totally different. The part number for the metal link is on the infamous sway bar spreadsheet/PDF file (it's 124-320-04-89). Whoever said it's not sold anymore should be slapped upside the head. It's on the MB-USA price list for about $20. It may be special order from Germany, but even so, MB Europe shows it is available:
http://wwwsg.daimlerchrysler.com/Pro...y&etpl_lang=01
Good luck,
This is the link that is closest to the sway bar frame mount. On early 124's (86-89) they are almost *always* worn out, as show in the photo. The rubber is just disintegrated. They're about $30 each for the new part, you will need the new bolt kit AND the bolt sleeve as well (the bolt size is different). The dealer (or Rusty, 800-741-5252) will have the info you need. The strut was also reinforced greatly, as you can see. The other links have been strengthened as well (now all 210- part numbers, I think). However this torque arm is the one that usually is the worst (may be better on 1990-up cars). The other links are usually OK, but the lower spring link (the really big one on the bottom) can have the bushings wear out on BOTH ends (check inner AND outer).ksing, the sway bar end link is totally different. The part number for the metal link is on the infamous sway bar spreadsheet/PDF file (it's 124-320-04-89). Whoever said it's not sold anymore should be slapped upside the head. It's on the MB-USA price list for about $20. It may be special order from Germany, but even so, MB Europe shows it is available:
http://wwwsg.daimlerchrysler.com/Pro...y&etpl_lang=01
Good luck,
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
Sway bar, you need to modify the bushings to make it work. I've never done it, sorry.
Aluminum torque arm looks pretty and is probably stronger. Plus it costs twice as much so your wallet will be lighter, making the car go even faster.
Aluminum torque arm looks pretty and is probably stronger. Plus it costs twice as much so your wallet will be lighter, making the car go even faster.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 54
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1987 300E
Bumping this thread for more info.
Does anyone have a link on how to install the #210-350-33-06?
I bought 2x Lemfoerder arms, and 2x mounting kits. I just need install instructions (and the size of the torx bit too please?)
Thanks!
Does anyone have a link on how to install the #210-350-33-06?
I bought 2x Lemfoerder arms, and 2x mounting kits. I just need install instructions (and the size of the torx bit too please?)
Thanks!
