w124 tie rods

[millo777]

I'm about to change all of the steering joints (Tie rods, drag link, idler bush and damper) on my w124, and prefer to use Lemforder.

Looking at the ZF webcat, and a few online shops it seems Lemforder only make the left hand Tie rod.

Is there any reason the same part couldnt be used on both sides?

Presumably the only difference is the thread orientation for the adjustment?, and aside from confusing the garage that does the tracking, would there be any problems?

 

[WDB124066]

No, if it is LH for a RHD chassis it will give you sharper steering because it doesn't contain the damper material.

 

[millo777]

Thanks for that, I guess I'll get them from the dealer then.

Its very strange that Lemforder only make the left one (The same part is also for fitting on the right on LHD cars)

 

[WDB124066]

There you go, mechanics trick to help stiffen up the feel a bit. When I first got the car I just could not get it on the road in a corner where I wanted it, it was a matter of point and hope and what ever you did do do not contemplate changing line half way around a bend. That has all gone now with new steering and suspension components. It is reasonably precise is a 124's steering when everything is set up just right - not perfect but not that bad really.

While you are at it get somebody who knows what they are doing to check & tighten up the steering box - if it needs it - and they almost always do.

 

[hotrodder]

Damper material?

I replaced both tie rods on mine just over a year ago with Lemforder and they did left and right versions then, basically mirror images of each other but painted different colours. Identical looking to the old ones i removed* and pics of genuine MB ones

124 330 0803 O: TIE ROD LEFT for Mercedes 124.092 (320TE / E320) and 124 330 0903 O: TIE ROD RIGHT for Mercedes 124.092 (320TE / E320) has other manufacturer part # and bizarrely suggests the stealer might supply Meyle which i thought (quite possibly wrongly) weren't considered to be much cop? The internet recognises both the Lemforder part # from that site

Carparts4less are only listing RH Lemforder tie rods but they list them twice with different part numbers and if you check both listings one is pictured as black, the other grey... http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/track-rod-and-track-rod-end

* Man, were they tight! Almost killed my ball joint splitter in the process

 

[millo777]

The ZF webcat states that part number is for the right, and in the notes states it is to be used on the left for RHD cars. I assume ECP just took the first line of the description.

Stranegly when I put my reg number into ECP/Carparts4less both parts come up in the search, but if I click on the black one, it states it isn't the correct part for my car. Most odd.

Either way, they are £41 each form the stealer, so hardly the end of the world.

re the steering box, it's going to a specialist for a rebuild!

 

[WDB124066]

Damper material?

I replaced both tie rods on mine just over a year ago with Lemforder and they did left and right versions then, basically mirror images of each other but painted different colours. Identical looking to the old ones i removed* and pics of genuine MB ones

124 330 0803 O: TIE ROD LEFT for Mercedes 124.092 (320TE / E320) and 124 330 0903 O: TIE ROD RIGHT for Mercedes 124.092 (320TE / E320) has other manufacturer part # and bizarrely suggests the stealer might supply Meyle which i thought (quite possibly wrongly) weren't considered to be much cop? The internet recognises both the Lemforder part # from that site

Carparts4less are only listing RH Lemforder tie rods but they list them twice with different part numbers and if you check both listings one is pictured as black, the other grey... Track Rod | Track Rods End | Quality Steering Parts | Cheap Car Spares

* Man, were they tight! Almost killed my ball joint splitter in the process

Originally the driver's side was damped, has a slightly larger dia....

 

[bolide]

Replacing the steering idler is another cheap upgrade on these cars

Nick Froome