4Matic Front Lower Control Arm Outer Bushing
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Don't forget to order new self-locking bolts and nuts for sway bar end links, bushings, etc.
Sway bar end link bolt: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/me...link-bolt-front-e350-e500-e550-mer-0159909201
Sway bar end link nut: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-mercedes-benz-parts/nut-priced-each/913023012002/
Left and right hex head bolt: https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/78245/Control-Arm-Bolt-Front-Lower-308765014012/
Left and right hex head bolt: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-mercedes-benz-parts/bolt-priced-each/308765014023/
Nut for tapping screw: https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/78247/Control-Arm-Lock-Nut-Front-Lower-2029900851/
I cannot find the part numbers for the bolt and nut holding the outer bushing to the shock absorber, sorry.
If you don't want to go the new self-locking nuts/bolts route, I suggest you check on the forum for the use of a thread locker. Mercedes made those bolts and nuts non-reusable, unfortunately. Once loosened, they won't be as tight the next time you try to tighten them.
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/17753306-post5.html
Took the LCA in, they couldn’t do it because it’s aluminum and one of the bushing was too complicated or a liability for them.
Recommended another shop that would do it for $5 more per control arm. He wasn’t fond of corteco bushings and asked why i didn’t get Lemforder?
Said will be ready tomorrow afternoon .
Thank you EZZO for the info on the self locking bolts. I will have to go with the thread locker option, too late to order parts and also the bolts would be additional $50-$60. I can buys a lot of locktite for that money
Recommended another shop that would do it for $5 more per control arm. He wasn’t fond of corteco bushings and asked why i didn’t get Lemforder?
Said will be ready tomorrow afternoon .
Thank you EZZO for the info on the self locking bolts. I will have to go with the thread locker option, too late to order parts and also the bolts would be additional $50-$60. I can buys a lot of locktite for that money
They did a pretty good job well worth the moneY, There is no more squeaking, groaning or clunking noise from the LCAs.
Now I have other issues that needs Attention
Trying to figure out why it feels so harsh over small bumps and expansion joints, it literally feel like the strut is not absorbing any of the impacts from the road. No problem with long smooth stretches of road.
It definitely needs new tires and a alignment, would this cause the harsh ride?
Have appointment this Thursday to have the Indy look at it.
The airmatic raises and lowers without any issue.
There is a popping noise when I thorn the wheel all the way to the left or right. Seems like something is binding, Iam inclined to thinks the CV axels are bad.
Thanks
Have you checked your tire inflation pressure lately? Mine says it should be 30PSI for the front and 35 PSI for the rear. If tires are over-inflated, they will cause harshness over bumps and road imperfections, but not on long stretches.
Alignment might be one cause of the harshness too.
For the popping noise, I think it might be one or more ball joints. Let your indy take a look.
Alignment might be one cause of the harshness too.
For the popping noise, I think it might be one or more ball joints. Let your indy take a look.
Ezzo, you were correct
It was loose ball joints and some other nuts and bolts that were not tightened correctly
The Indy basically told me that the bolts need to be really tightened and cranked down.
The car rides 100x better, no clunking rattling or strange popping noises
This took care of the harsh ride I complained about earlier
The best part was he only charged me for the oil change, no extra charge for looking over the suspension and tightening the suspension
They’re Hoover Mercedes located in Parker, Colorado. I would highly recommend them
Ordered tires and will get a alignment next week
It was loose ball joints and some other nuts and bolts that were not tightened correctly
The Indy basically told me that the bolts need to be really tightened and cranked down.
The car rides 100x better, no clunking rattling or strange popping noises
This took care of the harsh ride I complained about earlier
The best part was he only charged me for the oil change, no extra charge for looking over the suspension and tightening the suspension
They’re Hoover Mercedes located in Parker, Colorado. I would highly recommend them
Ordered tires and will get a alignment next week
So a final update,
Installed new Yokohama avid ascent GT tires 245-45-17 and a alignment at Indy Hoover Mercedes. It’s amazing what a new set of tires can do .
It drives and handles like new, ocassional slight noise from suspension. Almost feels like a new car
Thanks to EZZO and everyone else who posted on this site.
Installed new Yokohama avid ascent GT tires 245-45-17 and a alignment at Indy Hoover Mercedes. It’s amazing what a new set of tires can do .
It drives and handles like new, ocassional slight noise from suspension. Almost feels like a new car
Thanks to EZZO and everyone else who posted on this site.
Just a update on the replacement bushings for the LCA.
this is my mothers car and I don’t drive it often. She told me it was making the thumping noise again . after looking at it. Seems like the bushings are shot and the whole vehicle seems unstable. Getting the Indy shop to confirm and see how much it would be with Mercedes’ OEM parts installed. I know the parts would be at least $1000 plus labor. Just too cold in the garage to do anything automotive.
she’s said it’s been going in for more than 6 months. Hopefully it’s the only issue anything more it would be time to trade it in for a Honda or Toyota,
this is my mothers car and I don’t drive it often. She told me it was making the thumping noise again . after looking at it. Seems like the bushings are shot and the whole vehicle seems unstable. Getting the Indy shop to confirm and see how much it would be with Mercedes’ OEM parts installed. I know the parts would be at least $1000 plus labor. Just too cold in the garage to do anything automotive.
she’s said it’s been going in for more than 6 months. Hopefully it’s the only issue anything more it would be time to trade it in for a Honda or Toyota,
The bushings should have lasted longer. Do you remember when you installed the LCA, did you tighten the bolts/nuts when the suspension had the full load of the car? The bolts should be tightened in the normal bushing position.. Otherwise, there will be a lot of tension on the bushings which leads to premature wear.
yes, I did follow all recommendations and tightened with the full weight of the vehicle.
Its Just too cold to work on cars in the garage. I’ll keep everyone informed
I just picked up the car, apparently it was the upper control arms., not the lower control arms
The ball joints were bad and a sway bar link was loose.
I replaced those parts myself along with the LCA about 2 years ago, wasn’t OEM parts.
the new Parts were $500 non OEM and labor was $1100. Feel so stupid having to pay for 7hours of labor. I questioned the labor they reduced it by $300 from the original amount.
I guess in the end most mechanics overcharge and go by book hours, instead of actual labor hours. Just my own personal opinion.
The ball joints were bad and a sway bar link was loose.
I replaced those parts myself along with the LCA about 2 years ago, wasn’t OEM parts.
the new Parts were $500 non OEM and labor was $1100. Feel so stupid having to pay for 7hours of labor. I questioned the labor they reduced it by $300 from the original amount.
I guess in the end most mechanics overcharge and go by book hours, instead of actual labor hours. Just my own personal opinion.
92 W140 300SD 97 VW Jetta TDI 05 E320 CDI 90 Passat Wagon TDI
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I assume you're talking about the upper ball joint being the bad one? Since you replaced the lower CA's and BJ's 2 years ago I would assume that since the new problem was upper control arm bushings that it would be the upper ball joint too that was also bad?
MB suspensions are designed to provide a level of comfort that can only be accomplished with soft rubber bushings and lots of them. It's only through isolation that the comfort level is preserved, and that means replacements need to be done in order to preserve that comfort level.
If these weren't replaced two years ago I'm not surprised they were bad now, and yes, it is unfortunate that weather forced you to pay for something that you're perfectly capable of doing.
It is, however, done and taken care of, so that's something good that came of it.
It's 2 degrees outside right now...and I'm glad I don't have anything that must be done, because it's just too cold out!
Steve
It’s cold here also, -4 this morning.
the issue I had was all those parts is that I replaced all of them at the same time as the LCA. All non OEM parts. my only issue was that they charged full book hours versus actual labor time. But when it need to be done, you need to pay.
seems better, but so cold that I only drove it home .
hopefully that’s the end of the suspension problems
the issue I had was all those parts is that I replaced all of them at the same time as the LCA. All non OEM parts. my only issue was that they charged full book hours versus actual labor time. But when it need to be done, you need to pay.
seems better, but so cold that I only drove it home .
hopefully that’s the end of the suspension problems
92 W140 300SD 97 VW Jetta TDI 05 E320 CDI 90 Passat Wagon TDI
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BTW, I don't believe I've ever had a problem with a Corteco product....
I'm still not fully clear on the issue, are you saying you replaced some items again? Because it's not clear that that's the case. My first inclination was that the problem this time was with upper control arms and upper ball joints that hadn't been replaced before, which is to be expected.
Steve
I'm still not fully clear on the issue, are you saying you replaced some items again? Because it's not clear that that's the case. My first inclination was that the problem this time was with upper control arms and upper ball joints that hadn't been replaced before, which is to be expected.
Steve
Sorry, for the misunderstanding.
I had replaced most of the suspensions parts in the last two years. Replaced both front airmatic struts, sway bars, bushings, upper control arm and ball joints. LCA we’re refurbished With new bushings and ball joints all torqued with the weight of the vehicle on the ground.
I was just upset that the same parts had failed so soon. The vehicle only has 66K Since buying it new since 2004.
again none of the parts were OEM Mercedes. Only the airmatic struts were remanufactured by Arnott.
thanks for letting me rant.
I had replaced most of the suspensions parts in the last two years. Replaced both front airmatic struts, sway bars, bushings, upper control arm and ball joints. LCA we’re refurbished With new bushings and ball joints all torqued with the weight of the vehicle on the ground.
I was just upset that the same parts had failed so soon. The vehicle only has 66K Since buying it new since 2004.
again none of the parts were OEM Mercedes. Only the airmatic struts were remanufactured by Arnott.
thanks for letting me rant.
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