Robert Schrader

At the last routine maintenence, the dealer - who is a perfectionist - recommended replacing the front lower control arms and thrust arms. I took it to an independent mechanic - who is more price conscious - and he said that the thrust arm bushings must be replaced, and everything else is tolerable. I'm not feeling rich these days, and wondering how much I can do myself and how much I can leave unrepaired.

Questions:

1) Is replacing the thrust arm bushings something that I can do myself with common hand tools or is a press required? Is it easier to just replace the whole arm and bushing as one unit? On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult is it? ( 1 = filling tire, 10 = overhaul engine & tranny )

2) The dealer quoted $989 for parts ( not including tax or labor ) to replace the front lower control arms and thrust arms. Is this reasonable?

3) The indepedent quoted me $320 parts and labor to replace the bushings. Is this reasonable?

4) What do bad front lower control arms and thrust arms feel/look like?

5) If I buy parts myself, what are reasonable prices, especially for the bushings? And where do you recommend buying them?

Thanks, and a Merry Christmas to all.

LILBENZ230

See my responses in bold.

Robert Schrader

I need some clarification of the exact words that should be used to describe the suspension parts. My local dealer refers to "front lower control arms and thrust arms", but I've checked several online parts suppliers, and when I enter the term "thrust arm", they always infer that it is a rear thrust arm. None of them sell a "front thrust arm".
Does the front indeed have thrust arms? Or are they properly referred to as control arms, lower and upper? One site refers to a "front lower rearward control arm".
Thanks

LILBENZ230

I've only seen them listed as control arms, but heard the bushings referred to as thrust bushings.

kah1010

They seem to go with different names, according to epc, the "lower one" is called "Thrust Arm" or "Cross Strut" - and the upper (closer to bumper) is just "Strut".

Yes, bushings only can be replaced. I did mine couple years ago, straight forward job, but takes time (at least in my case) and press to get the bushings out and new ones in.

K

Glyn M Ruck

The technically correct name for the thrust arm bushes is "castor arm bushes." They are a weakness on the W203/204. With the correct press the bush replacement is an on the car job & easy. The arms control front castor angle.

You should install the fluted 3 position bolts at the same time to give you castor adjustment to correct pulling with the camber of the road etc.



See this thread for explanation & bulletin.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...need-help.html

Robert Schrader

Thanks, everyone!

So is this ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Thr...item519c12f05d ) the required press? Or can it be done with a more generic item?

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - that is not as elegant as the genuine tool but looks as though it will do the job.

Hogger

I just did mine.
Wasn't that difficult, probably a 4-5 depending on tools you have, and your mechanical abilities.

I ended up pulling the arms completely off and taking them to a local machine shop. Way easier than trying to pull and press while still attached. Plus it will be easier to be sure they are properly lined up. The shop pressed in the new bushings for $7.50 a piece. A whole lot cheaper and easier than buying a $190 tool and doing it myself.
If you remove the old ones yourself just be sure you mark the alignment of the bushing as it sits in the arm.

samaritrey

I will say that the arms ball joint can go bad but that is not as common as the bushing going bad. I have had one upper and one lower arm have issues with the ball joint but I am at a way higher mileage then you i suspect.

MW_ATL

Glad you posted, as this is something I will be needing to Take care of this spring as well. Answered many of my questions as well.

Midnight05C230

Bringing this back, has anyone ever experimented with filling the caster bushings with anything like window weld or polyurethane? In the Honda world that is common for mounts and figured it might be a tad bit more convenient and cost effective to just fill them.

Glyn M Ruck

Not a sensible option here plus the fact that the Benz bushes are silicone fluid filled.

Midnight05C230

There has to be something to avoid replacement every 30K, Im going to fill mine with silicone when I replace them since polyurethane might be too solid.

sammydragon3

i've never had a problem with my bushings only the balljoints..today i just replaced my outer tie rods and it got rid of a knocking noise

samaritrey

+1 mine have never had issues I just had to replace mine due to ball joint wear instead.

Glyn M Ruck

Fit the new W204 bushes. They are much better.

Midnight05C230

Do they just press right in or is there some other modification involved?

Glyn M Ruck

They just press right in. No mod required. Identical size.

J.Christian

One of the thrust arm bushings needed replaced on my mother's C230 Kompressor when I sent her to get an alignment in Charleston, WV... (Smith's) They charged about $350 I think it was and told her it really needed it and was a safety issue and showed her the torn part when finished. I think her total for alignment, TAB, and a recall (nc) was about $500.

regards,
Jamie

Glyn M Ruck

The bushings are only about $20 each so someone is making money on this.

J.Christian

That's why we call them "stealerships" right?

Jamie

Midnight05C230

Awesome, thank you.

Blackbradpitt

My benz repair shop told me the lower control arm bushings are worn and thrust arms need replacing. They told me expect the total for everything to be around 1k. Does this sound about right? I've only started using this shop in 2012, want to make sure I'm not getting screwed.

Was planning on taking my C320 in next week for the repair. But after reading this thread, I'm wondering if I could save a whole lot of $$$ and just do this myself. I do have a buddy that has a press I could use. Now the biggest jobs I've done myself so far are only replacing brake pads and rotors or installing a new bumper/hood. But I'm not afraid to do something a little more difficult, and I'd love to learn something new. Should i give it a shot, or is this just to complicated?

1st lite

The price your repair shop quoted to replace the lower control arms seems a little high. This job is possible for the DIY'ers. I did the upper and lower control arms on my C240 and I believe the lower control arms are easier than the uppers. You need your basic set of wrenches & socket set. I think the largest wrench & socket you will need is a 22mm? Plus you will need a "ball joint separator or pickle fork".
Check out "autohausaz.com or rmeuropean.com for the parts. They are great to deal with. If you need a diagram and torque specs., let me know.
Good Luck.