Installing Front Camber/Castor Bolts & Thrust Arm Bushings (Possible DIY)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Don't know. Can't seem to get my hands up there.
But the passenger side basically only has one bolt with any tension on it.
Thats kinda scary. Especially considering where I drive, and how I occasionally like to drive.
There's a lot of force on these suckers, right?
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Nov 7, 2008 at 04:05 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 6
From: SE PA
2001 C320
If those things bolt into aluminum and MB over torqued them, they probably stripped them out for sure. If you go to tighten them and all they do is spin, that would be case. You still SHOULD be able to get them out, but then again, I'm not sure of you situation. If that is the case, I think your suggestion may be the best fix, drill out the stripped aluminum and tap the next size bigger into that. Just be careful with that aluminum though, I've had trouble tapping aluminum before where the tap didn't want to bite, just kept chewing up the hole I was trying to tap.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
For a hole that small?
I used one in a spark plug hole once....
I'm gonna get a better look at it today.
My primary concern is the one of the passenger side thats not biting.
Could be the drivers side has nuts on top and thats why they won't come out.
Glad the passenger side came out! You need to, to get the alternator out.
(Mine died the other day, got it fixed under warranty from the electric shop that rebuilt it. Zero Dollars.....priceless. )
I used one in a spark plug hole once....
I'm gonna get a better look at it today.
My primary concern is the one of the passenger side thats not biting.
Could be the drivers side has nuts on top and thats why they won't come out.
Glad the passenger side came out! You need to, to get the alternator out.
(Mine died the other day, got it fixed under warranty from the electric shop that rebuilt it. Zero Dollars.....priceless. )
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
So, I think it's a M8 x 1.25 thread metric,
and is approx 3" long.
Next size up the local hardware store is
M10. It's way huge.
So, I'm wondering if I should go with a SAE bolt, something slightly larger.
Any idea what that would be?
and is approx 3" long.
Next size up the local hardware store is
M10. It's way huge.
So, I'm wondering if I should go with a SAE bolt, something slightly larger.
Any idea what that would be?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Now to find the correct heli coil.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
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From: The land of the Pinoy's (Daly City)
02 C32 AMG
I just had this done to my 02 C32 at Wheel Works. They sell this camber bolts for $54 ea. Now all I need to do is get a right front upper control arm because the old one I have would not catch the grooves on the bolt, i guess the tech that worked on my car forced the bolt into the bushing and messed up the teeth inside.
Anyone know where to get one? stealership is asking $180
Anyone know where to get one? stealership is asking $180
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
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From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
When this happened to me I tried finding a Heli coil but they weren't deep enough, and there is the end that bends through the middle? I ended up bolting through and using nuts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Wish they could be tacked on...or something that might dig into the aluminum, a captive nut etc.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 233
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From: Vancouver, BC
C230 coupe, 335i
I am pretty sure you can reach the top. Dealer stripped mine and "fixed" it with helicoil. It came out with the bolt(not sure if its suppose to) when I changed the swaybar. I just put a nut and washer on top and bolt it up, didnt want to damage the aluminum on top.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I was just dealing with the front ones.
The rears seemed fine when I put the HR bar in recently.
Anyone know the torque spec?
The rears seemed fine when I put the HR bar in recently.
Anyone know the torque spec?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: VA
2002 C320
OES Genuine control arm bushings
I'm searching for upper and lower control arm bushings for the C320. I saw a post in a thread dedicated to the DIY swap out that indicated the OEM replacement could be found at oempartsdirect.com. Most sites have FEQ, Febi, and OES Genuine. These are the same options available at oempartsdirect.com.
Are these reputable brands?
Is one of them the manufacturer of the OEM part?
Am I better off spending an extra $40-$60 getting the OEM part from the dealership?
Are these reputable brands?
Is one of them the manufacturer of the OEM part?
Am I better off spending an extra $40-$60 getting the OEM part from the dealership?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
The oem parts direct that used to be there is no more. They where a dealer sealing parts to people for shop prices and are no longer selling parts on line. The site that comes up now is different and Im not sure about there parts.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
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2002 MB C230K sportcoupe
I would like to know is
If i were to upgrade my c230 coupe with the H&R sport cup kit ,dropping 1.5 to 2" , will the crash bolt be enough adjustment to get my camber corrected at the allignment shop or do I need to get the extra adjustment bolts ?
If i were to upgrade my c230 coupe with the H&R sport cup kit ,dropping 1.5 to 2" , will the crash bolt be enough adjustment to get my camber corrected at the allignment shop or do I need to get the extra adjustment bolts ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 3
From: Royal Oak, Michigan
Moped
BUMP! theres no DIY on this thread... 
ive been trying to install my new upper arm bushings. i can remove the whole arm i just cant get the old bushing off. how do you guys do it? i tried using a hammer already. also i broke one of the sway bar screws that goes under the sway bar bushing. my 10mm wont bite it anymore. its halfway in already.
ive been trying to install my new upper arm bushings. i can remove the whole arm i just cant get the old bushing off. how do you guys do it? i tried using a hammer already. also i broke one of the sway bar screws that goes under the sway bar bushing. my 10mm wont bite it anymore. its halfway in already.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
the 3 position fluted bolts are your only option without a move to an adjustable camber arm.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The further you push the wheels out on the back - the greater the propensity for negative camber & inside of tyre wear. You also need to watch the rear toe.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Just wanted to add a note to this thread mostly directed to Glyn. I was going through my paperwork and noticed, my last warranty repair when they replaced a faulty rack they also replace my caster arms with part# 204-330-44-11 and bearings(bushings) with part# 204-333-10-14 Glyn, those appear to be W204 chassis parts, so I wonder if the W204's have updated the arms and bushings to longer life parts, and they are installing them on the W203's to help the issue?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
John, I'll look into this issue because the 204's are also suffering castor bush deterioration at low mileage. I've just fitted new wheels & tyres to my car. While she was on the wheel alignment unit I had a good look at the so called improved bushes fitted to my car & much to my surprise they are perfect thus far.
BTW - I'm interested in your intended spacers at the back only & your experience.
BTW - I'm interested in your intended spacers at the back only & your experience.
