C230 Sport Coup

Yes, me too....maybe there's nuts on top on the drivers side.
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?

PA_Pete

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.

mleskovar

Helicoil.....

C230 Sport Coup

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. )

mleskovar

Sure. You can match the thread size and use the same bolt. If you drill it out for a bigger bolt then you'll have to drill the bushing cap as well. Helicoils are stainless and can be stronger than aluminum threads they replace.

C230 Sport Coup

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?

C230 Sport Coup

Oh yeh yeh...I see what you mean. Drill to M10, put in an M8 helicoil, and bolt it up.

Now to find the correct heli coil.

MBZAMG32

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

RES

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.

C230 Sport Coup

Hmmm....I need to take a 2nd look at whole mess. Hard to see if it's possible to reach the top of the bolts.
Wish they could be tacked on...or something that might dig into the aluminum, a captive nut etc.

oel

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.

spyderpig

Did you messed up the front AND rear?

C230 Sport Coup

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?

JLD2k3

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?

RES

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.

paul321

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 ?

skittles

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.

Glyn M Ruck

the 3 position fluted bolts are your only option without a move to an adjustable camber arm.

skittles

real quick yes or no answer question.

Do wheel spacers change camber alignment? i noticed my inner rear tires were not even..

Glyn M Ruck

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.

C24owner

Glyn,

You know of any camber kits for the 4matic? I contacted Kmac, but haven't heard back.

Glyn M Ruck

Nick - No I don't - If you can't get in the USA the only option might be Germany - Sorry

C24owner

I HATE having a 4matic, lol.

Thanks for the help Glyn. I'll contact some companies in the mother land.

johnand

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?

Glyn M Ruck

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.