Replacing thrust arm bushings on 2003 C320
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 136
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Replacing thrust arm bushings on 2003 C320
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.
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.
Last edited by Robert Schrader; Dec 21, 2011 at 04:23 PM. Reason: Spelling correction
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Joined: Jul 2008
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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 )
According to several sources on the forum, you need a press to press in the new bushings. The new bushing is all that is needed.
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?
Absolutely not. Unless bent, the arms are fine and the bushings are about $20. Damn stealers.
3) The indepedent quoted me $320 parts and labor to replace the bushings. Is this reasonable?
I want to say that is too high, but I don't know how much labor is actually involved.
4) What do bad front lower control arms and thrust arms feel/look like?
Unless obviously bent, you aren't gonna be able to visually tell a difference. The bushings will crack, but those aren't visible until the suspension is unloaded.
5) If I buy parts myself, what are reasonable prices, especially for the bushings? And where do you recommend buing them?
Check RMEuropean.com for parts. The bushings should be less than $50, probably closer to $20 from what I have heard.
Thanks, and a Merry Christmas to all.
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 )
According to several sources on the forum, you need a press to press in the new bushings. The new bushing is all that is needed.
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?
Absolutely not. Unless bent, the arms are fine and the bushings are about $20. Damn stealers.
3) The indepedent quoted me $320 parts and labor to replace the bushings. Is this reasonable?
I want to say that is too high, but I don't know how much labor is actually involved.
4) What do bad front lower control arms and thrust arms feel/look like?
Unless obviously bent, you aren't gonna be able to visually tell a difference. The bushings will crack, but those aren't visible until the suspension is unloaded.
5) If I buy parts myself, what are reasonable prices, especially for the bushings? And where do you recommend buing them?
Check RMEuropean.com for parts. The bushings should be less than $50, probably closer to $20 from what I have heard.
Thanks, and a Merry Christmas to all.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
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
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
Last edited by Robert Schrader; Dec 21, 2011 at 04:52 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
C320
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
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
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
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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
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
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
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?
So is this ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Thr...item519c12f05d ) the required press? Or can it be done with a more generic item?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
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.
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.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Gilbert, AZ
2005 C230 6spd (MT)
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.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 712
Likes: 2
From: chicago
2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
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
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
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
(W203s) '04 C240, family member '05 C230 Kompressor
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
regards,
Jamie
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento via San Francisco
2002 C320
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 $$$ and just do this myself. I do have a buddy that has a press I could use. Now the biggest jobs I've done myself so far are only replacing brake pads and rotors or installing a new bumper/hood. But I'm not afraid to do something a little more difficult, and I'd love to learn something new. Should i give it a shot, or is this just to complicated?
Was planning on taking my C320 in next week for the repair. But after reading this thread, I'm wondering if I could save a whole lot of $$$ 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?
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
2002 C240
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.
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.
