control arm bushing tool?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
control arm bushing tool?
I have been planning to replace all four front control arms on my 2005 c230 as the bushings are several years old now and suspension geometry is slowly changing. The ball joints look fine, however, so I am thinking I am thinking maybe just replace the bushings for now and do the control arms in another few years. The cost is much less ($120 vs 400) ... however I need that special toolkit.
I have a few questions --
1) Does the bushing toolkit handle both upper and lower control arms?
2) Does anyone know where I can get a kit for less than the $190 online price? Anyone want to sell or rent theirs? And/or buy mine after I'm done with it? (If you're in the SF Bay Area I could probably drive to you).
3) I have heard that the bushings on the factory upper control arms for this year cannot be replaced, that the control arms were changed at some point. Is there any way to verify this? EPCNet shows part #a 203 333 10 14 for my car. My VIN is F663308 if that helps ...
Thanks. John
I have a few questions --
1) Does the bushing toolkit handle both upper and lower control arms?
2) Does anyone know where I can get a kit for less than the $190 online price? Anyone want to sell or rent theirs? And/or buy mine after I'm done with it? (If you're in the SF Bay Area I could probably drive to you).
3) I have heard that the bushings on the factory upper control arms for this year cannot be replaced, that the control arms were changed at some point. Is there any way to verify this? EPCNet shows part #a 203 333 10 14 for my car. My VIN is F663308 if that helps ...
Thanks. John
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Don't know what you mean by upper & lower control arms. There is a castor arm 18 in the pic & a camber arm 29 in pic.
The bush extraction tool is identical for both. You can cobble one up from a bolt & washers if need be.
Remember to mark orientation of old bushes so that new ones are pressed in with 3 position fluted bolt slot correctly aligned.
Good luck
The bush extraction tool is identical for both. You can cobble one up from a bolt & washers if need be.
Remember to mark orientation of old bushes so that new ones are pressed in with 3 position fluted bolt slot correctly aligned.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
I've seen different places use different terms ...
* Caster = upper = torque strut
* Camber = lower = cross strut
The parts warehouses seem to use upper/lower most frequently. I assume it refers to the fact that the caster/torque strut mounts to the steering knuckle above where the camber/cross strut mounts.
That's great if the tool can be used on both. I did drop by the dealership parts counter this morning to check out the difference between the two bushings. They look to be about the same diameter (maybe not exactly), but the upper bushing has a much wider collar and rubber section for added strength. Now I just need to find myself a press kit for under $200 ...
Thanks. John
* Caster = upper = torque strut
* Camber = lower = cross strut
The parts warehouses seem to use upper/lower most frequently. I assume it refers to the fact that the caster/torque strut mounts to the steering knuckle above where the camber/cross strut mounts.
That's great if the tool can be used on both. I did drop by the dealership parts counter this morning to check out the difference between the two bushings. They look to be about the same diameter (maybe not exactly), but the upper bushing has a much wider collar and rubber section for added strength. Now I just need to find myself a press kit for under $200 ...
Thanks. John
Last edited by jkowtko; Jun 28, 2012 at 01:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
When I said "under $200", I meant more like $100 or less. The Baum kit seems to be pretty easy to find online -- it just costs close to $200. That's a lot of money to pay for a bolt and an assortment of spacers 
(albeit they are sized correctly)
I put a separate posting in the Classifieds forum in my search for a cheaper bushing kit. My technical questions from this post have been answered.
(albeit they are sized correctly)I put a separate posting in the Classifieds forum in my search for a cheaper bushing kit. My technical questions from this post have been answered.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 250
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From: Miami, FL
2009 E63
Don't know what you mean by upper & lower control arms. There is a castor arm 18 in the pic & a camber arm 29 in pic.
The bush extraction tool is identical for both. You can cobble one up from a bolt & washers if need be.
Remember to mark orientation of old bushes so that new ones are pressed in with 3 position fluted bolt slot correctly aligned.
Good luck
The bush extraction tool is identical for both. You can cobble one up from a bolt & washers if need be.
Remember to mark orientation of old bushes so that new ones are pressed in with 3 position fluted bolt slot correctly aligned.
Good luck
https://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_B...ngs/ES1889235/
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 968
Likes: 62
From: San Francisco, CA
2005 c230SS
Hey Glen is this something that they have incorporated to prevent the deterioration of the bushings ?
https://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_B...ngs/ES1889235/
https://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_B...ngs/ES1889235/
Maybe because these bushings were located near the edge of the engine undercover and therefore more exposed to the elements?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 15
From: Miami, FL
2009 E63
Fyi I could never obtain a clean answer on why these dust boots were installed on only some models. My car never had them. As far as I can tell most rubber bushings on car suspensions are left exposed to the elements and do not have covers on them.
Maybe because these bushings were located near the edge of the engine undercover and therefore more exposed to the elements?
Maybe because these bushings were located near the edge of the engine undercover and therefore more exposed to the elements?
