Front End Refresh
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Front End Refresh
As some of you may know I own a 2001 C320 with just over 101K miles on it. She is a very clean car, but not perfect. She needs a new CPS because restarting the car while hot on occasion has been difficult. She could also use a good once-over in terms of fluids to get her future proof.
In any case, I am looking to do a nice front end refresh. I am getting a few clunks from up there and my steering is off center. However, I am not sure where to start. I plan on getting some new rims and tires as well, as the stock ones are far from perfect, one even has a slight bend on it. But before I do that, I want to make sure she steers and handles properly.
Can anyone suggest where I can start looking? Some might opt for just fixing what's making the noise and being happy, but If I'm going to replace one side of something, I may as well replace both so I don't have to worry about it much down the line.
Any specific brands I should look for? I am going to be buying my parts from RockAuto.com but the prices and brands vary greatly.
With the car at the mileage that it is, should I look into anything else to avoid any trouble down the line?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
In any case, I am looking to do a nice front end refresh. I am getting a few clunks from up there and my steering is off center. However, I am not sure where to start. I plan on getting some new rims and tires as well, as the stock ones are far from perfect, one even has a slight bend on it. But before I do that, I want to make sure she steers and handles properly.
Can anyone suggest where I can start looking? Some might opt for just fixing what's making the noise and being happy, but If I'm going to replace one side of something, I may as well replace both so I don't have to worry about it much down the line.
Any specific brands I should look for? I am going to be buying my parts from RockAuto.com but the prices and brands vary greatly.
With the car at the mileage that it is, should I look into anything else to avoid any trouble down the line?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, ON
2012 C300 Sport 4MATIC (current) 2006 C280 Elegance 4MATIC (sold)
Start by checking your lower and upper control arms and bushings. Sometimes the arms are fine but the bushings are shot. Jack your car up and try wiggling each wheel on the front and see if there is a shimmy, that would suggest the need for new ball joints. Push down on the car when it's on the ground and see if the car bounces a lot when you let go, that would mean you probably need new struts.
I have no clunks but my car feels a bit "abrupt" on tar strips so I'm probably in need of some suspension work too and I think my rear struts are shot because when 2 people got in the back and we tossed some stuff in the trunk the rear dropped quite a bit but I don't have the bounce issue.
I have no clunks but my car feels a bit "abrupt" on tar strips so I'm probably in need of some suspension work too and I think my rear struts are shot because when 2 people got in the back and we tossed some stuff in the trunk the rear dropped quite a bit but I don't have the bounce issue.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
If you need control arms do not buy cheap brands!! I have had the wonderful pleasure of doing the work a few times and the cheap ones will fail faster!! That said I have had good luck with MOOG but if not that I would buy OEM/Lemforder parts only in this case. RMEUROPEAN or pelican parts. I also buy lots of parts from amazon (look up part numbers then search on amazon for proper fitment)
