Front end rebuild = new car ride

Subscribe
Jul 10, 2021 | 04:11 PM
  #1  
After 10 years and 90K miles, it was time to re-fresh the front end.. It started with my drivers torque strut leaking and snowballed into a full front suspension swapout. The passenger torque strut had some cracks in the rubber so it was probably going to go soon as well..

Since you have to remove 1/2 the suspension to get those suckers out, I just replaced all of it. Torque struts, cross struts, tie rod ends, sway links, struts and shocks in the rear. I went with Lemforder and Bilstien B4. It was not too bad, the hardest part was swapping the springs onto the new struts. I bought a spring compressor specific for this job due to the issues people have noted with getting the springs compressed. The rear shocks are more of a PITA than I expected.. I only got driver side done. The issue is the shock needs to be compressed while you pull it out of the vehicle. I was able to wrestle the driver side out, but the passenger side has a bunch of fuel related stuff in the way. After thinking about the issue for a while, I have come up with a plan on how to get the passenger side out.. finger crossed...

After the work was done, drove it up for an alignment. Smooth and solid...feels like a new car... and then 1 day later the ESL started to flip out so it is parked while I have a new ESL motor on order...

Anyway, if you have a 2011ish C300 and feel like it is riding a little harsh, well worth the effort..

Reply 0
Jul 10, 2021 | 04:20 PM
  #2  
The struts are probably the one thing nobody does that will make a major difference, the lower arms are a very common failure across the benz product line and people don't realize how worn they get until they hear a noise, but by that time they have been very sloppy for some time.

Also, if you haven't done it, throw a set of engine/trans mounts in there, will smooth the car out like you won't believe.
Reply 0
Jul 10, 2021 | 08:32 PM
  #3  
I do hope you changed the strut bearings at the front when you replaced all of those stuff. In my case I only replaced the struts, bearings and links and I am already very happy with the results.
Reply 0
Jul 10, 2021 | 11:17 PM
  #4  
Yeah I did the bearings as well. They didn't sound/feel too bad but they got swapped out anyway..

I did the transmount and flex discs about 1 year ago due to a slight vibration at around 45 mph. Cleared that right up.

I'll have to look at the motor mounts..
Reply 0
Jul 12, 2021 | 11:53 PM
  #5  
Did the same on my 2013 C350 Coupe at 87,000 miles. Bilstein B6 shocks and struts.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2021 | 05:21 AM
  #6  
Just finished my 08 C200K AMG sport front end rebuild, 135,000km tidy up.
Castor arm and camber arm bushes, sway bar links, new original front springs, new discs and replaced seals in front brake callipers.
Hardest job was the front springs managed to get them off and had to take them to suspension shop to reinstall.

Defiantly makes the car steer straight again for long distance takes out the need to continually correct the steering wheel.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE