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Hi
I'm a newbie here. I recently bought a 2008 C350 Sport with 192k miles on it, and I'm looking to give it a little TLC to make it perfect.
After buying a car with a test drive and OBD2 Scan, I inspected the vehicle in the auto shop more thoroughly.
I felt the suspension problem when I did the test drive (suspension clunking when road bump or pothole), but since the previous owner mentioned that he already changed the front struts on about 170k, I thought it would be a sway bar/link problem.
However, the auto report given by the shop confused me a bit. Reading this comment, I assume it's not a strut or sway bar/link problem, but more like just an insufficient torque on the strut bolts?
In this case, what should I replace? Should I replace the Sway Bar using the Sway Bar Link Kit from FCP Euro and Strut Mount to be safe? Or would these be completely unrelated issues?
Please guide me throughout this issue, it would be a great guidance for me!
Id like to be able to see the photos. Can you post large photos?
I would not spend money on a new sway bar at this time, unless the bushings are so worn that the bar itself is moving around.
The sway bar links are very simple to check if they are worn and should be replaced. With both wheels off the ground and wheels removed just grab the sway bar and try to rotate it, if it rotates then the ball joints are worn. Replace the links.
Photos below are what I mean by trying to rotate the links. New or good condition links will not easily move at all.
I re-used the bolts when I replaced my struts, so thats really not an issue. Did that shop try to re-torque the bolts? heres the torue specs for the RWD, not 4matic.
As far as feeling play in both wheels, it should be easy to see if it is the wheel bearings/hub that is loose.
Hey, thanks for the reply!
I was changing both tires at an auto shop today and asked to retorque... which apparently they won't do?
They also called Bilstein Front Struts... aftermarket bad products so I don't expect anything from them, but they also mentioned that sway bar links have too much play.
Looking at those photos i would go ahead and replace the sway bar and the sway bar links. It does look like the rubber has separated from around the bar itself.
From experience I would replace with Genuine Mercedes parts, especially if you are paying to have the parts installed.
The first photo looks like its your rear tie rod. Has some corrosion on that end but ill say mine look much worse but they are in solid and not moving around. To replace that the rear subframe has to be lowered. So if you plan on lowering the rear subframe you should put a list together of everything to be done at the same time.
The photos of the front control arms look good to me. I believe they are fluid-filled. No signs of fluid leaking from them.
Thank you very much! I am getting sway bar links replaced today... I'll see how it goes.
The previous owner changed both Upper & Lower front control arms around 5k miles before, along with the front strut itself... so I'm trusting those parts.
I'll also note rear tie rod corrosion when I have to lower the rear subframe!
Thank you very much.
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