C43 - bent subframe
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
C43 - bent subframe
Finally got my car into my preferred indie who knows euro cars very well and he figured out my rear subframe is bent, which is why the car keeps pulling or wiggling in the rear when I accelerate.
he also pointed out my rear diff's bushings were shot and it was floating in the mounts, AND my front LCA bushings, AND my ball joints are seriously worn out in the front...
so if I have to drop the entire rear of the car to replace it, anyone got any recommendations on what I should buy for reassembly? I'm assuming I will need a metric ton of new bushings and the like. I'm trying to keep the budget as friendly as possible, so nothing like "brand new coilovers with 5000 dollar airbag system." Looking for just OE but if I also have to buy new pads or something I might as well get the euro spec lower ride height back there...
also, where the hell do i find a w202 subframe!!!
he also pointed out my rear diff's bushings were shot and it was floating in the mounts, AND my front LCA bushings, AND my ball joints are seriously worn out in the front...
so if I have to drop the entire rear of the car to replace it, anyone got any recommendations on what I should buy for reassembly? I'm assuming I will need a metric ton of new bushings and the like. I'm trying to keep the budget as friendly as possible, so nothing like "brand new coilovers with 5000 dollar airbag system." Looking for just OE but if I also have to buy new pads or something I might as well get the euro spec lower ride height back there...
also, where the hell do i find a w202 subframe!!!
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Joined: Feb 2006
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in US u have lots of specialists shops selling genuine MB parts, maybe these shops are cheaper than stealership finding you a new subframe for Mercedes?
as always you have to stick with Lemfoerders bushings
I bet there's lots of play in front and rear axle of your car, with new bushes you'll have a new car feel from suspension
as always you have to stick with Lemfoerders bushings
I bet there's lots of play in front and rear axle of your car, with new bushes you'll have a new car feel from suspension
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Bent rear subframe? Difficult to understand, not unless the vehicle was rear ended sometime in the past. Worn bushes that's very possible and probably the cause. You can buy all the rear suspension parts at decent prices. I have a full set hanging around my garage since several years now but I haven't felt the need to change for the moment.
Some details for the subframe from the EPC
Some details for the subframe from the EPC
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Nov 7, 2016 at 05:39 AM. Reason: Added pdf files
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Wife crashed it a few years ago. The left side climbed up the side of the other car and my car was balancing on 2 wheels, rolled about 30 feet and then slammed back down on the wheels. The left side front subframe mount point is about a quarter inch closer than the right side, and all the bushings on the left look stressed and worn out.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles, CA
w202
Any w202 and r170 rear subframe will fit your C43.
Autohausaz.com has discounts on most of their parts currently on the website. You can find Lemforder bushings for subframe and differential.
Since you'll have everything off, i suggest to replace the bushing for the rear LCA and knuckle. The knuckle one is notorious for going bad.
Same for the front LCA, the rearward bushing is known to go bad all the time. I did the job at least 20 times so far on my fleet. To make it permanent, lately, after i press in a new bushing, i just fill it with 80A compound urethane. This way, the LCA job is done for the life of the car.
Too bad you're far, i have two w202s lined up for dismantling, both with good rear subframes.
Autohausaz.com has discounts on most of their parts currently on the website. You can find Lemforder bushings for subframe and differential.
Since you'll have everything off, i suggest to replace the bushing for the rear LCA and knuckle. The knuckle one is notorious for going bad.
Same for the front LCA, the rearward bushing is known to go bad all the time. I did the job at least 20 times so far on my fleet. To make it permanent, lately, after i press in a new bushing, i just fill it with 80A compound urethane. This way, the LCA job is done for the life of the car.
Too bad you're far, i have two w202s lined up for dismantling, both with good rear subframes.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 0
Likes: 36
Any w202 and r170 rear subframe will fit your C43.
Autohausaz.com has discounts on most of their parts currently on the website. You can find Lemforder bushings for subframe and differential.
Since you'll have everything off, i suggest to replace the bushing for the rear LCA and knuckle. The knuckle one is notorious for going bad.
Same for the front LCA, the rearward bushing is known to go bad all the time. I did the job at least 20 times so far on my fleet. To make it permanent, lately, after i press in a new bushing, i just fill it with 80A compound urethane. This way, the LCA job is done for the life of the car.
Too bad you're far, i have two w202s lined up for dismantling, both with good rear subframes.
Autohausaz.com has discounts on most of their parts currently on the website. You can find Lemforder bushings for subframe and differential.
Since you'll have everything off, i suggest to replace the bushing for the rear LCA and knuckle. The knuckle one is notorious for going bad.
Same for the front LCA, the rearward bushing is known to go bad all the time. I did the job at least 20 times so far on my fleet. To make it permanent, lately, after i press in a new bushing, i just fill it with 80A compound urethane. This way, the LCA job is done for the life of the car.
Too bad you're far, i have two w202s lined up for dismantling, both with good rear subframes.
what bushings do knuckle have?
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles, CA
w202
Subframe:
Forward bushings (#29 on image) (2x) : 1243500341
Rearward bushings(#38) (2x) : 2023503408
Differential bushings(#8) (2x) : 2023511142
Rear suspension:
Rear Outer in Rear Bearing Knuckle (#20) (2x) : 2203520227
Rear Inner at subframe in LCA (#80) (2x) : 2023520065 (these rarely go bad)
Forward bushings (#29 on image) (2x) : 1243500341
Rearward bushings(#38) (2x) : 2023503408
Differential bushings(#8) (2x) : 2023511142
Rear suspension:
Rear Outer in Rear Bearing Knuckle (#20) (2x) : 2203520227
Rear Inner at subframe in LCA (#80) (2x) : 2023520065 (these rarely go bad)
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 26
From: Vancouver, B.C., CANADA
2006 E55 AMG/1996 C36 AMG/1999 C43/55 AMG/2021 Toyota Tundra Crew Max TRD Sport Premium
Finally got my car into my preferred indie who knows euro cars very well and he figured out my rear subframe is bent, which is why the car keeps pulling or wiggling in the rear when I accelerate.
he also pointed out my rear diff's bushings were shot and it was floating in the mounts, AND my front LCA bushings, AND my ball joints are seriously worn out in the front...
so if I have to drop the entire rear of the car to replace it, anyone got any recommendations on what I should buy for reassembly? I'm assuming I will need a metric ton of new bushings and the like. I'm trying to keep the budget as friendly as possible, so nothing like "brand new coilovers with 5000 dollar airbag system." Looking for just OE but if I also have to buy new pads or something I might as well get the euro spec lower ride height back there...
also, where the hell do i find a w202 subframe!!!
he also pointed out my rear diff's bushings were shot and it was floating in the mounts, AND my front LCA bushings, AND my ball joints are seriously worn out in the front...
so if I have to drop the entire rear of the car to replace it, anyone got any recommendations on what I should buy for reassembly? I'm assuming I will need a metric ton of new bushings and the like. I'm trying to keep the budget as friendly as possible, so nothing like "brand new coilovers with 5000 dollar airbag system." Looking for just OE but if I also have to buy new pads or something I might as well get the euro spec lower ride height back there...
also, where the hell do i find a w202 subframe!!!
You're best bet would be eBay if you're trying to budget your spending. I needed a front right lower control arm and found a brand new genuine arm and it costed me $70 USD with free shipping which is a far cry from $380 USD. Don't pay any attention to list prices as all sellers and their prices are negotiable. Contact the seller and if he claims that he can't reduce the price, offer to do the transaction a different way. That way you both save. It may seem unethical to some but eBay charged me a seller fee of $20 on a $75 sale, which is ludicrous. Many seller's parts are being offered in various different means anyway and you'd still be covered under PayPal protection. Good luck!
Last edited by nkctb7; Nov 7, 2016 at 10:43 PM.
