Lower Control Arm Bushings
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Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Hollywood, CA.
2005 CLK55 COUPE
Lower Control Arm Bushings
Happy new year all..
So I know this subject has come up many times before but here we go again. I had my front lower control arm bushings changed out about 1.5 years ago and they have gone bad again. I dont even push the car really.. So I know there has been talk about Polyurethane bushings but I cant seem to find any for a 2002 CLK55. Has anyone actually used one before and does it really last longer? If so can someone please recommend a place to buy it from with the part #?
Thanks
Aaron
So I know this subject has come up many times before but here we go again. I had my front lower control arm bushings changed out about 1.5 years ago and they have gone bad again. I dont even push the car really.. So I know there has been talk about Polyurethane bushings but I cant seem to find any for a 2002 CLK55. Has anyone actually used one before and does it really last longer? If so can someone please recommend a place to buy it from with the part #?
Thanks
Aaron
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Los Angeles
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
I would highly recommend you stick with OEM. The only polys available now are too hard and don't fit perfectly in our control arms (you don't even need a press to get them in). They'll just cause you more headaches -- trust me, I know.
You must have something else going on that's stressing the bushings for them to be going out that often; when you get them installed, make sure the installer fully loads the front of the suspension on the car before completely torquing the bolts or the bushing will bind and wear faster.
You must have something else going on that's stressing the bushings for them to be going out that often; when you get them installed, make sure the installer fully loads the front of the suspension on the car before completely torquing the bolts or the bushing will bind and wear faster.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 473
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From: San Diego
2004 E55 AMG, 2008 G55 AMG
I would highly recommend you stick with OEM. The only polys available now are too hard and don't fit perfectly in our control arms (you don't even need a press to get them in). They'll just cause you more headaches -- trust me, I know.
You must have something else going on that's stressing the bushings for them to be going out that often; when you get them installed, make sure the installer fully loads the front of the suspension on the car before completely torquing the bolts or the bushing will bind and wear faster.
You must have something else going on that's stressing the bushings for them to be going out that often; when you get them installed, make sure the installer fully loads the front of the suspension on the car before completely torquing the bolts or the bushing will bind and wear faster.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Los Angeles
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
A few years back I believe there were a few manufacturers of poly so I'm sure some were better than others.
Now, only Armstrong makes em and I can tell you there's a reason why the whole front axle set only cost $120. In my mind there's a reason why OEM needs to be pressed where as the polys just slide in with little resistance. I'm not sure what brands everyone used back in the day but I can definitively tell you Armstrongs are not what I was looking for. Aside from the incredibly firm ride, a really bad front vibration appeared after installing them. I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to the bushings.
Just not worth it IMO. Upgrade the sway bar instead.
Now, only Armstrong makes em and I can tell you there's a reason why the whole front axle set only cost $120. In my mind there's a reason why OEM needs to be pressed where as the polys just slide in with little resistance. I'm not sure what brands everyone used back in the day but I can definitively tell you Armstrongs are not what I was looking for. Aside from the incredibly firm ride, a really bad front vibration appeared after installing them. I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to the bushings.
Just not worth it IMO. Upgrade the sway bar instead.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Hollywood, CA.
2005 CLK55 COUPE
Twinsin,
I have to say, I agree with what you're saying, if the poly bushing just slides in then yeah Im sure it will cause vibrations of some sort and cause other issues as time goes by. Im wondering if they make a OEM solid bushing for a different model MBZ that would fit. I forget if its the front or the back bushing on the control arm itself but one of them is solid rubber and the other one is not Im sure this if for ride comfort but the one that is not a solid rubber is the one that keeps breaking
You would think by now they would have come up with a new design or something figure there has to be a fix?
I have to say, I agree with what you're saying, if the poly bushing just slides in then yeah Im sure it will cause vibrations of some sort and cause other issues as time goes by. Im wondering if they make a OEM solid bushing for a different model MBZ that would fit. I forget if its the front or the back bushing on the control arm itself but one of them is solid rubber and the other one is not Im sure this if for ride comfort but the one that is not a solid rubber is the one that keeps breaking
You would think by now they would have come up with a new design or something figure there has to be a fix?
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
Here's a thread with some pics and details of what my issue was with the stock bushings:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...hemselves.html
Last edited by Chappy; Jan 13, 2013 at 04:52 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 524
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From: Los Angeles
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
Twinsin,
I have to say, I agree with what you're saying, if the poly bushing just slides in then yeah Im sure it will cause vibrations of some sort and cause other issues as time goes by. Im wondering if they make a OEM solid bushing for a different model MBZ that would fit. I forget if its the front or the back bushing on the control arm itself but one of them is solid rubber and the other one is not Im sure this if for ride comfort but the one that is not a solid rubber is the one that keeps breaking
You would think by now they would have come up with a new design or something figure there has to be a fix?
I have to say, I agree with what you're saying, if the poly bushing just slides in then yeah Im sure it will cause vibrations of some sort and cause other issues as time goes by. Im wondering if they make a OEM solid bushing for a different model MBZ that would fit. I forget if its the front or the back bushing on the control arm itself but one of them is solid rubber and the other one is not Im sure this if for ride comfort but the one that is not a solid rubber is the one that keeps breaking
You would think by now they would have come up with a new design or something figure there has to be a fix?
I want to say the W202 is better designed than the W208 (and they are interchangeable) but don't quote me on that. Probably best to just go to a dealer and compare the two and see which has the gaps and which one doesn't unless someone here knows for sure.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 473
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From: San Diego
2004 E55 AMG, 2008 G55 AMG
It sounds to me as tho the poly bushings are the way to go. Chappy do you know if your bushings needed to be pressed in when they were done a few years back? Twinsin did your bushings literally just slide in without any force at all? you said the car felt really tight at first but now you have developed a weird vibration? What speed is it at? I have not read one bad thing about the poly bushings except from you saying they are too harsh and now you have developed a weird shake. Do you think its because you replaced all 4 and not just the rear ones that go bad? Do you still have the shake that you are talking about?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Los Angeles
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
All I know is mine didn't have to be pressed in, which raises a red flag. Not sure what happened; might have needed to break them in a bit to see how useless they were. Taking car in tomorrow.
Remember, a few years back there were a few poly options so most people that installed these a while ago possibly aren't riding on the bushings I'm talking about. Durometer, design/quality could be different. FCP carries the same and only brand of poly available now, which I installed.
Do what you will (you seem pretty intent on getting these installed) but I'm just telling you that from what I've experienced...these are crap and I can't wait to get back on OEM. YMMV and if you like em -- more power to you.
Remember, a few years back there were a few poly options so most people that installed these a while ago possibly aren't riding on the bushings I'm talking about. Durometer, design/quality could be different. FCP carries the same and only brand of poly available now, which I installed.
Do what you will (you seem pretty intent on getting these installed) but I'm just telling you that from what I've experienced...these are crap and I can't wait to get back on OEM. YMMV and if you like em -- more power to you.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 473
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From: San Diego
2004 E55 AMG, 2008 G55 AMG
Yeah I really do want to install them. But I am worried that I will end up with bushings that do not need to be pressed in and not achieve the ride and performance I am hoping for. Chappy love the new sig pic! Your 55 looks great! I need some rolling shots of my car.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 168
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From: Hollywood, CA.
2005 CLK55 COUPE
Rather than replacing just the bushings, has anyone ever tried Meyle HD products from what the Meyle website says, they offer a 48 month guarantee on their parts (lower control arm) which sells online for roughly $180.00 per side. See below link or even Autohausaz.com
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...m-1703300107my
I have also attached a copy of the guarantee from Meyle's website.
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...m-1703300107my
I have also attached a copy of the guarantee from Meyle's website.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Bay Area
02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
) should be enough to get the job done. I have no idea if the bushings available today are different for the 208, but my "old" ones were fitted with hand pressure and have been flawless. With all the problems Twinsin has had I have to wonder if maybe a bad set? I guess anything is possible but I've only heard of positive outcomes till now. The one thing I do remember is the incredible pressure it took to remove the OEM bushings on the press. The design of the OEM makes it a wear item that will require regular replacement. The poly eliminates the OEM voids, maintaining a more constant suspension geometry. The poly bushing should be a lifetime install.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Los Angeles
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
So after taking my car in a couple days ago, it looks like it wasn't the bushings after all. Mechanic said they were tight despite not needing to be pressed in; mea culpa on the bad diagnosis. I have a bad Bilstein sport shock on the front axle and have always had really bad negative camber/caster on the front due to lowering. The poly bushings probably just accentuated these issues which was why I jumped to this conclusion initially.
Ironically, fixing my alignment by installing the poly KMAC kit. I know non-adjustable poly bushings are much cheaper but figure kill two birds with one stone by getting camber/caster adjustment along with poly features. So I guess you can go with Armstrong, but why not spend a little extra so you can dial in your alignment to spec?
Ironically, fixing my alignment by installing the poly KMAC kit. I know non-adjustable poly bushings are much cheaper but figure kill two birds with one stone by getting camber/caster adjustment along with poly features. So I guess you can go with Armstrong, but why not spend a little extra so you can dial in your alignment to spec?
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Joined: Jan 2013
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Mercedes CLK320 W208
They have worn out because whoever tightened them up did it in the air.
They should be tightened in the ready to drive state over a pit or on the hoist and add extra weight is necessary. This should be done to almost every suspension component.
I've known people who work on their cars that put one side up on the curb to work underneath without having to jack the car up.
It's also said it may increase ride height and negatively affect vehicle dynamics as well.
They should be tightened in the ready to drive state over a pit or on the hoist and add extra weight is necessary. This should be done to almost every suspension component.
I've known people who work on their cars that put one side up on the curb to work underneath without having to jack the car up.
It's also said it may increase ride height and negatively affect vehicle dynamics as well.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 524
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From: Los Angeles
2013 FIAT Abarth 500
Forgot to report back -- yeah, the polys I had on were utter garbage. The inner metal sleeve that contacts the bolt deformed into a freaking rectangle! Guess that's what $100 buys you nowadays...
Fully converted to KMAC upfront and along with full adjustability (finally in spec for camber and caster after two years), these are noticeably more comfortable than the POS Armstrong's I had on, almost as good as OEM rubber. Also threw on the Top Speed Pro 1 rear camber arms and rear camber is back in spec as well.
Fully converted to KMAC upfront and along with full adjustability (finally in spec for camber and caster after two years), these are noticeably more comfortable than the POS Armstrong's I had on, almost as good as OEM rubber. Also threw on the Top Speed Pro 1 rear camber arms and rear camber is back in spec as well.
