New tie rod ends
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 576
Likes: 28
From: chicago
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
New tie rod ends
So I'm nearing 65k on the clock.
Front end was twitchy, requiring lots of tiny adjustments which was a pita.
I picked up some Karlyns on ebay for $50. Box had a German label but who knows where they were made. Quality certainly looks every bit OEM.
There is not all that much stress on the outer ends as the plane they move back and forth in is pretty flat and I wasn't really sure it would help.
BUT IT DID and the difference is really dramatic. No twitching and the wheel even returns to center better.
If you want to do this relatively simple r/r do not believe for a second those youtube videos that show the end dropping right out with a smack to the knuckle with a big hammer. I found tie rod end pickle forks are too narrow at the opening and the best answer is exactly what it says in the WIS, a tie rod end press. Quick, easy and safe.
In the event you need the tool, I have a really good one only used once that I can let go cheap!
Front end was twitchy, requiring lots of tiny adjustments which was a pita.
I picked up some Karlyns on ebay for $50. Box had a German label but who knows where they were made. Quality certainly looks every bit OEM.
There is not all that much stress on the outer ends as the plane they move back and forth in is pretty flat and I wasn't really sure it would help.
BUT IT DID and the difference is really dramatic. No twitching and the wheel even returns to center better.
If you want to do this relatively simple r/r do not believe for a second those youtube videos that show the end dropping right out with a smack to the knuckle with a big hammer. I found tie rod end pickle forks are too narrow at the opening and the best answer is exactly what it says in the WIS, a tie rod end press. Quick, easy and safe.
In the event you need the tool, I have a really good one only used once that I can let go cheap!
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Suspension parts wear out slowly, so it can be hard to recognize when it's time to replace them. You'd probably have just as much difference if you also replaced the struts and thrust arms.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
CLK 500
I need to replace the outer tie rods and picked up new ones today from mercedes. One question does, the ball joint need to be filled with a grease gun? I don't see anywhere to lube them up. Also they don't not come with new self locking nuts, anyone know the thread size, I'm hoping an auto store will have them.
