Ball joints controll arm bushings
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 22
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From: Naples Florida Tropical Paridise
2004 E 500 2015 Sprinter Crew Van 2014 E 350 Sport
Ball joints controll arm bushings
I took my E500 to the dealer for front end alinment and was told they could not do the work unless they replaced the ball joints and bushings.
This cost $2,500.00 plus tax. The car has 50,000 miles and I have never had to have this kind of work done on any car I have owned. Does this mean that the E5000 has a week front end? Is this a common problem?
Does any one know if this work can be done DYI?
I am thinking maybe I should replace the car instead.
It seems strange to have these going bad this soon in the cars expected life of 100K
This cost $2,500.00 plus tax. The car has 50,000 miles and I have never had to have this kind of work done on any car I have owned. Does this mean that the E5000 has a week front end? Is this a common problem?
Does any one know if this work can be done DYI?
I am thinking maybe I should replace the car instead.
It seems strange to have these going bad this soon in the cars expected life of 100K
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 22
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From: Naples Florida Tropical Paridise
2004 E 500 2015 Sprinter Crew Van 2014 E 350 Sport
Ok so there are speical tools for this?
Does any one have pictures on how to do this?
I think I can do it myself if I know witch parts to replace and were I can rent or buy the tools.
This is the only way I can keep my car is to fix it myself.
I really need to be told how to do this I have never replaced ball joints or bushings.
Thanks, Spoke
Does any one have pictures on how to do this?
I think I can do it myself if I know witch parts to replace and were I can rent or buy the tools.
This is the only way I can keep my car is to fix it myself.
I really need to be told how to do this I have never replaced ball joints or bushings.
Thanks, Spoke
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida Tropical Paridise
2004 E 500 2015 Sprinter Crew Van 2014 E 350 Sport
Discount Parts?
Were can I buy discounted parts like ball joints and bushings? I also need pads and rotors for my 2004 E500.
Thanks, Spoke
Thanks, Spoke
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Joined: Apr 2007
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
TRy
www.autohausaz.com
you should be on the w211 forum and do not do sbc brakes unless you learn how to do them without killing yourself.Lots of pressure in that dangerous system.
If you can't do either job find an indie mb shop.They will do it for far less than the dealer.Stop going to the dealer
you should be on the w211 forum and do not do sbc brakes unless you learn how to do them without killing yourself.Lots of pressure in that dangerous system.
If you can't do either job find an indie mb shop.They will do it for far less than the dealer.Stop going to the dealer
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 463
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From: Long Island, NY
01 E320
Just because the dealer says you need ball joints and control arm bushings doesn't mean that you do. My dealer trained indy mechanic tells that to every MB owner that comes into his shop, I've witnessed it. He told me I needed it and I've driven 30k miles since then with now unusual tire wear or handling problems.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 22
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From: Naples Florida Tropical Paridise
2004 E 500 2015 Sprinter Crew Van 2014 E 350 Sport
Ball Joints and bushings
I live in Naples FL I have taken my car to independent garages in my area but the price is near the same as the dealer. It seems in Naples everyone thinks you are a millionaire if you drive a Mercedes Benz. I think the best thing for me to do is try to figure it out with the help of Mb World members. I have done very well in the past with information on how to change the heat exchanger valve, oil change and serpentine belt change. If I can get photos on how to I can do this in my own garage.
I really don't trust that dealer any more I went there only for a front end alignment and the service writer said I needed 4 new tires and I had new tires put on less than 10,000 miles. And he said i need valve cover gaskets brake fluid flush transmission flush spark plugs and all I asked for was a front end alignment!
I will feel better about the repair if I do it myself at least I will know it has been done.
Example the car had a 4 year maintenance service included but when I did my oil change I found that they never changed or cleaned the air filter and only did a pump out of oil if that much.I would have had them replace all the bushings and ball joints but they said they would not work on the car unless I did everything they said I needed.
Spoke
I really don't trust that dealer any more I went there only for a front end alignment and the service writer said I needed 4 new tires and I had new tires put on less than 10,000 miles. And he said i need valve cover gaskets brake fluid flush transmission flush spark plugs and all I asked for was a front end alignment!
I will feel better about the repair if I do it myself at least I will know it has been done.
Example the car had a 4 year maintenance service included but when I did my oil change I found that they never changed or cleaned the air filter and only did a pump out of oil if that much.I would have had them replace all the bushings and ball joints but they said they would not work on the car unless I did everything they said I needed.
Spoke
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
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From: NJ / FL
2016 E350
Eurosport of Cape Coral gave me a very attractive price, although I ended-up doing it myself. If you want to explore that option, get in touch with Alex Franke.
Also, bushings can be difficult to R/R. You might look into getting new control arms with factory-installed bushings, or buying a used set of control arms and installing the bushings at your leisure then selling the removed control arms.
