Muddy

I have been told by my dealer that the front sway bar links must be replaced on my 2002 E430 with 79k miles. Not bad until they told me it was a job of incredibly tedious labor to the tune of over $2,000. Said they're almost impossible to get to and replace. Just looking for some additional opinions or if someone has already replaced theirs. Love the car, can't believe Mercedes would make it this difficult to replace a suspension part. Any ideas? Thanks.

Fabio D

WHAT???!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! 2k for sway bar link replace??!?!?!?! HOLY ****ING COW!!!!! are you seriously?????????? parts cost 30$ each and 200$ labor is overpaid for this job! You are a real friend of the dealer personal? :S what dealer quote you this stole, this is a real stealer :S

Fabio Daniel

Muddy

My mistake and misunderstanding. The dealer was saying the metal on the frame was rusting around the brackets and if it pulls loose I would have to replace the metal to put the brackets for the links back on to the frame. That's what would be so expensive. I looked at the area they were talking about and while it appeared to be rusty, nothing was soft to the feel. Plus car spent it's entire life in Fla., prior to my purchase and bringing it to Michigan this past December. Maybe POR 15 around the bracket and frame area?

Plutoe

Drive the car to Florida------I will do the links and bushings for 300. You can sleep on the boat. I will even throw in a night with my neighbor. She is 86 but tells some good bed time stories!!

PS: No animals

Muddy

If i was anywhere near Fla., I'd bring it down. Had it up on ramps, really doesn't look or feel bad. Going to wire brush the metal, prep it then use some rust encapsulator. I talked to the dealer and he told me he was giving a worst case senario. For me I have a buddy that's a welder and he said if it did pull away from the frame, he'd cut out the metal and replace it so the brackets could be re-attached. First Mercedes, so I was a bit unnerved about the potential failure and cost. Hard to believe that Mercedes would make a design issue that couldn't be repaired without that kind of cost. Car did come from Miami so I'm sure that sea salt air played a part. Still undercarriage looks pretty good compared to buying one that spent it's entire life in the Midwest. Thanks for the replies, appreciate the help.

CHolmes

I would bet my life that that frame is fine on a Florida car, They are setting you up, Take a news crew with you and ask them to fix it. I would also report them to BBB and Mercedes Corporate.

Plutoe

The news you want to report is a year and a half old, however your observation is appreciated, but somewhat belated!!

CHolmes

Ya, I noticed that after the fact. That said was it right?

Plutoe

There are no wrong answers in the internet world!!