PA28150

Requesting help from the esteemed members --

I just finished changing out the front bushings and ball joints (left and right) on my 2006 E320 CDI. Definitely NOT pleased I got only 75,000 miles out of these components! I installed new front shock absorbers too.

I've noticed the front of my car is now about 2 inches higher than it used to be (and compared with the rear).

Does anyone have any specifications/procedures for making adjustments to this? This has affected my toe-in, as well as ride quality -- both in very negative ways.

Thanks in advance for any help!

06e320cdi

You werent supposed to tighten the bushing until you had the front weight of the car on them. IE, install bushing, keep loose, let jack down with tire on, or jack up the front suspension until you are at the normal ride height. I would just loosen them (I would jack up car, loose both sides, lower car and see where you end up), let the car settle then retighten. You should align after installation of the bushings.

isstay

No alignment needed if you changed bushings and shocks, per MB alignment should be done only after changing steering system components (tire road end).

desired_speeds

^ this. There needs to be load on the suspension when you tighten the arms, otherwise the bushings would always be twisted leading to premature failure.

PA28150

Thank you all for the replies!

I take it from what has been written that I'm shooting for an "equilibrium" position (with the bolts a bit loose and the car resting on the tires), rather than a specific height dimension.

Correct?