Orienting after first DIY suspension change
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2008 e550 base WDBUF72X98B228774
Orienting after first DIY suspension change
I just followed FCP Euro's DIY control arm replacement video, installing upper and both lower front control arms on my '08 E550 driver's side plus lower ball joint.
I pulled the car out of the driveway and drove around the block to test it out before planning to do the passenger's side. A few things catch my attention.
First, I get a warning that ESP is not functioning, check my owner's manual. The warning was not there when I parked in the driveway momentarily and started up again, but was on while driving.
Second, I see my camber is so negative as to be cartoonish. I have to wonder if it's ok driving this thing 25 minutes to the dealership for an alignment as planned.
Third, the control arm bushing that I just installed--the rubber is coated with a fuzzy whitish powder. Strange, I don't remember this when I installed just moments ago.
Does it sound like I messed up? I did try to torque everything in approximately "drive load" although that was hard to guess accurately.
I pulled the car out of the driveway and drove around the block to test it out before planning to do the passenger's side. A few things catch my attention.
First, I get a warning that ESP is not functioning, check my owner's manual. The warning was not there when I parked in the driveway momentarily and started up again, but was on while driving.
Second, I see my camber is so negative as to be cartoonish. I have to wonder if it's ok driving this thing 25 minutes to the dealership for an alignment as planned.
Third, the control arm bushing that I just installed--the rubber is coated with a fuzzy whitish powder. Strange, I don't remember this when I installed just moments ago.
Does it sound like I messed up? I did try to torque everything in approximately "drive load" although that was hard to guess accurately.
Last edited by KCe550; Dec 19, 2024 at 10:57 PM.
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2008 e550 base WDBUF72X98B228774
Hello FCP Euro,
Odd question...do new Lemforder control arm bushings turn white for any reason? Mine were installed today and noticed the black rubber is covered with a course fuzzy white powder. Curious if this signals anything. No worries If you have no idea, I've just never seen it before.
Thanks for contacting FCP Euro!
I am happy to confirm that it is normal and you should be all set!
I believe that it is due to a substance they use on the bushings to make sure they do not deteriorate while in the warehouses.
I'm here to help with any further questions or concerns!
Best regards,
Sean C
Odd question...do new Lemforder control arm bushings turn white for any reason? Mine were installed today and noticed the black rubber is covered with a course fuzzy white powder. Curious if this signals anything. No worries If you have no idea, I've just never seen it before.
Thanks for contacting FCP Euro!
I am happy to confirm that it is normal and you should be all set!
I believe that it is due to a substance they use on the bushings to make sure they do not deteriorate while in the warehouses.
I'm here to help with any further questions or concerns!
Best regards,
Sean C
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Joined: May 2024
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2008 e550 base WDBUF72X98B228774
Answering my own questions, as maybe it will help future readers.
The ESP error is common after replacing control arms. It can occur if the alignment gets too far out of spec. The dealership automatically fixed this when I took it to them for an alignment. I'm not sure how. I read during my research that it can also be set off by the steering wheel sensor being too far out of spec of center, and that can be reset by turning the steering wheel back and forth several times between extreme left and right. Whatever the ordeal, the dealership took care of it.
Second, camber out of alignment is expected after a control arm change. Next time I think I'll make sure my steering wheel is straight ahead but yes I drove to the dealership fine. Also it wasn't as bad upon second glance.
Still unsure as to the white powder. I did the second side and showed pictures above of the control arm bushing completely black, but towards the end of the installation I noticed some white powder there too.
Doing the second side was much faster than doing the first side, as there was a learning curve and tools I needed to buy (Mercedes-specific ball joint C clamp, tight ninety degree pneumatic impact wrench, E-sockets, probably other things). Doing all the arms, ball joints, sway bar links & new hardware at once made the most sense. Car runs like a creamy dream with new suspension!
The ESP error is common after replacing control arms. It can occur if the alignment gets too far out of spec. The dealership automatically fixed this when I took it to them for an alignment. I'm not sure how. I read during my research that it can also be set off by the steering wheel sensor being too far out of spec of center, and that can be reset by turning the steering wheel back and forth several times between extreme left and right. Whatever the ordeal, the dealership took care of it.
Second, camber out of alignment is expected after a control arm change. Next time I think I'll make sure my steering wheel is straight ahead but yes I drove to the dealership fine. Also it wasn't as bad upon second glance.
Still unsure as to the white powder. I did the second side and showed pictures above of the control arm bushing completely black, but towards the end of the installation I noticed some white powder there too.
Doing the second side was much faster than doing the first side, as there was a learning curve and tools I needed to buy (Mercedes-specific ball joint C clamp, tight ninety degree pneumatic impact wrench, E-sockets, probably other things). Doing all the arms, ball joints, sway bar links & new hardware at once made the most sense. Car runs like a creamy dream with new suspension!
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From: 714/949, SoCal
2008 S211 4MATIC
thanks for following up with your own questions. i've certainly learned something new about the ESP and what to expect if/when i work on suspension.
as for the white powder, it's perfectly normal since the rubber was at "rest" for so long in storage that a very thin film has formed. now that it's in use it's being exercised. the white powder is just that surface film stretching and getting exposed to the elements/oxygen/etc.
as for the white powder, it's perfectly normal since the rubber was at "rest" for so long in storage that a very thin film has formed. now that it's in use it's being exercised. the white powder is just that surface film stretching and getting exposed to the elements/oxygen/etc.
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2008 e550 base WDBUF72X98B228774
One tip I learned from struggling to align the lower strut hole. I was using a dead blow hammer, a jack, a pry bar, anything I could find to twist the strut body or force it into alignment. But the whole suspension can shift back and forth slightly thanks to the tie rod ball joint. The last time I did this I just took my time and shifted things around, and achieved perfect alignment. It's a detail nobody mentions.
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Plus, if your car is equipped with Airmatic, recalibrate your suspension after any major suspension work. When assembling, ensure bushing bolt is installed in the neutral position (easier said than done). If camber out of whack, deflate air strut, remove bolt, and reinstall in position that moves camber in the desired direction. I found it easier to detach the strut from the lower control arm, install bolt in the proper position, then reattach the strut to the lower control arm. Seems like it should take longer but it makes it easier to align the bolt with the control arm nubs.
