M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

front lower control arm replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 4, 2018 | 03:25 AM
  #1  
alexa67's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
ML320
front lower control arm replacement

Surprised at how little I have found about replacing front lower control arm on 2001 W163. It appears simple enough. Release tension from the torsion bar. Then remove the through bolt where the arm is attached to the frame and release the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle. Finally, it appears to me that the third "corner" of the control are slides into a socket on the front end of the torsion bar. I am hoping with rest of the control arm detached that it will just slide out and the new one would slide back in -- without pounding or pressing. However, I have not found anything that confirms how the control arm is attached to the end of he torsion bar. Any one have experience with this?

Last edited by alexa67; Sep 4, 2018 at 03:28 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2018 | 07:02 AM
  #2  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500

Here is your confirmation.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2018 | 12:05 AM
  #3  
alexa67's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
ML320
Thank you. It is a good diagram but I am still unsure how the far back corner of the torsion bar (the end that is hex-shaped stud that fits into the hex-shaped socket, part #160) (I am referring to the end that is not clearly pictured hear and is behind the shock in the diagram). If it simply slides in and then I attach the frame bushing and lower ball joint then this is simple enough and I think I will go for it. But if it is complicated, such as it must be pressed out/in then I may re-think this.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2018 | 08:25 AM
  #4  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Exactly what is your problem and what do you propose to do?
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2018 | 10:34 AM
  #5  
alexa67's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
ML320
Remove and replace the lower control arm. The lower shock mount bolt broke off. I attempted to drill it out and after getting about 3/4 of an inch into it I started to tap out threads so that I could insert a bolt inside of the broken bolt to (hopefully) screw out the broken bolt. However the tap broke off too and after spending hours on this problem I am ready to just replace the lower control arm.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2018 | 03:47 PM
  #6  
Maj. Dundee's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,107
Likes: 765
From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Get a used control arm but check it for broken bolts.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
R&I Torsion Bar #1.pdf (95.4 KB, 907 views)
File Type: pdf
R&I Torsion Bar #2.pdf (144.2 KB, 684 views)
File Type: pdf
R&I Lower Control Arm Front #1.pdf (110.5 KB, 1071 views)
File Type: pdf
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2018 | 01:40 AM
  #7  
alexa67's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
ML320
This is very helpful information. Also, good point about the used part. I have since found a used OE part.

Thanks for all your help.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2019 | 04:14 PM
  #8  
benzreyes's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
ML55 AMG
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by Maj. Dundee
Get a used control arm but check it for broken bolts.
THANK YOU Maj. Dundee! I had the same problem with my shock bolts snapping off and the extractor broke off as well.

I took everything off and was ready to pull the lower control off and I felt tension and figured I should research a little more before I continued. You sir may have saved me a hospital visit!
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-3

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 10, 2021 | 04:59 PM
  #9  
Gunning24's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 ml320
I hate to resurrect this but its one of the only posts on this when your search google.

I'm close to as far as you got but like you before I start loosening lower control arm bolts I'm reviewing.

Do you really have to release tension from the torsion bar bracket before you take off the front lower control arm even if its jacked up? In every torsion bar video i watch there doesn't seem to be any tension on the torsion bar when they loosen the torsion bar bracket bolt when its on jack stands.
I was about to start following the service manual's step by step before I read this... It fails to mention anything about.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2024 | 07:20 PM
  #10  
ChrisVannoy's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 21
2002 Cl500
To confirm yes you have to remove torsion bars before removing lower control arms….its the first thing you should do then follow sway bar, upper control arm, otter tie rod, knuckle ball
joint then lower arm bolt
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2024 | 02:42 AM
  #11  
Olamidefx's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Clunking noise driver side

Please guys i need help with the clunking noise on the driver side, i have changed the stabilizer swar bar bushing but still hearing that noise, so i disconnected the stabilizer link and drive around noise wasnt there anymore, if i connect the links again the noise comes back up. What's the solution to this please
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2024 | 02:36 PM
  #12  
ChrisVannoy's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 21
2002 Cl500
Originally Posted by Olamidefx
Please guys i need help with the clunking noise on the driver side, i have changed the stabilizer swar bar bushing but still hearing that noise, so i disconnected the stabilizer link and drive around noise wasnt there anymore, if i connect the links again the noise comes back up. What's the solution to this please
the link between the sway bar and the frame also has two rubber bushings I would inspect that as it’s probably no longer there. It’s the two brackets that the way bar connect to in the middle that then connect it to the frame, where that connection happens to the frame those bushings can blow out pretty cheap and easy fix new brackets and your on your way again mate! Post results let us know how it turns out Por favor. Happy motoring

Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:10 PM.

story-0
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-1
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-4
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE