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Over the past year or so, we also noticed allot of rattling coming from the front passenger side suspension. You noticed it when driving between 20-40 mph. I thought was the tires, had then replaced, replaced the front sway bar links on both sides but nothing.
Yesterday, all of a sudden we noticed a low squeaking/groaning sound coming from the same area when driving the car. In fact when I bounced the front of the car, you can hear it. Not sure what it is. Bushings? Bad front upper and/or lower control arms? ball joints? Strut failure? The car is a 2013 w166 ml 350 with 77K miles
Wondering if anyone else has ever experienced similar issues?
How many have replaced the front upper and/or lower control arm bushings?If so, why?
Any problems with your front struts? BTW this is not an air suspension car.
Thank you in advanced,
PK
Last edited by pkml350sf; Apr 20, 2018 at 10:40 AM.
I bought a 2104 ML550 off Bring a Trailer. I have already replaced the rear struts, awaiting a delivery of springs. I have new front struts that I started installing, and discovered that the upper control arms are for decorative purposes only, and the Mercedes engineers thought it would be funny to hide the nuts that are on the opposite ends of the bolts.
I replaced the lower control arm bushings, but installed the stand-alone bushing backwards, so I have to order a new one and cut it off with a grinder. I have had this vehicle since February, and have put under 100 miles on it. You can check my other post for the other 200 things I have had to replace. My mantra has become, "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap used Mercedes."
The bushings and ball joints are made of a special material that turns to Play-Doh at around 10 years.
Okay, I have successfully replaced the driver side upper control arm. It is not a one-person job, unless your right arm is 5 feet long and hinged in at least four places.
This is the rear nut location for the upper control arm. I had to remove the airbox to get access. It is 16mm, and the corresponding bolt is M12 exterior torx. I had to lay on the engine to get my arm in there and had my wife tighten it from the torx bolt side. This is where the front bolt protrudes through the inner fender well. Getting a wrench on it to remove it was doable. Getting my hand down there to get the nut onto it, notsomuch. I have one of those bendy grabber tools, and managed to get it on with that, using sheer determination and luck. Here is a zoomed out look for perspective.
Last edited by HuskEric; Apr 18, 2026 at 12:16 PM.
Reason: I wanted to highlight where the nut is in the picture
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