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started to hear a clunk from the front of the car the other day and diagnosed it as a bad bushing on the control arm. mechanic later mentioned that the lower control arms are not OEM and don't have any part number on them.
He pulled up the part number and confirmed with Mercedes that the ML63 has a seperate part number vs the rest of the W164 line-up.
the ones on the car seem to be painted steel control arms, vs aluminum as the part number would suggest. Wondering if it's the right move to spend the ~$1800 and put OEMs back on the car.
9029009[/url]]started to hear a clunk from the front of the car the other day and diagnosed it as a bad bushing on the control arm. mechanic later mentioned that the lower control arms are not OEM and don't have any part number on them.
He pulled up the part number and confirmed with Mercedes that the ML63 has a seperate part number vs the rest of the W164 line-up.
the ones on the car seem to be painted steel control arms, vs aluminum as the part number would suggest. Wondering if it's the right move to spend the ~$1800 and put OEMs back on the car.
has anyone come across this?
I’ll get under my ML63 tomorrow and take a look for you but am 99% sure OEM is aluminum. I’ve been getting a clunk as well from the front left side over bumps and was thinking of using the KMAC bushing replacements which are supposedly superior to OEM and you keep the OEM aluminum lower arms, just change the bushings themselves that MB doesn’t offer separately.
I’ll get under my ML63 tomorrow and take a look for you but am 99% sure OEM is aluminum. I’ve been getting a clunk as well from the front left side over bumps and was thinking of using the KMAC bushing replacements which are supposedly superior to OEM and you keep the OEM aluminum lower arms, just change the bushings themselves that MB doesn’t offer separately.
thanks Josh, much appreciated. Was looking at aftermarket parts tk try to figure out what pieces i actually have and there doesnt seem to be a aftermarket part for the 63s, just the 550s, 500s, and 350/320s. Interesting that the 63s have their own part number and not shared across any other platform let alone the same platform
9029302[/url]]thanks Josh, much appreciated. Was looking at aftermarket parts tk try to figure out what pieces i actually have and there doesnt seem to be a aftermarket part for the 63s, just the 550s, 500s, and 350/320s. Interesting that the 63s have their own part number and not shared across any other platform let alone the same platform
Finally remembered to poke my head under my ML63 and yeah, aluminum lower control arms. As suspected. So if you have steel knock offs I’d ditch them.
I've had a lot of folks suggest replacing the bushings is very hard but for the cost trying the k Mac option should be worth it. Especially for me because I'm eager to hear how it goes for you ! I have another thread on this same topic and have tried several vendors looking for the same size bushing to no avail... KMAC replied with the options they have and you can adjust the camber too.
Buying the whole lower control arms is the cost of an arm and leg!!
I ended up buying the whole arms since mine were steel vs aluminum. I didnt see much if any difference to be honest between the two when we had them side by side. They measured the same at the mounting points.
you could get oem bushings no problem for rather cheap. Which bushing are you looking for and I can pull up part numbers
9036955[/url]]I ended up buying the whole arms since mine were steel vs aluminum. I didnt see much if any difference to be honest between the two when we had them side by side. They measured the same at the mounting points.
you could get oem bushings no problem for rather cheap. Which bushing are you looking for and I can pull up part numbers
‘I was under the impression that you cannot buy the front lower control arm’s rear bushing (I think that’s how you describe it lol) separately, even from Mercedes. That was the attraction to the KMAC bushing since you can replace that bushing without needing a whole new control arm. If you’ve already got the aluminum arms then why buy whole new ones for just the bushing… 🤷♂️
You can definitely get bushings from mercedes, or even OE equivalents. FCP amongst other vendors have a plethora of choices
I didn't have the aluminum arms and my bushings were going
So instead of changing the bushings and still having the wrong control arms, i changed the entire arm to the correct one
9037100[/url]]You can definitely get bushings from mercedes, or even OE equivalents. FCP amongst other vendors have a plethora of choices
I didn't have the aluminum arms and my bushings were going
So instead of changing the bushings and still having the wrong control arms, i changed the entire arm to the correct one
Ah, i missed the rear bushing. I checked WIS/EPC and yeah same issue. No part number there. would make sense to get KMAC then in that case
my issue was the front bushing, amongst other things. once i ordered all the parts and was ready to replace, i realized that none of the washers were installed. so that together with the non-oem arm led to the torn busing and clunks
Yes - W164, W166 front lower arm rear bushes are subject to premature failure / allowing excess movement / sway.Plus OEM there is no Front Camber or Caster adjustment.
WE SAW THE NEED THEREFORE TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY “UPRATED” REPLACEMENT BUSHES BUT TO ALSO INCLUDE PRECISE CAMBER AND CASTER ADJUSTMENT !
PLUS TO SIMPLIFY INSTALLATION - to “include bush extraction tools” - allowing fitment without time consuming need to remove control arms !
Camber (and Caster) being essential to resolve “costly, premature” - edge tire wear.
TODAY A “FULL FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT” - IS TOE ONLY (DIRECTIONAL) ADJUSTMENT ! New car industry’s best kept secret. WITH K-MAC - Reinstating ongoing adjustment to cater for day to day commuting encountering high cambered roads with excess passenger side edge wear. Or edge wear through altered height - load carrying or lowering. Plus adjustment for curb knock damage !
FOR REAR SUSPENSION:
Adjustable Camber Arms (and extra Toe) $695…W164/X, W251 (#504126N)
$695…W166/X, C292 (#504126N)
$795…W167/X, C293 (#504226P)
DHL Express Air Worldwide $40 one kit ($20 each extra).
09-07-2024 | 02:50 PM
W164 ML63 Front Lower Control Arms
