DIY Lower Control Arm Bushings?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 322
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From: Texas
2000 Mercedes Benz S500 Designo
DIY Lower Control Arm Bushings?
Anyone know how much work it is to change out the lower front control arm bushings? Indy wants over $400, parts are just around $100.
Thanks
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
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04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
Well I'd tell you that if you don't have any mechanical skills, ( no offense ) Let someone else do it for you before you end up getting into a jam and have evebody and their cousin trying to bail you out on here using pictures.
The short of it is, the lower control arm bushing is connected to the spindle assembly and there are a lot of things that have to be disconnected including the strut. Then the old bushing has to be pressed from the control arm. This may require removing the entire control arm in which case because of the year of your car it may be wise just to go ahead and replace the inner bushings as well.
Like I said if you are not a mechanic, this job could absorb a lot of your time so,my advice is to evaluate your skills and do the math. If you lived in or could come to Austin, I'd be willing to help you but this is the wrong week.
The short of it is, the lower control arm bushing is connected to the spindle assembly and there are a lot of things that have to be disconnected including the strut. Then the old bushing has to be pressed from the control arm. This may require removing the entire control arm in which case because of the year of your car it may be wise just to go ahead and replace the inner bushings as well.
Like I said if you are not a mechanic, this job could absorb a lot of your time so,my advice is to evaluate your skills and do the math. If you lived in or could come to Austin, I'd be willing to help you but this is the wrong week.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 687
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From: So Cal
07 GL450, 91 NSX, 12 Prius
why the bushing? the ball joint usually fails before the bushing. You should just replace the control arm with a good quality replacement. BMW and MB practically have disposable control arms.
Go find my post on ball joint replacement or my link to the blogspot.
http://mercedes-w220-ball-joint-diy.blogspot.com/
This will show you what you are up against.
Go find my post on ball joint replacement or my link to the blogspot.
http://mercedes-w220-ball-joint-diy.blogspot.com/
This will show you what you are up against.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 322
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From: Texas
2000 Mercedes Benz S500 Designo
I have already replaced ball joints, and now its time for the bushings.
I'm pretty mechanically inclined and so is my dad, I'll have to do some more thinking about this... Sounds like I may let the indy tackle it though.
Thanks for all the replies.
I'm pretty mechanically inclined and so is my dad, I'll have to do some more thinking about this... Sounds like I may let the indy tackle it though.
Thanks for all the replies.
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Koblenz,Germany/Chicago Suburb,Illinois
2002 S320-CDI
Torque values
I've asked this question before (in old Thread), but didn't get an answer (from fkong777), but what are the various Torque Values for ball joints, etc...
Thanks.
brenner
Thanks.
brenner
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 229
SL55, S500
why the bushing? the ball joint usually fails before the bushing. You should just replace the control arm with a good quality replacement. BMW and MB practically have disposable control arms.
Go find my post on ball joint replacement or my link to the blogspot.
http://mercedes-w220-ball-joint-diy.blogspot.com/
This will show you what you are up against.
Go find my post on ball joint replacement or my link to the blogspot.
http://mercedes-w220-ball-joint-diy.blogspot.com/
This will show you what you are up against.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Brandon FL
2001 S500
My Control Arm bushings are torn on both sides (left and right wheel). All other bushings look good. We are having a dry couple of months, no rain and now my car is giving me a piece of its mind every time it moves. I packed some heavy grease in the bushing to buy time.
The Ball Joint and Steering bushings are good. From my research it appears you will run into problems when changing the Ball Joint (pressing in/out), Tire rod bushing will require alignment. I looked at the DIY but it includes the Ball Joint as apart of the job.
It appears the Control Arm has one bolt at the bushing end and one at the sub frame end. If I remove the two bolts it should come off without any issues...but that's a Big Assumption.
Questions; Has anyone changed just the Control Arm? Can I change the lower control arms only with little fuss? Will it require a Ball Joint separator?
The Ball Joint and Steering bushings are good. From my research it appears you will run into problems when changing the Ball Joint (pressing in/out), Tire rod bushing will require alignment. I looked at the DIY but it includes the Ball Joint as apart of the job.
It appears the Control Arm has one bolt at the bushing end and one at the sub frame end. If I remove the two bolts it should come off without any issues...but that's a Big Assumption.
Questions; Has anyone changed just the Control Arm? Can I change the lower control arms only with little fuss? Will it require a Ball Joint separator?
Last edited by Supergenius40; Oct 11, 2010 at 02:28 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
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C230
I'm interested too.
Do you need the ball joint separator to remove the lower control arm?
I have a 2003 C230 with worn bushings, and I don't want to buy a bushing press, so I figured new control arms would be easier.
I was quoted between $500-$600 for either new lower control arms or new bushings, parts and labor.
Do you need the ball joint separator to remove the lower control arm?
I have a 2003 C230 with worn bushings, and I don't want to buy a bushing press, so I figured new control arms would be easier.
I was quoted between $500-$600 for either new lower control arms or new bushings, parts and labor.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,978
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From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
W220 M113K
yes you will need the ball joint separator, when I installed my AMG calipers I had to replaced the spindle, and to get the lower control arm off of it I had to use it the parts wouldnt come apart, during that install I replaced the upper control arm, and lateral arm. you probably will need to remove the top of the spindle from the upper control arm to gain some space to get to the ball joint of the lower control arm which is in the middle of the spindle and sorta covered by a piece of metal. you will not be able to use a socket wrench on the ball joint cause of the piece of metal slightly covering it, i believe its a 22 mm bolt. if you have any questions PM me
