Are after market control arms OK? '04 S430
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Joined: Jun 2012
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'04 S430, '06 E350 4matic Wagon
Are after market control arms OK? '04 S430
I have a jiggling noise recently started, and coming from the left front. I've found play in the connecting points. Are there any aftermarket lower control arms that are acceptable quality?
Thanks for any help,
Regards,
Fred
Thanks for any help,
Regards,
Fred
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
I agree with the Lemforder. Check out pelican parts or ecstuning. They are always cheaper than the dealer. Only buy parts from the dealer if you have no other choice.
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 194
Likes: 10
From: Orange, CA
'12 528i, '05 E320, '05 Jag XJ8L, '04 CLK500, '03 S600, '92 Jeep Briarwood, '79 Rolls Royce
I have purchased those complete ark kits from eBay on my W211 E320 and I was back at the shop having them replaced with Mercedes parts within 7 months. They simply fell apart. Lemforder is the closest you will get to MB genuine. However, some dealers are engaging in the "stars" program where Mercedes makes in-house aftermarket parts (weird, right?) for their cars such as brakes, control arms, misc service items. You might ask your dealer if those are available.
Otherwise you are able to get just the genuine bushings from the dealer. Any shop can press bushings in and out of your old arms. Mercedes also sells the ball joints separate too. Approximately $60 for bushings and $40 for ball joints. Each dealer prices their parts differently even though they all come from the same place.
When people speak of prices on these cars, it's a good time to remind them that while the cars may have depreciated and become affordable to the masses, maintenance parts don't depreciate. You're still paying for parts on a $100,000 car.
Otherwise you are able to get just the genuine bushings from the dealer. Any shop can press bushings in and out of your old arms. Mercedes also sells the ball joints separate too. Approximately $60 for bushings and $40 for ball joints. Each dealer prices their parts differently even though they all come from the same place.
When people speak of prices on these cars, it's a good time to remind them that while the cars may have depreciated and become affordable to the masses, maintenance parts don't depreciate. You're still paying for parts on a $100,000 car.
Last edited by Zach8131; Nov 13, 2016 at 04:34 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 229
SL55, S500
I have purchased those complete ark kits from eBay on my W211 E320 and I was back at the shop having them replaced with Mercedes parts within 7 months. They simply fell apart. Lemforder is the closest you will get to MB genuine. However, some dealers are engaging in the "stars" program where Mercedes makes in-house aftermarket parts (weird, right?) for their cars such as brakes, control arms, misc service items. You might ask your dealer if those are available.
Otherwise you are able to get just the genuine bushings from the dealer. Any shop can press bushings in and out of your old arms. Mercedes also sells the ball joints separate too. Approximately $60 for bushings and $40 for ball joints. Each dealer prices their parts differently even though they all come from the same place.
When people speak of prices on these cars, it's a good time to remind them that while the cars may have depreciated and become affordable to the masses, maintenance parts don't depreciate. You're still paying for parts on a $100,000 car.
Otherwise you are able to get just the genuine bushings from the dealer. Any shop can press bushings in and out of your old arms. Mercedes also sells the ball joints separate too. Approximately $60 for bushings and $40 for ball joints. Each dealer prices their parts differently even though they all come from the same place.
When people speak of prices on these cars, it's a good time to remind them that while the cars may have depreciated and become affordable to the masses, maintenance parts don't depreciate. You're still paying for parts on a $100,000 car.
