I have a 2005 S500 4matic with around 85000 miles. It was just diagnosed by an alignment specialist as having broken bushings on the passenger side front lower control arm, and a worn ball joint on the driver side front lower control arm.

I just got new tires and need to take care of the problem of these worn bushings and ball joint before I get an alignment. Also, the boots on the passenger side axle are torn and slinging grease, so the boots need to be replaced as well.

I'm a pretty decent DIY mechanic, and am capable of replacing things like struts and motor mounts on my other cars. Here's my problem: On most other cars I would just get new control arms complete with new bushings and ball joints and replace them, but on the S500 they cost around $700 each. (Ouch.) On the other hand, the bushings and ball joints are mere tens of dollars. But there are NO good online DIY how-to write-ups or YouTube videos for the 4matic S-class. RWD yes, but 4matic no. Also, I've never replaced bushings or ball joints before and don't have the Mercedes tools needed to successfully remove and install them.

Even worse, after searching online, I can't even tell for certain what specific bushing and ball jount tools I'd need or even which bushings and ball joints I'd need for the front LCA's on my S500. (When I find bushings or ball joints online at a parts supplier, I can't tell if the bushings I'm looking at are for RWD or 4matic.)

I'm writing here to ask for both info and practical advice.
-Is removing the front lower control arms to replace bushings and ball joints a realistic DIY job? If yes, I'm looking for specific part numbers for the bushings, ball joints, and tools required to remove and install the bushings and ball joints.

-If no, is spending the $1400 for brand new control arms a realistic DIY R&R job?

-Or is this a job for a shop?

-My local Mercedes dealer will only tell me if they can R&R the bushings and ball joints if they first see and inspect my car. I'm willing to let them look at it, but they've been amazingly incompetent when it comes to my car and I really prefer to avoid them if possible. The local independent "Mercedes Only" shop says they don't have the bushing tools for the 4matic and they'll only do them on a RWD. I'm just trying to work out what my most cost effective solution to this problem is, whether it's some combination of me working on it, or replacing the LCA's myself, or whether I can get a shop to replace the bushings and ball joints rather than all new LCA's.

Advice from previous experience with these is welcomed, along with part numbers for the parts and tools.

 

Yes, the front lower complete control arms are a pretty penny. As far as compatibility for the 4matic, our catalog specifically calls out parts for your S500 4matic separately from the RWD model. For the ball joints - Genuine or Lemforder is a great alternative brand to go with: For the 4matic -
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg2.htm#item5. We also have the tools needed for the job here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...n-Steering.htm. If you have questions about parts/tools please let me know.

 

Ball joints are replaceable. Check out the below link which also contains very helpful videos.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...-tutorial.html

 

Actually, the 4matic lower control arm has 2 ball joints. The one that mounts to the steering knuckle is replaceable but the second one that attaches to the bottom of the airmatic shock is not. Therefore, if the fixed ball joint is bad you have to pony up for the whole control arm.

Sam

 

Followup: What I finally did!
-Dealer had the tools to replace lower control arm bushings and balljoints and quoted "around $700" each, for labor and parts. That's around the parts cost alone for a new lower control arm that I'd have to install myself.

I had the dealer do both lower control arms with new bushings and balljoints. I also had them replace the torn axle boots, and they gave the car an alignment, and washed my car. Total came to just over $1800.

This is one of those 4-figure repairs people who are considering buying a used W220 should be aware of, along with potential airmatic issues. Rubber bushings aren't expensive on their own, but renewing the rubber in a worn Mercedes suspension can be surprisingly pricey. You have to accept that owning a car like this has maintenance costs associated with it.