MBWorld.org Forums

S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

Help with front suspension overhaul on 4matic cars

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 5, 2022 | 06:24 PM
Share
  #1  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Help with front suspension overhaul on 4matic cars
I’d like to replace my upper control arms along with the 2 lower control arms. From what I can see the axle looks like it may be in the way. Anyone know if it’s possible to replace the lower control arms while keeping the axle in place? The upper control arm would likely require removing the air spring but not sure about that either.
Last edited by COUPCONNOISSEUR; Jan 5, 2022 at 06:31 PM.
Reply
0
Old Jan 6, 2022 | 06:46 PM
Share
  #2  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Anyone?
Reply
0
Old Jan 12, 2022 | 05:19 PM
Share
  #3  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Bump
Reply
0
Old Jan 12, 2022 | 08:22 PM
Share
  #4  
Senecat's Avatar
Senecat
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 765
1983 Nissan Shltbox
I would start by jacking up the car, getting underneath it, and taking a look at things. You'd be amazed what your brain starts figuring out once it knows what things look like.
Reply
0
Old Jan 12, 2022 | 10:47 PM
Share
  #5  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Originally Posted by Senecat
I would start by jacking up the car, getting underneath it, and taking a look at things. You'd be amazed what your brain starts figuring out once it knows what things look like.
I have, several times. Which leads me to assume the axle needs to be removed. However, by looking at it, you would assume the upper control arm ball joint would need to be separated from the steering knuckle to remove the air spring on 4matic cars. That is not the case. So that’s why I’m asking if anyone knows for sure.
Last edited by COUPCONNOISSEUR; Jan 12, 2022 at 10:49 PM.
Reply
0
Old Jan 13, 2022 | 06:31 AM
Share
  #6  
kevm14's Avatar
kevm14
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 870
04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
It probably makes it easier to deal with the large strut by disconnecting the upper ball joint, and that really is not a big deal.
Reply
0
Old Jan 13, 2022 | 06:51 AM
Share
  #7  
Senecat's Avatar
Senecat
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 765
1983 Nissan Shltbox
Your first post states you want to replace the upper control arms. Then you mention air spring. Sounds like you're taking it all apart anyway, so what's your question? Sorry, I don't understand.

The front ends are stupid easy. The rear ends are where you can get into trouble.
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Jan 13, 2022 | 08:20 AM
Share
  #8  
kevm14's Avatar
kevm14
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 870
04 E55 AMG (totaled), 07 S550 4Matic, 14 E63S
I can say on a W211 I did have to remove the front strut to do the upper control arm. I didn't have a way to get the bolts out. Not sure how packaging is on the W221. So just disconnect upper ball joint, remove lower and upper strut bolts, remove strut, then do your upper. For the lower, no idea what is required.
Reply
0
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 13, 2022 | 12:57 PM
Share
  #9  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Originally Posted by Senecat
Your first post states you want to replace the upper control arms. Then you mention air spring. Sounds like you're taking it all apart anyway, so what's your question? Sorry, I don't understand.

The front ends are stupid easy. The rear ends are where you can get into trouble.
My question is, again, does the axle need to be removed on 4 matic cars to replace the lower control arms
Reply
0
Old Jan 13, 2022 | 12:59 PM
Share
  #10  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Originally Posted by kevm14
It probably makes it easier to deal with the large strut by disconnecting the upper ball joint, and that really is not a big deal.
it does look like it would make it easier, I agree but It was very easy to remove the strut without separating
Reply
0
Old Jan 13, 2022 | 02:53 PM
Share
  #11  
EasyPhil's Avatar
EasyPhil
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 713
Likes: 214
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
Originally Posted by COUPCONNOISSEUR
My question is, again, does the axle need to be removed on 4 matic cars to replace the lower control arms
There axle is not directly connected to the lower control arm.

Get a hold of a EPC diagram and the WIS for the lower control arm removal.
Reply
1
Old Jan 13, 2022 | 11:12 PM
Share
  #12  
COUPCONNOISSEUR's Avatar
COUPCONNOISSEUR
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 314
Likes: 35
From: New York
2010 CL550
Originally Posted by EasyPhil
There axle is not directly connected to the lower control arm.

Get a hold of a EPC diagram and the WIS for the lower control arm removal.
right, the axle however is fitted directly above the top of the ball joint, by the looks of it there is almost no space between them. I’m curious if the control arms can be removed without separating the axle from the steering knuckle. I guess I’ll have to check the wis
Reply
0
Back to Subforum
S-Class (W221)
View Next Unread
Importing 2008 S450 from Canada to USA letter of compliance

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes, average.
Show Printable Version
Email this Page

Advanced Search

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:03 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE