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Replaced the lower front control arms on my 39k mile MBC car yesterday and what a difference! The ride is noticeably improved and steering and tracking feel like a new car. I believe what people have posted on here that ball joints and bushings in the arms wear out quickly and especially so with MBC. I was a bit surprised that the new arms altered the toe quite a bit, but the alignment took care of that.
These arms are pretty inexpensive and readily available in the aftermarket. I had bought a set for my previous Airmatic car, so I just added the 'spring arms' for MBC struts. As I result I have a pair of new unused Airmatic RWD spring arms that need a new home; if anyone would like them, just give a PM ...
What was the total cost?
I remember my 1st W222 needed those at around 75-80K, but I sold the car then without fixing them. Dealer wanted ~2000sh USD for one side.
My GLS needed one lower arm due to the ball joint squeaking at around 55K miles. Surprisingly, it was in the 500 USD range, covered by warranty.
I saw call to arms and got excited! Last time I did a call to arms I was shipped off to the Near East and managed to come back in 1 piece....I digress.
My S560 has 107k miles on it and I have not had to replace any suspension parts.....
My prior S needed new control arms at 55k and I once had an Infiniti that could not track straight no matter what they did to it.
Odd....
To put some data on the forum, my front arms are making a noise, still functional, but I do think that is why I have a small vibration on highways speeds, that could be replaced.
I have a 18 S63 and replaced the same lower contol arm on the right side last summer at around 48K miles. The car had been making squaking noises under suspension movement and then some grinding noises when turning the steering wheel, both noises due to ball joint disentegration. Super easy to diagnose, and not too difficult to replace.
I just did the upper, lower, sway bar links, and tie rods on my 2015 S550 last weekend. It was quite the job, the uppers are a pain in the butt with having to drop the air struts, but as the OP said, it made a WORLD of difference in the ride quality of the car. The drivers side upper was the only one that I knew for certain was shot, but a couple others had tears starting in the rubber boots, so figured I just bite the bullet and do it all in one go.
I saw call to arms and got excited! Last time I did a call to arms I was shipped off to the Near East and managed to come back in 1 piece....I digress.
My S560 has 107k miles on it and I have not had to replace any suspension parts.....
My prior S needed new control arms at 55k and I once had an Infiniti that could not track straight no matter what they did to it.
Odd....
Sorry for the thread derail but what all did they do to your Infiniti? Reason I ask is I am not happy with the way my W212 tracks and it always has had more vibration that I think that it should.
I have replaced the front struts including mounts, and bearings, sway bar links, drivers tie rod end and front control arm bushings.
This thread led me to reading about memory steer. Wondering about ball joints being bound.
When the dealership did the last alignment recently, they said that they couldn't get the camber completely in without installing new camber bolts and as they were doing under a rear subframe warranty repair Mercedes wouldn't have paid for it if they did. The service advisor said it wasn't out enough to be concerned and the car had this tracking issue before the alignment. It's better now but still doesn't feel right.
I am tempted to chuck the control arms though I hate replacing parts without known cause and I rebushed the uppers. The car has 160K miles on it.
Kudos to OP , I appreciate your skills as well . That mileage sounded kinda a bit premature to me but I have to consider S Class's weight as well .
The best thing is to hear you're satisfied with the replacement
Happy Driving
Have any of you replaced the front torque arms? I need to replace mine, and was wondering if it's just a remove and replace, or if more of the spindle needs to be taken apart (ie lower control arm etc) due to how the torque arm mounts on the spindle via its ball joint. Thanks
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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.
