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Hi everyone! This may have been covered before but I'm struggling to get the correct front upper control arms (wishbones) for my SL350 R230 2002 model with ABC. My Front upper control arms are the fully cast with integral balljoint & are specific for left & right fitment. The arm has a cast in Mercedes # A230 333 0101 & A230 333 0201 I have ordered, received & returned at least 8 different pairs of fabricated with bolt on ball joint arms from many parts shop neither pair were correct being approx 25/mm too wide.
Chassis number - WDB2304671F046280
My local Mercedes dealer is unable to find anything other than a fabricated with bolt on ball joint wishbone similar to the lower one in the attached photo. The only one part from local Mercedes dealer here in Czech Republic is A2303300138 (both side) but it some other type with unintegral balljoint and 25mm wider!
Cheers in advance for any help. Ivan! My old arm - A2303330201 Mercedes suggested part (nr. 150)- too wide!
I have the same issue as in the original post. Both my front upper control arm ball joints are in bad shape (part number A230 333 0101 and 0201 I believe), and I have been buying parts that say they are compatible with the Mercedes OEM number, only to find that they are about 2.5 cm too wide at the top of the “U”.
I saw the post on a MOOG part and to search for part number A2303300138…
I cannot find the MOOG part in Europe/UK, and the A2303300138 part number seem to lead to parts that are too wide (typically 27 cm, where as the original part is approx 25 cm).
In the US, the Delphi part is miscataloged, but most of the rest fit. Look at the application guide for the part or look at the catalog for an E-class. If they show it fitting anything other than the SL, it is incorrect. I also believe that Rock Auto will export if you can't find it locally.
I have also the same problem with my right upper control arm ( SL55 AMG ), the new one is too big !! So where can I find the right one ? Lenght 255mm Width 259mm. All of them that I found is L 274 W 274. Grateful for help, summer is here and need to change the control arm.
Last edited by Stefan R; May 24, 2024 at 10:25 AM.
I have also the same problem with my right upper control arm ( SL55 AMG ), the new one is too big !! So where can I find the right one ? Lenght 255mm Width 259mm. All of them that I found is L 274 W 274. Grateful for help, summer is here and need to change the control arm.
See above. If is listed as SL500/SL55 check the application guide or check the part listed for a 2003 E500. If the same part is listed for E-class and CLS-class, it will not fit any R230. ALL R230's except Black Series, use the same upper control arm. They share most of the front suspension with E and CLS classes that were introduced about the same time, but the upper arm is narrowed for the R230 platform. I'm not sure where you are from. If you are in the US/Canada, I can give you specific part numbers. In Europe or elsewhere, aftermarket brands and part numbers are generally different, so just check application info. The only US part that I have seen miscataloged is the Delphi TC1490/TC1491, but I know that there are several more in Europe.
This is incorrect, the early cars have a narrow control arm different from the e class, we have been through this before, I have an early production car with the narrow upper arm that doesn’t have replaceable ball joints. The e class unit will NOT fit my car.
As I said, if it is listed for an E-class, it doesn't fit an R230.
The only thing different on the early cars is that they had a one piece design with integrated ball joint 2303302507 (L) and 2303302607 (R). This was changed to a replaceable ball joint design 2303300138 which fits either side and uses ball joint 0003301007 (which superceded 2113309907), but they are fully interchangeable. The ball joint itself is the same as E-class.
This one upper arm fits every R230 except black series which uses 2303303507/3607.
You will see L & R versions from aftermarket sources. They are they same arm, assembled in either Left or Right configurations. If you unbolt the ball joint and flip it over, a left becomes a right.
I stand corrected and sorry for the confusion. Thank you for the correction
No problem, it seems like this seems to get blown out of proportion because of some incorrect aftermarket cataloging. In reality, it is pretty simple. I use the Moog arms from Rock Auto, reasonably priced and no issues.
UPDATE - I contacted Delphi and got the following response:Thank you again for your submission.
Below is the response from our catalog team.
After reviewing the Part Catalog Listing, our Supplier site, and the OE numbers for the control arms. We have corrected the catalog listing and removed the SL-Class from the TC1490/TC1491 Suspension Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly listings.
It will probably take a few weeks for this to work through all of the third party catalogs, but they responded within hours.
I've just received Delphi parts. They don't fit my 2003. Too wide as the others have said. I have tried everywhere I can think of now. I'm reluctant to order from abroad on such a troublesome part. Even giving reg numbers and vin hasn't helped. So please does anyone have any suggestions to replace the original cast arms? I don't really want to fit new bushes to 21 year old arms.
Last edited by Keith Noon; Jul 4, 2024 at 10:19 AM.
Order Moog RK622204/RK622205 from Rock Auto. They are actually interchangeable L/R, but may or may not come preassembled for the specified side. I am 100% certain these will fit your car. My understanding is that Rock Auto in well versed in export.
Vaico V30-1802 Will fit in replacement of this ???
Hi,
Like most here this upper control arm thing is max frustrating, I agree I get quoted 275mm wide parts all day and cant find the 258mm parts.
I think I may have stumbled going round circle on the V30-1802 part form Vaico, did this part actually fit in the end.
I know n earlier gentleman suggested the Moog parts from Rock auto, but I can get this in the UK.
Why is this so frustrating... I have a session with a Mercedes dealer on Tuesday, but if someone could help clarify the Vaico v30-1802 p/n that would be excellent.
I am also having trouble looking for it. Bought 3 sets from all over Asia apparently it’s all the same 275mm. If anyone has a link for the correct parts please help too. Thanks in advance
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