SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: R230 SL suspention bushings
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,305
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
C63, SL55, E55, CLS55, ML63, C55
R230 SL suspention bushings
I had my car in for some warranty work. I have a friend who owns an indy service shop that deals with European cars. We services the same warranties the dealer has. I decided to give him a shot at some warranty work for my failing power steering pump. After I got the car in to his shop. He told me he would go though the car and find everything wrong with it. Since it would all be covered by my warranty, I said " Go for it."
I was talking with him about how I haven't been racing my car as of late. I told him it just never felt right midway down the strip or up top. Slight swaying and walking on the track.
After he examined my suspension. It was deemed that all of the suspension bushing have failed. With in two day of him having my car he had replaced all of suspension bushings with new up graded hydraulic bushings. Rather than standard sold rubber bushings. All I can say now is wow! This car rides awesome now. No pulling left or right under throttle, sharper turning response.
I asked him if this is something he see's a lot on the SL's. His reply to me was he hasn't seen an SL "not" have this problem.
Here are some pics of the old bushings that failed adn a pic of the new hydraulic bushings we used to replace them with.
New
I was talking with him about how I haven't been racing my car as of late. I told him it just never felt right midway down the strip or up top. Slight swaying and walking on the track.
After he examined my suspension. It was deemed that all of the suspension bushing have failed. With in two day of him having my car he had replaced all of suspension bushings with new up graded hydraulic bushings. Rather than standard sold rubber bushings. All I can say now is wow! This car rides awesome now. No pulling left or right under throttle, sharper turning response.
I asked him if this is something he see's a lot on the SL's. His reply to me was he hasn't seen an SL "not" have this problem.
Here are some pics of the old bushings that failed adn a pic of the new hydraulic bushings we used to replace them with.
New
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 93
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
C63, SL55, E55, CLS55, ML63, C55
I'm headed back over to my friends shop this morning for a speed sensor install that was back ordered. I can find out more details on the bushings.
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dunno about the 55 (i assume it is the same), but on the 65 most if not all bushings are hydraulic. i found that the hard way when i had to split one on the front radius arm to remove it and i got sprayed with oil. then i did some in the rear and did not split them but they appeared identical to the one on the front so i assume they were oil-filled too.
edit: looking at the pics this is exactly the bushing i replaced on the front. i think. this is the big one on the front radius arm. it is hydraulic from the factory.
edit: looking at the pics this is exactly the bushing i replaced on the front. i think. this is the big one on the front radius arm. it is hydraulic from the factory.
Last edited by alx; Dec 20, 2011 at 11:32 AM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 117
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From: London
C63 Estate
Yeah some more info would be great, I get similar sensations to the ones you are describing re the walking/wondering.
Will be looking to overhaul a lot of the bushes over Xmas so would be nice to know what upgrades you can do.
Let us know
T
Will be looking to overhaul a lot of the bushes over Xmas so would be nice to know what upgrades you can do.
Let us know
T
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Raleigh NC
2007 E63, 2006 C55
RE: Bushings
To date, mine has had the front axle inner lower control arm and the front thrust arm (in your 1st pic) replaced. My steering is now tight and as precise as my E63.
Both were replaced by "updated" Mercedes bushings under warranty. Whether the updated bushings will last any longer remains to be seen.
All replaced bushings, like yours, were pretty much toast when removed.
My rear suspension bushings have remained fine, so far anyway. Setting the rear toe tighter (.04) and adding a Quaife LSD cured my rear torque steer and the WOT wheel to wheel oscillations.
Both were replaced by "updated" Mercedes bushings under warranty. Whether the updated bushings will last any longer remains to be seen.
All replaced bushings, like yours, were pretty much toast when removed.
My rear suspension bushings have remained fine, so far anyway. Setting the rear toe tighter (.04) and adding a Quaife LSD cured my rear torque steer and the WOT wheel to wheel oscillations.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
maybe a stupid question, but are changing out the bushings a fairly straight forward install? I ask because I was thinking about trying out an indy I have not used here in Milwaukee and thought it would be a good first job for them.
