SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Front Control Arm Replacement
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
BMW M5 / SL55 AMG
Front Control Arm Replacement
Hi All -
I am told by my indy that I need the control arm bushings replaced on the front of mt 04 sl55. They quote 800+ to remove control arms, press out the bushings and re-install. An option is to simply buy replacement control arms and install. On-line research turns up a wide range of options on replacements.
Questions:
1) If I replace the control arm, is there anything else that I should take care of or replace at the same time?
2) Is this a DIY procedure, or am I asking for trouble going at it on my own? I know my way around cars pretty well, I have rebuilt the ABC actuators, replaced accumulators, replaced supercharger idle bearing and quite a few other odds and ends, so I am not afraid of a wrench.
Any vids or tutorials? Hints and input welcome!
Thanks!
John
I am told by my indy that I need the control arm bushings replaced on the front of mt 04 sl55. They quote 800+ to remove control arms, press out the bushings and re-install. An option is to simply buy replacement control arms and install. On-line research turns up a wide range of options on replacements.
Questions:
1) If I replace the control arm, is there anything else that I should take care of or replace at the same time?
2) Is this a DIY procedure, or am I asking for trouble going at it on my own? I know my way around cars pretty well, I have rebuilt the ABC actuators, replaced accumulators, replaced supercharger idle bearing and quite a few other odds and ends, so I am not afraid of a wrench.
Any vids or tutorials? Hints and input welcome!
Thanks!
John
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 160
Likes: 32
2005 SL55 Completely Built Motor
I had mine done just recently as I had no time to deal with it and it ran me right around $850. According to them its quite involved process on the labor side.
If you have done those things I think you can easily tackle the control arms. Then I'd just run it by a shop to get alignment when your done.
If you have done those things I think you can easily tackle the control arms. Then I'd just run it by a shop to get alignment when your done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 229
SL55, S500
$800-$850?
Whats the process behind this? The control arm is around 150-250. How are they charging you 6 hours of labor? Is the R230 completely different than the W220 for the control arms? Took my Indy 30 min to change my control arm on the S
Whats the process behind this? The control arm is around 150-250. How are they charging you 6 hours of labor? Is the R230 completely different than the W220 for the control arms? Took my Indy 30 min to change my control arm on the S
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 96
From: Houston
001 s600, 94 sl600
I am an old (72) obese wanna be tech and it took me less than an hour working on driveway with ramps and safety jackstands to replace BOTH front-back lower control arms. . Only 'tight' things were ball joint-spindle joints, but $15 tool works like a cham to pop them loose without damaging rubber boots. Impossible without the tool. Note the ABC control arms ARE DIFFERENT than airmatic. Attachment '*****' for struts is about 1" different location out on the control arm. Note--these ARE steel, not aluminum as other control arms are.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
CL600, ML550, SL65
I know this response is way late but I just did both front control arms on my SL. After the splash shields were out of the way the left side took five minutes to remove. The left side was 10 minutes. The install was less than 10 minutes per side. 50nm plus 60 degrees was easy. It noticeably tightened up the front end. Most of the wear was hidden in the large rubber bushing. This is a very easy project. I purchased the complete arms with bushings installed from FCPeuro for $245.
Dave
Dave
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