Thrust arms
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 609
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
2005 E55
Thrust arms
Went for alignment and mechanic told me 1 of the front thrust arms were gone. He said I needed the following:
Thrust arm
Thrust arm bushing
Bushing cover
Bolt
He said might as well replace both sides. Only caveat he won't install anything but Mercedes oem made in Germany.
I can find the thrust arms but is there an additional bushing & cover?
Thrust arm
Thrust arm bushing
Bushing cover
Bolt
He said might as well replace both sides. Only caveat he won't install anything but Mercedes oem made in Germany.
I can find the thrust arms but is there an additional bushing & cover?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,311
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
First, find another mechanic.
Next order new thrust arms and control arms. They come with new bushings and ball joints installed. Cost is about $310 USD from Partsgeek.com.
Take these to your NEW mechanic and pay him to install.
You can spend the money (approx $12 USD each) for four each "eccentric bolts" from Pelicanparts.com or autohausaz.com and install those at the same time. Easiest to do so at this time and it provides room to adjust caster and camber in the future.
Did I say, "find another mechanic"? It is not his call to tell you what parts you want to install. You pay him to install. Period. If it doesn't work, it is on you, not him.
Next order new thrust arms and control arms. They come with new bushings and ball joints installed. Cost is about $310 USD from Partsgeek.com.
Take these to your NEW mechanic and pay him to install.
You can spend the money (approx $12 USD each) for four each "eccentric bolts" from Pelicanparts.com or autohausaz.com and install those at the same time. Easiest to do so at this time and it provides room to adjust caster and camber in the future.
Did I say, "find another mechanic"? It is not his call to tell you what parts you want to install. You pay him to install. Period. If it doesn't work, it is on you, not him.
Last edited by bbirdwell; May 9, 2016 at 10:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 609
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
2005 E55
I was a little surprised he won't install anything non genuine Mercedes. He is a master tech gone solo but is very rigid in his ways. He believes that if it's not made in Germany its not worth installing. Especially suspension. He also warranties all his labour on oem parts for a year. Won't on anything else.
I am thinking about doing this myself. Doesn't seem too difficult if I put out for the tools.
I am thinking about doing this myself. Doesn't seem too difficult if I put out for the tools.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,311
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Here are the parts he is talking about. Just order aftermarket. If you are stuck on OEM, search factorymoparparts.com. Same parts. Same MB part number. Cheaper. Print out the price and take it to the local MB dealer and ask if they can match the price plus shipping. Worked for me everytime. I get a price break and my local dealer still makes a profit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,311
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
If you plan to do it yourself you need to deflate the air springs. To do that, an SDS or Xentry system makes it easier. FWIW, I rebuilt the rear suspension on my '05 E55 (two days DIY), then took it to a local independent for the front suspension work (I was beat down at that point). For comparison purposes, the independent mechanic replaced the following for $1650 USD labor (parts not included):
-both front thrust arms
-both front control arms
-both front air springs
-engine mount
-transmission mount
So...this gives you an idea of cost. Now, there is an excellent thread on replacing the front control and thrust arms here on the Forum; you'll have to search because I'm lazy but it is a good DIY with photos. I almost did the work myself but time constraints worked against me.
Good luck to you. Enjoy your ride.
-both front thrust arms
-both front control arms
-both front air springs
-engine mount
-transmission mount
So...this gives you an idea of cost. Now, there is an excellent thread on replacing the front control and thrust arms here on the Forum; you'll have to search because I'm lazy but it is a good DIY with photos. I almost did the work myself but time constraints worked against me.
Good luck to you. Enjoy your ride.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 32
04 E55 AMG
I did this not to long ago was really easy took a couple of hours.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...trol-arms.html
here is the DIY that I typed out hopefully it helps. It is for Thrust arms I made an incorrect title! Any questions feel free to send me a PM
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...trol-arms.html
here is the DIY that I typed out hopefully it helps. It is for Thrust arms I made an incorrect title! Any questions feel free to send me a PM
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 354
Likes: 32
04 E55 AMG
If you plan to do it yourself you need to deflate the air springs. To do that, an SDS or Xentry system makes it easier. FWIW, I rebuilt the rear suspension on my '05 E55 (two days DIY), then took it to a local independent for the front suspension work (I was beat down at that point). For comparison purposes, the independent mechanic replaced the following for $1650 USD labor (parts not included):
-both front thrust arms
-both front control arms
-both front air springs
-engine mount
-transmission mount
So...this gives you an idea of cost. Now, there is an excellent thread on replacing the front control and thrust arms here on the Forum; you'll have to search because I'm lazy but it is a good DIY with photos. I almost did the work myself but time constraints worked against me.
Good luck to you. Enjoy your ride.
-both front thrust arms
-both front control arms
-both front air springs
-engine mount
-transmission mount
So...this gives you an idea of cost. Now, there is an excellent thread on replacing the front control and thrust arms here on the Forum; you'll have to search because I'm lazy but it is a good DIY with photos. I almost did the work myself but time constraints worked against me.
Good luck to you. Enjoy your ride.
Doesn't the air suspension deflate automatically when the tires are up off the ground? I always find my suspension deflated when I lower my vehicle after having it up on the jack stands with my tires suspended in the air.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 109
From: DownEast Maine
CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320
Went for alignment and mechanic told me 1 of the front thrust arms were gone. He said I needed the following:
Thrust arm
Thrust arm bushing
Bushing cover
Bolt
He said might as well replace both sides. Only caveat he won't install anything but Mercedes oem made in Germany.
I can find the thrust arms but is there an additional bushing & cover?
Thrust arm
Thrust arm bushing
Bushing cover
Bolt
He said might as well replace both sides. Only caveat he won't install anything but Mercedes oem made in Germany.
I can find the thrust arms but is there an additional bushing & cover?
I can see where your mech is coming from, but an overpriced box isn't the only path to quality.
Pelican parts often lists the OEM brand and the one in the MB box, also a quality rating for your other options.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 609
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
2005 E55
Here are the parts he is talking about. Just order aftermarket. If you are stuck on OEM, search factorymoparparts.com. Same parts. Same MB part number. Cheaper. Print out the price and take it to the local MB dealer and ask if they can match the price plus shipping. Worked for me everytime. I get a price break and my local dealer still makes a profit.
I did this not to long ago was really easy took a couple of hours.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...trol-arms.html
here is the DIY that I typed out hopefully it helps. It is for Thrust arms I made an incorrect title! Any questions feel free to send me a PM
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...trol-arms.html
here is the DIY that I typed out hopefully it helps. It is for Thrust arms I made an incorrect title! Any questions feel free to send me a PM
Mercedes doesn't make many suspension parts, if any. They sub it out. Lemforder was the original manufacturer of the thrust arms. They had a plant in maine, but moved somewhere cheaper.
I can see where your mech is coming from, but an overpriced box isn't the only path to quality.
Pelican parts often lists the OEM brand and the one in the MB box, also a quality rating for your other options.
I can see where your mech is coming from, but an overpriced box isn't the only path to quality.
Pelican parts often lists the OEM brand and the one in the MB box, also a quality rating for your other options.
If you plan to do it yourself you need to deflate the air springs. To do that, an SDS or Xentry system makes it easier. FWIW, I rebuilt the rear suspension on my '05 E55 (two days DIY), then took it to a local independent for the front suspension work (I was beat down at that point). For comparison purposes, the independent mechanic replaced the following for $1650 USD labor (parts not included):
-both front thrust arms
-both front control arms
-both front air springs
-engine mount
-transmission mount
So...this gives you an idea of cost. Now, there is an excellent thread on replacing the front control and thrust arms here on the Forum; you'll have to search because I'm lazy but it is a good DIY with photos. I almost did the work myself but time constraints worked against me.
Good luck to you. Enjoy your ride.
-both front thrust arms
-both front control arms
-both front air springs
-engine mount
-transmission mount
So...this gives you an idea of cost. Now, there is an excellent thread on replacing the front control and thrust arms here on the Forum; you'll have to search because I'm lazy but it is a good DIY with photos. I almost did the work myself but time constraints worked against me.
Good luck to you. Enjoy your ride.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 44
From: ATL
2017 GLS 550
they are really easy to install. and you don't have to deflate really. I was lazy and my laptop battery was dead so I didn't hook up DAS. I did both sides thrust arms and control arms in 4 hours. 2.5 for first side, 1.5 for the second side.
Last edited by thtguy; May 10, 2016 at 08:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 609
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
2005 E55
Priced out everything, seems vendors (AutoHausaz, PartsGeek & PelicanParts) are pretty close low of $339 & high of $347 shipped. Any recommendations on who to buy from? I have purchased from AutoHausaz before with no issue.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 609
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
2005 E55
SPONSOR
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From: Harbor City, CA
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, MINI and more!
Lemfoerder is a sufficient brand and the OEM supplier so you can't go wrong there. Plus, they come with a pretty good warranty from us. If you have any questions or need any assistance please do not hesitate to let me know.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg3.htm#item6
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg3.htm#item6
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 44
From: ATL
2017 GLS 550
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 609
Likes: 19
From: Ontario
2005 E55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,311
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
4 bolts like I wrote in a previous post. Just install in the "neutral position" (slot vertical). If you need to adjust the caster or camber, the bolts are already installed and you just rotate the bolt to place the slot in the 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock position. Since you have to remove the original bolts anyway, just install the eccentrics now. They won't hurt and they might help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,311
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
You want something like this:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg3.htm#item6
Limited adjustability but better than nothing. Provides 3mm inward or outward movement which translates into +/-0.3 degrees of camber change. You can always trade caster for camber.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg3.htm#item6
Limited adjustability but better than nothing. Provides 3mm inward or outward movement which translates into +/-0.3 degrees of camber change. You can always trade caster for camber.
