Front suspension
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 80
From: Tampa Bay, FL
05 E55, 98 CLK320
Originally Posted by bbirdwell
Originally Posted by MACEDON
Hi Barry
I want to invest some time in my suspension but I don't really know where to start. My car was mostly driven in Florida during it's lifetime, but it began its life in Chicago, so it has a tiny bit of rust.
I would assume after 12 years it needs some suspension part replacement. So far my mechanic has only done my tie rods because he couldn't align with the old ones.
When I asked him what else needs replacing he said "the car drives fine, we live in FL unlike those guys up north that's why you always see them posting about ball joints" etc, that was the jist of it.
But I'd still like to do some of that work myself to get a better riding car.
What can you recommend I buy (preferrably from FCP euro) to start proactively replacing? I know you said ball joints in one of your posts, what else would be good to buy and swap?
Just a list of the names of the components and I can go hunt them down with links.
I want to invest some time in my suspension but I don't really know where to start. My car was mostly driven in Florida during it's lifetime, but it began its life in Chicago, so it has a tiny bit of rust.
I would assume after 12 years it needs some suspension part replacement. So far my mechanic has only done my tie rods because he couldn't align with the old ones.
When I asked him what else needs replacing he said "the car drives fine, we live in FL unlike those guys up north that's why you always see them posting about ball joints" etc, that was the jist of it.
But I'd still like to do some of that work myself to get a better riding car.
What can you recommend I buy (preferrably from FCP euro) to start proactively replacing? I know you said ball joints in one of your posts, what else would be good to buy and swap?
Just a list of the names of the components and I can go hunt them down with links.
A 211 330 04 35, Supporting Joint (lower ball joint in steering knuckle) hardest one to replace so do it while you're in there. 2 each.
A 211 330 81 07 Spring link, bottom left (aka control arm to which the air spring attaches) black or silver color are both the same, just different colors. 1 each.
A 211 330 82 07 Spring link, bottom right. 1 each.
A 211 330 45 11 Strut rod, left with bearing (aka thrust arm that is most forward in the car) comes with new ball joint pressed in. 1 each.
A 211 330 46 11 Strut rod, right with bearing. 1 each.
A 000 330 10 07 RS Transverse control arm. Upper ball joint. 2 each. This is the version that mounts to the upper control arm using three bolts. '03 models used a one-piece upper control arm so verify yours have the ball joints that are bolted on rather than pressed in.
I'll post a screen shot of the front suspension in the W211 AMG section for you.
Barry
Original PM exchange for anyone curious; I'm ordering the parts now. Thanks Barry!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 80
From: Tampa Bay, FL
05 E55, 98 CLK320
From another member who I PM'd
I'm waiting on parts to arrive too, I'll make a video when I do it.
I'm waiting on parts to arrive too, I'll make a video when I do it.
" Watched whatever youtube videos I could find, then just took my time figuring it out. make sure you have both sides of the car jacked up at same time, otherwise the front sway bar gets tension and makes things tougher. Also, I was able to separate ball joints without destroying them by CAREFULLY using the harbor freight tool. (That tool is a godsend). You want to have the full weight of the car on the suspension before the final tightening of the innermost bolts for your control arms. I have a friend with a garage, so I hand tightened those bolts, drove slowly the 4 miles to his shop, and drove the car up on the alignment rack, got underneath, then tightened those bolts down well. If you dont do this, your control arm bushings will wear faster as they will be twisted at an unnatural position. I also needed an alignment after doing all 4 lower arms. And you probably already know...dont overtigten any nut that goes on your ball joints. Otherwise, you can snap the ball joint. "
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,969
Likes: 1,317
From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
The only difference in the parts diagrams is the early E55 (2003) used a one-piece upper control arm that was replaced with the two-piece upper control arm.
