What should I replace for abnormal front inner tire wear?

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Aug 6, 2022 | 10:27 PM
  #1  
I'm at less than 40k miles but I have more inner tire wear on one front wheel than the other (I expect some but perferably the same amount side to side). One control arm or bush was replaced after a PPI when I bought the car several years ago. Latest inspection they said the rubber was looking perished but no safety concerns. Anyway I have no actual issues driving, just throught I would refresh things a bit before my next front tires.

Is this kit all that I should need within reason? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...rder-211330#qa I am not too worried about swaybar links or tie rods ends, I can replace them anytime, might order them anyway depending on what the total comes to. Any specific tools? I have a beefy impact and impact 21 / 22mm sockets + the regular stuff with breaker bars and ball joint removers / pitman arm removal set.



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Aug 6, 2022 | 11:45 PM
  #2  
Quote: I'm at less than 40k miles but I have more inner tire wear on one front wheel than the other (I expect some but perferably the same amount side to side). One control arm or bush was replaced after a PPI when I bought the car several years ago. Latest inspection they said the rubber was looking perished but no safety concerns. Anyway I have no actual issues driving, just throught I would refresh things a bit before my next front tires.

Is this kit all that I should need within reason? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...rder-211330#qa I am not too worried about swaybar links or tie rods ends, I can replace them anytime, might order them anyway depending on what the total comes to. Any specific tools? I have a beefy impact and impact 21 / 22mm sockets + the regular stuff with breaker bars and ball joint removers / pitman arm removal set.
Those are the usual suspects when refreshing the front end. I went years trying to determine what was causing the abnormal inner tire wear on my front passenger tire. After going through several damaged wheels during ownership, I went ahead and bought the spindles for both sides when my brakes were due for service. Sure enough, the passenger spindle showed signs of damage at the upper neck where it attached to the upper control arm. The driver side wasn't as bad. I went ahead and buttoned everything back up without the 4 castor/camber bolts (used original solid bolts) and took it in for an alignment. The only adjustments that needed to be made were with the tie rod ends. Food for thought.

-OA
Reply 2
Aug 7, 2022 | 06:24 AM
  #3  
Also add the lower ball joints (you will need the special tool to replace them) and optionally also the front drop links if they are need of replacing. These are the eccentric bolts which give some extra room (more/less caster, more/less camber)

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...kit-0003300018

If you want more adjustability, then I believe there is 1 option for the upper arms (with adjustable rose joint)

[edit]
Also check this topic, as this is currently going on > https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...s-old-e63.html
Reply 1
Aug 8, 2022 | 06:17 PM
  #4  
Quote: Also add the lower ball joints (you will need the special tool to replace them)
Are they the ones that the black arms in the pic above bolt to? From photos it looks like it is pressed into the knuckle?

What type of tool is used? I am hoping there is something in my puller set that will work.
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Aug 8, 2022 | 07:02 PM
  #5  
This should explain almost everything

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Aug 8, 2022 | 07:33 PM
  #6  
Thank you, just ordered the tool from ebay UK. Also seen Alex's video
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Aug 9, 2022 | 04:21 AM
  #7  
Yep exactly, nice work! Im currently in the process of a suspension refresh on the front. I was delivered the wrong lower ball joints, so have to wait a little bit.
Reply 0
Aug 9, 2022 | 04:36 PM
  #8  
As mentioned above, be sure to replace the lower ball joint in the steering knuckle. So long as you're in there and everything ripped apart now is the time to replace it. Otherwise, you will learn as I did that you pretty much have to tear the whole front suspension apart to get that one ball joint out. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but it is a royal PITA to replace.
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Aug 9, 2022 | 06:46 PM
  #9  
I agree, I underestimated this job a little bit. I will receive my (hopefully) correct ball joints today, so I can continue with putting it back together again
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Aug 9, 2022 | 09:27 PM
  #10  
Are there any precautions to removing and reinstalling the air strut from\to the lower control arm?

Does it stay the same length if the car isn't "woken"?
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Aug 10, 2022 | 01:12 AM
  #11  
it's fine after you remove top control arm ball joint there is as much play as you need so air strut just slots in and out.
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