W210 E300 Suspension Rebuild & etc. Input? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

anghrist · #16 09-29-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speednjay

is that the front bushings? the front lca bushings are shot while the rears bushings are solid.

It seems like I asked this question when I checked out those bushings. I'm pretty sure that they are for the forward bushings. And while your rear bushings may appear solid, replace them. You're going to have to pull the LCA completely out to replace the front bushings, so you had better replace the rear bushings as well. Remember, they are probably the same age as those in the front.

anghrist · #17 10-17-2010, 09:08 AM

Okay folks,

After day four and the job is still going. I've learned some valuable lessons thus far:

1) Check your aftermarket bushing sizes to make sure they will fit. Waiting on replacements now.
2) Disconnect your sway bar when removing front springs. It is just easier and also the perscibed method.
3) Stuck bolts are a pain. The front sway bar brackets are held on with 8mm x 1.25 pitch thread bolts that have external torx heads. One of mine froze about halfway out. Drill and extractor bit were the only option that would work. Threads cleaned and everthingnis back on track.
4) Spend time reviewing all R&R procedures as well as all aftermarket installation instructions.
5) Rear sway bar comes out when "most" of the rear subframe is detached. Used one bolt to keep subframe in place and a tranny jack to lower the rest of the subframe. Swaybar can then be slid out to the side very easily.

speednjay · #18 10-25-2010, 12:31 PM

What kind of a job were the rear subframe bushings? Specifically the front of the rear bushings. Can they be swapped without special tools?

anghrist · #19 10-26-2010, 12:16 PM

Okay folks,

I've finished the rebuild and have a few little things that I can share.

I installed the H&R Sport Springs on my can and I can say that they definitely give the car a more aggressive stance; however, it's not for me. I have realised that here in Southern California (the land of high curbs and parking pylons and oppressively deep street surface drainage channels) I much perfer the stock ground clearance to the sport stance given by the H&R springs. The stiff cornering and increased surface feedback are fine, but I plan on changing our for the stock springs to get the old Mercedes feel back.

The H&R Front Sway bar offers just a bit more stiffness than stock. I did more research and the E300 appears to come with a stock 27mm front sway bar. The E55 has a 29mm front sway bar, and the H&R is a 30mm sway bar. My opinion is that the H&R though thicker, may offer a bit of added stiffness, but I, personally, can not tell that much difference. The H&R rear sway bar seemed to be exactly the same size and weight as the stock, but that was just by eyeballing it.

KMAC bushings rule. Really! This was probably the best thing I've done for my car since I bought it. These bushings will likely last the lifetime of the vehicle and give a very large degree of adjustment to correct those camber issues we see with the W210. I also lubed the bushing caps to ensure that they do not squeak and that they will move appropriately during ajdustment. Removal of the old bushings goes well with the help of the perscribed removal tool (I have one of these now), liquid wrench, and an air hammer. I can remove the bushings from the LCA in about 7-10 minutes this way. The KMAC bushings press right in as easy as pie. Stock bushings should be pressed in with the perscribed R&R tool.

Subframe busings should not be changed without the proper tools or you risk your sanity. I rented the toolkit from 'marcmayer' on the www.benzworld.com forum. This made the task much easier. Also an air hammer made removal of the forward bushing remains quick and easy as well.

Rear hub carrier bushings do wear out. Who would have thought that these were as worn as they were. I had no idea how bad they were until I actually pulled them off the car.

New sway bar end links are on the way for the original sway bar. I will rebush and reinstall it when I reinstall the original springs this weekend. I cleaned the sway bar and springs last night with Simple Green and sprayed the spring bottoms with Waxoyl Hardwax Undercoat where there was some minor surface rust. Will probably treat the swaybar where the old bughings wore away the paint with the Waxoyl as well once it's remounted on the car.

michakaveli · #20 10-27-2010, 06:06 PM

Good thread... Thanks for posting!

I didn't think that the H&R swaybars were much different from the E300 versions as the engines are heavier.

As for the springs, you may want to try the E55 springs, with #5 pads up front.