W202 (1997 C230) Suspension Questions

My C230 is due for some suspension work (squeaking over speed humps and thumping over bumps at speed). I've become moderately DIY handy and am going to do what I can do myself before I go to my mechanic. I'd like to start with two things: stabilizer bar bushings and lower ball joints. Can you all please help me figure out a few things?

1- Are the stabilizer bar bushings and lower ball joints removed and replaced from underneath the car?
2- Assuming yes, do the wheels need to hang in the air like the car was on a real lift, or can I just drive up on ramps?
3- I have two Mercedes jacks. If I jack up the front on both sides, buttress the jack points with additional support, and secure the rear tires from rolling, is that safe?
4- I'm pretty sure I can do the stabilizer bar bushings myself. Does anyone have directions or helpful tips for this job on a W202?
5- If I buy new lower ball joints, do they still need to be "pressed in" with a special tool?
6- Any other helpful tips...?

Thanks in advance. Best regards,

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

how many miles on car?

roll bar bushings are easy, but I doubt they are causing noise, but who knows
can be done with car on ramps

if you can hang the front wheels off a lift yuo can check ball joints for movement.

your method for jacking the car is not something anyone would encourage

Thanks man. 120,000 miles. Only suspension work has been a new steering damper at 90,000.

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Greetings,
I also recently did some suspension work on my '97 C230.

In a previous post I mentioned that I found that tho sound deadening material that lines the transmission shaft, on the underside of the car, was sagging and hitting the flex disc on the drive shaft. This was causing some of the thumping/grinding suspension noise on my C230 and may be happening to you. I cut some of it out, near the flex disc at the transmission, to fix the problem.

To replace the ball joints you will need a gear puller. I got mine Sears. It takes a lot of effort to get the ball joint off. So plan on banging on it. Remember to support the bottom A-frame while you are doing this since, the spring is pushing on it and could hurt you. The ball joint does not need to be pressed in, only torqued to the proper value.

Good luck.

Interesting. Thanks. That's one I haven't heard before.

The stabilizer bar bushings are due for replacement, so, because I can do it myself, I'm going to start there. I've visually checked and pushed and pulled the heck out of the ball joints (and the rest of the front suspension). No problems as far as I can tell.

Did you, or has anyone, done the W202 stabilizer bar bushings? Can you walk me through it or offer any pointers?

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

Heh, wow. My '97 C230 is in the shop right now for the exact same thing. I wish I had attempted to replace them myself, could've saved alot of money.
Sorry I can't offer any help, just thought I'd comment on the coincidence.