I went in for a $159 alignment, when no one would return my call I got worried. I finally drove over to find my car and the service tech informs me that it will cost $1198.00.

They cannot do a correct alignment without new SWAY BAR BUSHINGS and 6-7 hours of labor!

Hopefully its a DIY?

Thanks

I can't imagine anything on the 500E that is that much different from any other 124 car in this area. You did not say which bushings, but I can't imagine replacing all the bushings front and rear being more than one hour.

Either they told you the wrong parts, there is something you misunderstood or they want to rip you off bad.

Try to be more specific.

Have a great day,

Here is how to do the job:
http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/W124_sway_bars/Rear_sway_bar_install.pdf

Also take a look here:
http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/W124_sway_bars/

You can thank Dave known as gsxr on this forum for that info.

__________________
1989 300CE Astralsilber/Schwarz
1992 300CE Schwarz/Schwarz

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at the recommended work and both are bad and steering wheel is not center. Parts#: 124.330.0675, 124.323.47.85,
124.323.51.85.

Alignment Before:

Left Front:
Camber -0.50
Caster 9.26
Toe Pressed -0.03

Right Front:

Camber -1.11
Caster 10.41
Toe Pressed 0.31

Front
Total Toe Pressed 0.28
Steer Ahead -0.04

********************
Alignment Before:

Left Rear:
Camber -2.53
Toe 0.06


Right Rear:
Camber -2.45
Toe-0.02

Rear
Total Toe Pressed 0.04
Thrust Angle 0.04
___________________________

Alignment After:

Left Front:
Camber -1.06
Caster 9.59
Toe Pressed 0.10

Right Front:
Camber -1.17
Caster 10.28
Toe Pressed 0.10

Front
Total Toe Pressed 0.20
Steer Ahead 0.08

********************
Alignment Before:
Left Rear:
Camber -2.54
Toe 0.16


Right Rear:
Camber -2.42
Toe 0.12

Rear
Total Toe Pressed 0.28
Thrust Angle 0.02

This still makes no sense. You could take the sway bars off and throw them away and they won't have any effect on alignment.

Are you sure that it is sway bar bushings? There are other bushings that will indeed effect alignment.

Good luck,

Hi lino, the link above is of great help.
Were did you get that procedure from? repair CD set?

Would you have the same for the throttle butterfly stop adjustement?
I am trying to get that device properly set up, cannot find any procedure.
thanks in advance.

__________________
Keep us posted especially if your problem is solved
Present cars:
My car: E-class 420CDI, 2008, W211, V8, 180 000km

Wife's one: C-class 220CDI Sport Coupé, Euro, 2002, W203. 345 000km

Son's one: GLK class 220CDI, 2009, W204

Sold E class 260E, W124, 1988 beloved car sold after 489 000 kilometres of reliable services (engine M103, clutch and 5 speed manual gear box all original).

E-class, W210 320CDI, 2000[/B], 225 000km, Sold

I just had lower control arm bushings, steering damper and sway bar links repaced at MB less than 1 K out the door including alignment on a S body something does not compute.

Obviously, if you own a Mercedes and a 500E, you can afford it! NOT!

Sway bar bushings can be replaced with your eyes closed. These guys are trying to rip you off. If the car were an S class, I could see the cost given that the sway bar is burried deep inside the car and a real PITA to get to.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Front Sway bar bushing should be easy to change. Less than one hour on the front. I changed it by myself on my 190E. Very easy job!!!

Apparently these do effect the alignment? Anyone have a how to DIY?

I too think something is way off here. 124 swaybar bushings take about an hour to replace, with about $40 worth of 4 rubber bushings?

You (or they) must mean the lower control arm bushings at that price, yes?

__________________
1995 MB E320 Wagon
2001 BMW 530i
2007 MINI Cooper S (!)

Sway bar bushing have nothing to do with alignment. Put both hands on your wallet and run away. Fast!

__________________
Norm in NJ
Next oil change at 230,000miles