Hi everybody
After a complete rear end rebuild as well as new front shocks and shock mounts I took the car to the dealership to perform a 4-wheel alignement. They called me to tell they need to replace both tie rods in the front to do the alignement (500$). I agreed. After another day they called again. Now they tell me about a frozen bolt of the right control arm. They recommend to replace both control arms (1300$).
That's a lot of money! Now I wonder how to proceed. I may tell them to do just a rear end alignement, and do the control arms myself, later. But the car will not run straight they say. Also I do not have a spring compressor, nor power tools nor a lift.
What would you do?
Any input is welcome!
Regards, Bruno

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300TE 1992 137'000 miles

So, they want $ 800.00 to install 2 of these:http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=mercedesshop&cookieid=1DX1F3P871EG149BNR&baseurl=http://catalog2.mercedesshop.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1992&product=L2000-30918&application=000221182

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Take the car out of the dealership, get underneath the car and evaluate and LEARN with a flashlight, and locate a GOOD independent shop in your area. Frozen bolts are childs play for good mechanocs with a can of PB Blast. The tie rod and control arm job quotes you have are, I think, top dollar quotes even for an expensive area. Your instincts are likely right. Also, tell the dealer to be certain to return the car in EXACTLY the same condition as it arrived at the dealorship-- sound smat, authoratitive, and confident on the phone.

I sure wish a lot of you folks lived closer to our shop. I could save you a LOT of money, make a good living for myself, and everyone would be happy. Darn.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I think you have a couple choices - get rid of the car, or find a new shop. A 300TE is not going to be economically viable transportation at that shop.

Where is your shop located?

Hello everybody
Thanks for all the replies! I am going to take the car out of the shop, and I will replace the control arms myself. They cost 420$, plus I need to rent a spring compressor. We did the whole rear end (subframe bushings, diff mounts, all links) so we should be able to install two control arms. I signed for an alignment, and I agreed on the tie rods, I probably have to pay something, even though they did not manage to do the alignment. The shop is Chambers in Boston, MA.
Regards, Bruno

PS: I f anyone reading this post is willing to rent his Klann spring compressor to me, I'd be happy to accept his conditions (deposit etc.).

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1992 300TE 137'000

I've had mixed results with Chambers and thats just for parts. They would not sell me an oil filter tool or the climate control removal tool for my e320. I was able to get them without any hassle from Flagship in Lynnfield even though they are owned by chambers. If you are on the north shore give Star in topsfield or Greg @ paramount in N. Reading a call. They will set you straight.

Foreign Motors West in Natick (since that is being used as a yardstick of cooperation). They are pretty honest and do make an attempt to fix broken or stuck parts without just replacing everything with new. I believe they will sell you any MB tool or part. Having said that, they are losing touch with the older benzes, and I now take my car to Hatch & Sons. I would never consider Chambers - that place is a rip off. The parts desk at Westwood/Clair off Rte 1 has better hours - they are open until 6 pm and all day on Saturday, FMW closes their parts desk at 1 pm.

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Chip Johnson

We are located about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pa.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

If you live in Boston, take your car to Carmine at European Car Doctors. He's in Kenmore behined the Boston Beer Works (connected to the big Fenway parking lot). $80 per hour labor rate and he as honest as they come. He's actually refused to do work that I've requested and then told me why it would be wasting my money. Mainly Mercedes but he'll work on anything German. 617 262-5525.

PJG56,
This came from an old thread:
I am in Penn Hills (east of Pittsburgh [Go Steelers!]) and have used 3 Indys in three years. I have not been dissatisfied in particular with any of them, but I'm always open to suggestions. Who is your pick?

Marty

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-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

Are you sure that you need to replace the control arms? In my experience, they only need replacement if they are damaged, like in an accident. The "frozen bolt" story sounds very suspect.
My bet is that when you agreed to the $500 tie rods, the sharks at the dealership started to smell blood and decided to go on a feeding frenzy.

Thanks everyone for his comments!
I got the car back. I had to pay for the alignment (200$) plus the tie rods (300$) - it has not been aligned though. The control arms would have been another 1300-1400$, I saved that one. Now I will carefully check what needs replacement (maybe only a new bolt?). I do not know whether they were dishonest. They are probably just used to new cars and rich customers (both is not true in my case:-). Their policy seems to replace parts instead of reparing them.

What do you mean that you had to pay for alignment $200 but the car is not aligned? Did they charge you but not do the work? Typical Chambers. How do you think Herb afforded that 200 foot mega-yacht that's featured in all the magazines...