97 E420 Sport Bushing/Control Arm Problems

I recently took my 97 E420 Sport to a local allignment shop to have a 4 wheel allignment job done. They technician said that he wasn't able to perform the alignment because one of the control arm bushings on the rear driver side wheel was broken. He showed me how much the wheel wobbled while on the lift. I took my car to the dealer to have it checked out. They told me they couldn't just replace the bushing and the whole arm would need to be replaced! Is this true? Also, the mechanic I talk to told me that the bushings went because of my low profile tires and big rims. But these are the stock AMG 17" rims and stock sized tired. 235/45 17. How can he blame the failure of the bushing on my wheels/tire combo if the car came like that? I was told the arms on both sides need to be replaced. Going to come out to over 700 dollars. But the mechanic told me I could just leave it. Some advice would be much appreciated.

[Ashman]

Well first I would look up the parts in the partsshop fastlane here to see if the price is better, which is almost always better priced than other places.

Second, I would think that the wheels/tires would have not been acause for this as the 17" wheel package was an option on the car from the factory.

The E55 has 17" Wheels from the factory. I would check to see if the control arms from the e55 are different than yours, if they are the same, then I would think the wheels are not a factor. If they are different, you might look into using those ones instead.

I hope that helps you in your fix. If the wheel is wobbly because of it, I would get it fixed.

i'm not a tech, so thats just my opinion.

Alon

I can just tell you about the parts not how it happened. They are telling you the truth about the bushings are not avalible. I just looked them up and they don't show them seperatley. Also in the film the part has been superceded 3 times to a newer number. There is a note in the film also that says up to vin number A743532 only replace in pairs. This means if the last seven of your Vin number is before that A743532 you must replace both of them to the newer style. After A743533 they came updated already. I know this is not what you wanted to hear but if I were you and my car was before that vin I would try to get the dealer to do it under warrranty since you have the earlier version control arms and they know they had a problem by superceding the numbers. Good Luck

[stevebfl]

If you can see the play it is too much!

I suspect that the link that is bad is the cheap one. They are $31 a piece. The other three links are $48, $61, and $65 a piece. They are all relatively easy to replace. All four on both sides would list for 410 if my calculator is functioning.

As to whether 17 inch tires would cause the problem... obviously! The same part is used on the E320 with 16 inch wheels and 215 tires. Its actually the same part that is current number for the 124 body 300E which used 195 tires on 15 inch rims. If you build a car like a race car or drive one like a race car parts don't last as long. The loading changes immensely.

Are they the front control arms or the rear multi links that we are discusing here? I belive he is talking about the front control arms. If they are the rear multi links please ignore my previous post.

I'm talking about the rear multilinks. But my car's vin # is before the # that you posted. But I guess that isn't really applicable since you were talking about the front huh? =)

My car is no longer under warranty. I think the bushing has been bad for a while. Because the steering wheel no longer centers itself as fast as it used to. I thought this was an allignment problem. But apparently not. The mechanic that drove my car around the block before starting the attempted allignment job said the rear-end felt loose. He said the broken bushings were probably the cause.

stevebfl:
Wow, are you serious!? The same parts are used on the 300E? I'm quite disappointed to hear this. Now I have to pay for Mercedes' cost cutting. I would think with a low profile wheel/tire combo. The bushings would take a good beating if they weren't designed for such an application. I'm not affraid to do the work myself it its easy to do. I may try to find the parts on Fastlane and do it myself. I have helped my friend install an aftermarket suspension before. Do you think this would be any different?

Ray

Originally posted by Dr Parts
Are they the front control arms or the rear multi links that we are discusing here? I belive he is talking about the front control arms. If they are the rear multi links please ignore my previous post.

[stevebfl]

Yes, just like the trailing arm rear suspension that preceded it, the same suspention has been used since 1986.

I thought Dr Parts original post was appropriate as most of the rear links have had their numbers change 2 or 3 times. But if you had an 86 300E you would get the same link over the counter a MB parts counter as your 210 chassis.

I'm not sure of the reason for the change in numbers for all the links but the camber link is probably 10 times stronger in its current form than the original. The original was a "U" shaped channel. The replacement has been "boxed" to form a tube. The link I suspect you are needing (the ones at 45 degrees to direction of travel) have had their bushings changed with a larger bolt. These may be straight replacements for your car but need two additional parts to be installed on a 124 body (the bolt and sleeve). This part is only $31 suggested MB list. It obviously would not be cost effective to make replacement bushings for it. By the way the latest # 210 350 33 06 replaces an old # 201 350 56 06. If you know anything about MB part numbers the 201 is significant!

[stevebfl]

I forgot: as I said earlier the replacement is relatively easy. None of the four top links require the spring to be removed. Mostly it is just bolts and a subsequent realignment!

Let me know if you need a picture of the rear links I would be happy to print one and fax to you so you can determine which one exactly you need. I always ask customers to look at it like a clock, you have 9 10 11 and 12 oclock from the way the picture looks in the film.

[J.HIDALGO]

Ok guys,
Since we are on the topic, I just received my (2) new links 210 350 33 06. Is there a left and right or are they both the same? I just asked the same question to partsshop but, since this apply to me...

[stevebfl]

Put the first on one side and the other on the other (bg). Yes, both sides have the same number on this link.

No, thats 11 oclock as I call them, they are both the same left and right

Does mercedes make several different lengths of the fixed camber arms for the w124/w210? I replaced all of mine including the camber arm with German aftermarket parts, only to still have my negative camber problem. The car's rear end tightened up ALOT though, but I still get the tire wear on the inside.


Jason M.

[J.HIDALGO]

Well, I just finished installing my rear links and rear shocks (Bilstein HD). I used a floor jack under the lower control arm to move it up and down to align the holes of the links and the shocks. No problems with the shocks. No major problems with the links. However, the new bolts in the kit have a "torx head" (T-55, I think) and the clearance between the brake rotor, frame and other links is very, very tight. I suggest, make sure you have all the tools necessary for the job BEFORE you handle this job.

[JDUB]

THe part numbers for the 300e and 190e are the same for most of the rear suspension links. Look themup.