My front wheel was wobbling a bit on my wife's car. (94 C280 172k miles). It turns out that both of the front bushings are worn and cracked.

The guy at Midas, says that the only part he can get is the whole control arm, and he recommended I look for the bushings my self, because he did not want to charge me for all of it.

I found the bushings for about 50$ online. no biggie. he said he would install them for 245$ total. not bad really. he is an honest guy and does a good job.

But he did say that the alignment has to be done at mercedes because they put weights in the car to simulate passengers, so that the alignment is right when it is actually being used, not empty. (the wheels spread a little with weight in thew car)

He says he can do the alignment, but not the mercedes recommeded way.

Is he right, or is this just a marketing gag?


Can standard alignment shops align mercedes?


as always your help is greatly appreciated.

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1977 280 E
1994 C280
1992 190E (sold)

"Jump in the hatch and turn on the key, pop in the clutch and let the wheels roll free"

What makes you think they can change the bushing. Even if the Midas guy is a nice guy...My suggestion call an MB independant mechanic to change the bushings and he can suggest a place to do the aligment. DO NOT go to the stealership!

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J.H.
'86 300E

he said he could change the bushing. It does look a little tricky.

are there any special tools?

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1977 280 E
1994 C280
1992 190E (sold)

"Jump in the hatch and turn on the key, pop in the clutch and let the wheels roll free"

I believe control arm bushings have been covered a few times before. Do a search, and you will probably find a few threads advising you to make sure they are oriented properly when installed. -Ali

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

If they are a decent shop they should have no trouble with the LCA bushings OR the alignment. I've never heard of them weighting an MB at the dealer, but I have heard of them using a spreader bar to get more correct settings on the front.

Good luck,

He showed me on the alignment station computer that the only extra instruction for my model is for the "front spreader bar". no mention of weights.


I will do a search and find the threads. Thanks Larry.


I will also call MB and ask how much they chareg for the job just for info.

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1977 280 E
1994 C280
1992 190E (sold)

"Jump in the hatch and turn on the key, pop in the clutch and let the wheels roll free"

They are probably talking about the thrust bar setting

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BS

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
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