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"

Very few independant shops do alignments on "newer" MB's properly!
They just don't have the needed equiptment. ON that car & most newer MB's the car doesn't have cams to turn to set the caster/camber. A special bolt kit with off-set washer has to be installed to make a correction.

ON 1996 & later cars they need to check the ride height & PLOT that info into their alignment computer before even starting the alignment...

Most MB dealers aren't going to charge you any more than you were quoted! And as noted the BUSHINGS must be installed at the correct location or they won't dampen properly OR last very long..

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

BS

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

They are probably talking about the thrust bar setting

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Any number of manufacturers require addition of parts for alignment. Installing a cam bolt is common. As is installing hub shims and drilling spot-welds. Some even require grinding out a slot to provide room to adjust. It ain't rocket science.

GM based the alignment specs on their G- and P-chassis by ride height 20 years ago. It ain't rocket science.

Again, this is hardly a new thing. Any number of vehicles require loading the suspension before final tightening of the mounting hardware. Hell, the Ford Focus even has a torque sequence for the lower control arms.

For what it's worth, modern alignment equipment will have special instructions for any vehicle that requires special handling. Including ride-height specs, special equipment or procedures, and special alignment parts required. It ain't rocket science.

However, if a shop says they can't align a Benz, they're telling you the truth. Find a shop where the techs know what they're doing.

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1989 300 SEL that mostly works, but needs TLC

If they can't align it properly, I would'nt trust them to install the bushings properly. They need indexed correctly and can be a pain to install without the press tools. Installing an entire control arm is easy though.

There is a local tire shop that I use. They really know their stuff have been in the same spot for 40+ years and deal with a lot of European cars. They can align W126's and W124's. After that they tell you they can get it close but if you want it done right go to the dealer.

Dealer only charges about $100 vs $60 at indi. Its a MB if the extra $40 is to much you probably shouldn't be driving one.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

After searching some more on the site and learning from others, I am taking the advice that "if they can't align it, they can't do the bushings".


I found a shop, a tire shop, that does a lot of german cars. He knew the issues, assures me he has all the equipment without hesitation. They charge a little more.

He is quoting me $460.00 for the bushing installation, I supply the new bushings, and complete alignment.


Midas was going to replace bushings without alignment for $250.00.

The tire shop charges $120.00 for alignment, so the difference is ~100$. Not too bad for a little piece of mind.


I called Mercedes and they want $800 for the whole thing. they will not put my bushings in.


So all in all, I spend $560.00 including parts and I get new bushings and new alignment. I think that is fair.



I have to admit, the midas shop was honest, not necessarily talented, but honest.



The car now has new front rotors, new tires, new brakes, and soon new bushings and alignment. It should be cherry soon.

I will let you know how it turns out.

PS. I will add the shop to the shop list by state.

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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"

why donnt you just get the alignment done at the dealer for $100 in NJ ?

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Whether you think you can or cannot, Either way you're right!. by Henry Ford.