Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-30-2007, 07:46 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 196
W202 wobbly handling - how long should those control arms bushings last?

hey guys,

I have this 95 C class that handles kind of "drunk" when I change lanes at autobahn minus about 150km/h speeds. it feels as though the bushings on the front and rear control arms are really soft and letting the car "jello" around over the 4 wheels....

how many other C class owners have this sensation with their 1995+ vehicles?? I just find it rather abnormal to have bushings wear to this point in only 12 years.

share your experience? please?



Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-30-2007, 08:14 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,160
At 12 years you've already got double the life expectancy out of them.
That's the price you pay for a nice, cushy ride with rubber suspension components.
I would have everything checked by a qualified garage/technician, so you don't repair anything unnecessary.
__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-30-2007, 09:50 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 196
uggggh that would suck.... thanks for the tip though.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-31-2007, 03:41 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,971
Check your centerlink/drag link/tie-rod ends also.

Mike
__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-01-2007, 07:07 AM
LarryBible
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
The control arm bushings being worn will not cause extremely noticable characteristics as you describe.

It's time to safely raise the car with all four wheels in the air or one end of the car at a time with the wheels on that end in the air. Then practice the four P's; Push, Pull, Pry and Prod on all suspension components until you find the culprit. I would start with the "dogbone" suspension links in the rear. On those, observe the rubber in the ends closely, if the rubber appears torn and pooching out, the link should be replaced.

Also pay particular close attention to all sway bar mounts and links, one of them broken will make it handle like a '64 Impala.

Good luck,
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-01-2007, 01:25 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 128
Could be ball joints or wheel bearings also. Checkout www.club202.com

Control Arm bushings not lasting long is common on W202.
__________________
John


1998 C230 for the wife
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo for me in the summer
1993 Audi 90 for me in the winter
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-01-2007, 02:03 PM
LarryBible
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by White951 View Post
Could be ball joints or wheel bearings also. Checkout www.club202.com

Control Arm bushings not lasting long is common on W202.
Yep, among many other things it certainly could be. That's why you practice the four P's, so you can find the culprit(s.)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-01-2007, 03:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Baton Rouge La
Posts: 2,632
dogbones in the rear and new rear shocks solved my problem on the son's
300e....

we went ahead and did the idler arm and sway bar bushings in the front for good measure...

cheap insurance.
__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-01-2007, 03:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NC
Posts: 1,140
Mine were done under CPO warranty at 70k, 7 years. Vast improvement after that point. I've now been another 70k since then, about 3 years, and they still feel tight. Rubber is very much age and time-sensitive.

__________________
former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:06 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page