Many probably know what I think about big tire packages. Well, I have a friend that don't listen and wants me to fix the problems. He has 20in wheels on a 92 500sel. Arrrrr!!!!

The loading has torn the rear lower control arm bushings. Even the one on a year old brand new control arm replaced for smacking a curb.

On BMWs there are many people who build urethane bushings or otherwise for the same sort of problems. We actually use 750il bushings cut down to the smaller size for a number of models.

Anyway I am seeking a source for modified bushings so he can keep his wheels and not have to replace those soft hydraulic MB ones every 8 months.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

We used to use polygraphite (urethane impregnated with graphite) bushings on some of our street rods. Performance Suspension Technology in New Jersey ( I think). Their tech. guys used to be willing to try to find the oddball mod. for us. The advantage of the polygraphite over the regular polyurethane was... no squeeks! Doubt if they would have a drop in part, but maybe there is a muscle-car near match. For what it's worth.

Edit: found their #. 973-299-8019

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Steve
I could get some made if you sent me one or sent the dimensions of what you need. It would be machined out of the "bushing" material that is used for non-lubricated doctor blades. Some kind of high tech plastic that needs no lubrication and can carry a heckuva load.

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Jim

I was hoping not to have to do the engineering. We took a good look at it and may come up with something. We are looking to do a plastic reinforcement of a new factory bearing.

We will do some mopre on Monday.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Do you have a lathe Steve? I could send some material to try to use and as long as you have a lathe you could try turning it out.

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Jim

kudos to steve on caring enough to do R&D....

a 20 inch wheel...!!! if it were my shop, I'd say to the owner, "let me compliment you - those are some monster wheels my friend!!! and while I'm at it let me welcome you to world of the 20 inch wheel, I'll put you on the shop schedule every 8 months for front end rebuilds!"(no problem)...and that is the life of a 20 inch wheel owner ...'cause a system is only as robust as its weakest link

-fad

We do have a lathe, but we also have a real good relationship with an independent machinist. He probably spends a day a week cutting speedometer gears for us. VDO has discontinued many of the plastic gears used in BMW and Volvo and some late MB units. We have been selling them to other speedo shops.

Not only is he a very talented machinist, most of his work is done for the U of F college of medicine, where he gets some of the neatest materials. You should see the custom rollers he made me for the ramps on my alignment machine. Its a dark grey material that can hardly be scratched with a knife.

I appriciate the offers and advise, our current concept is to partially disassemble the MB bushing (they are hydraulic) and build a plastic insert to fill the cavity built into the original bushing, similar to what BMW does on there improved strut rod bushings.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve,

Did you ever have any success with building these urethane bushings? A couple of us W208/AMG owners are looking into the possibility of having these made....you'd save us an awful lot of trouble if there's already a place to get them.

Follow up....I located a source in California that is selling LCA main bushings for the 202 c-class made in urethane. I've ordered a set and will post feedback. If this works, it could be very good news to 202/208 owners.

According to their website, this polyurethane bushing is also available for the W210 and W140 chassis.

http://www.lpdauto.com/display.asp