My 230,000 mile E320 Wagon still has the original lower control arms. Last alignment, the tech said all was still tight enough but that was about a year ago. I'm in need of a new set of tires--usually I use the new tire event to check for wear on all the suspension parts. I'm pretty sure the control arms will be due. (if my understanding is correct, the ball joint is part of the control arm and can not be replaced separately) Our site sponser has the FEBI brand available for about half the cost of OE. Is the FEBI brand of acceptable quality or should I go with the MB parts? (total cost difference would be about $500)

I'm not sure, but I have seen these control arms advertised as Febi-Bilstein but I'm not sure what that means.

Thanks,

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

If they were good a year ago, I doubt they will be shot by now....

Easiest way to test is to be on the freeway and give her some floor action. If she strays left/right while your foot is down, then something is probably needed to be replaced.
The full rear set both sides is like $400...

Unless you got some straying or tire wear, why change them yet?

PS: That's a nice 124 collection you got there

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Thanks for the reply. It's the front control arms I'm concerned about. I do have some slight edge wear on the tires, I can also feel a bit of a clunk in he front end when driving over bumps at low speeds. From what I understand, the front control arm ball joint typically lasts about 100,000 miles. If that's true, I'm way overdue......

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Yes that is true. As you said, the entire arm must be replaced as the bushings are integrated.

Make sure to buy a "set" with the bolts included because most new arms use a different bolts. I found out when I came to replace mine and the original bolts did not fit.

Just pop off the wheel and inspect the bushings. They should not wobble or look worn.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

The early control arms have replaceable ball-joints, on my 3 '94/'95 cars the ball-joints are not replaceable separately. The early style have a flat bottom to the ball-joint assembly, later ones (the non-replaceable) have an angled-bottom on the ball joint assembly.

Your ball joints are probably still good if the boot is good and there's no creak / no slop. More likely that the bushings are going bad, but replacing the whole assembly is not bad PM. Be sure to check the rear bushings also (including the lower wheel carrier bushing and boots).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have much experience with suspension work. What's the best way to check for wear in the bushings/lower ball joint. I'm assuming it might be a bit difficult to check for slop unless the control arm is "unloaded" Seems to me that the spring would have to be compressed with no weight on the wheel to make a proper pull/twist slop check.......

Any suggestions?

Also, a question for ps2cho: Do you remember the brand of the control arms that did not accept the original bolts?

Thanks for the help so far.

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

I found the bags and all I could see was "Hamburg-Technic" and the 201 part #'s. I believe they are OE. I did some searching and everybody's reviews were very positive on BMW+WV's.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

I'm amazed you've gotten that many miles on those A arms. If they squeak or have any rust near the rubber or the rubber is torn, replace them immediately. Your inner tire wear is probably another indicator and alignment difficulties is another.

I had one outer ball joint snap. Fortunately, it was in a parking lot while making a lock turn. Car came down with fender lip onto tire. Due to MB's structural integrity, the fender didn't bend. Flat bed operator had to use a jack as a dolly for the broken wheel. Interesting to watch.

Febi Bilstein Mahle still made in Germany. Beware if cheep made in China.

I'm amazed you've gotten that many miles on those A arms. If they squeak or have any rust near the rubber or the rubber is torn, replace them immediately. Your inner tire wear is probably another indicator and alignment difficulties is another.

I had one outer ball joint snap. Fortunately, it was in a parking lot while making a lock turn. Car came down with fender lip onto tire. Due to MB's structural integrity, the fender didn't bend. Flat bed operator had to use a jack as a dolly for the broken wheel. Interesting to watch.

Febi Bilstein Mahle still made in Germany. Beware if cheep made in China.

There are 2 Bilstein companies, Febi-Bilstein (parts) and now ThyssenKrupp-Bilstein (of shock absorber fame). They started in the same town in the Rhineland during the steel boom of the 19th century, but I don't know if they were ever part of the same company.
Febi is short for Ferdinand Bilstein.

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Prost!

jack the tire to about 6-8" and pry up on the tire with a long pry bar, jack handle, etc to see if any movement

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1989 300ce smoke silver / brazil, in a constant state of flux ~~~

Update:

New tires installed yesterday--tech could not find any loose suspension parts. He thought maybe wheel bearings needed servicing, but tech could not remove one of the bearing caps. I told them to leave it, I plan to do it myself in the next week or two.

There is a small amount of slop when grasping the tire at 6 and 12, my understanding is that this is most likely a bearing issue.

I'm beginning to think that the clunk I hear/feel when driving over a bump at low speed is due to worn sway bar bushings. They are relatively inexpensive, I'll change them out when I look at the bearings.

Finally, the MB service CD specifies a procedure to check the lower control arm. The procedure revealed that all was still within limits. Hard to believe for a 230,000 mile car, but then again, this car has had a very sheltered life. It was the dealerships MB roadside service vehicle for about 6,000 miles, it was then driven by my mother for several years, mostly highway trips and rarely in rain or snow.........

Thanks again for the posts.

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

I have the 94 E320 Wagon, and the ball joint went on the right front side. I need to order a new control arm, but I am not sure which Febi Bilstein arm is the correct one (and the car is at a garage so I can't see it directly). I didn't know if you ever replaced it but figured I would see if you knew which one it was as there are several listed here:

http://www.*********.com/catalog/1994/mercedes/e320/suspension/control_arm.html

Any help would be greatly appreciated, but for all I know you are still running strong on your originals!

Click on the parts tab at the top of this page, they have the correct one listed.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks!