Well, I’m sure most of you know that the weather in the northeast has not been pleasant. The other day I had a decision to make. A collision with a car that was spinning out of control or the curb. I picked the curb. Now my 2002 C230 is left with a bent control arm and tie rod. I am fairly mechanical and I have no problem replacing these parts. I just need some information on how to do it. That would be, what is involved and are there any special tools required. I know once I am done I need an alignment. Also, I had the car on a lift, and everything else looks good. Your help is appreciated. I hope to hear from some of you soon. And take some advice; don’t be driving around in a 2002 C230 with summer tires in the snow. Regards, John

John:

You will need a spring compressor to remove the spring, and it will have to be a very high quality internal type. Coil springs are VERY dangerous compressed -- if you 've not done this before, get someone who has to help. You CAN kill yourself with one that jumps out!

KLANN make a very good one, but you won't want to buy it just for the job, costs as much as having it done.

I would also have a body shop check the frame, it's possible that it will need to be straightened on a unibody rack to allow proper alighment.

I'd also replace the shock, too -- it's probably bent.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Well, it wasn't what I wanted to hear, but thanks. I still think it was better than having a collision. As of now, I am able to drive the car. I took it to a local shop yesterday, and they tried to correct it as best as they could. However, they did not really inspect all of the other parts. I took a good look at it, and I did not see any other damage. It was a low speed slide into the curb. I thought I avoided doing any damage to the components. I only saw the rash on the rim. Then when I drove it, I realized that the steering wheel was turned half way while the car was traveling straight. I am taking it to a Benz repair shop tomorrow to get the full list of damages. I am trying to avoide filing a claim since my insurance will increase far beyond the damage that is done. Sometmes I can't understand why I have insurance. I wind up paying for the damage anyway. The only difference is I get to pay it on a payment plan. I just don't want to get dropped, especially after getting a speeding ticket for 121 this summer. I'm sure my insurance will not appreciate the two incidents within a few months. Again thanks for the help. If anyone else can tell me what to look for as far as other damage, I would appreciate the help.

Happy snow removal to the people in the north,
John

Peter,
I took a closer look at the damage, and I can't figure out why I would have to remove the spring. Why would I not be able to disconnect the part without removing anything else. Forgive my ignorance, most of my work is on American cars that are ten plus years.

John

"...especially after getting a speeding ticket for 121 this summer."

Am I reading that wrong or is it a typo? You got a speeding ticket for 121? as in ...mph?

KenP

121 in Maryland! The ticket came with a half hour lecture. The only thing that really saved me was I was in law enforcement for five years. Therefore, he just gave me the one ticket. He did mention reckless, aggressive, and a few others. The ticket cost me close to 500. It was fun, and that car feels rock solid at that speed. In short, I made it from Melbourne, Florida to Bergen County, New Jersey in 13.5 hours, and that was with the lecture.

John

John:

MB uses fairly soft springs rather strongly compressed. The result is that the spring for the front suspension is about four inches longer that the space with the control arm hanging down, and it won't come out (except sideways at high speed) unless you have a spring compressor to "shrink" it down. You cannot safely use a jack under the control arm or just drop the suspension like a Chevy, the spring is much too long.

A new control arm is going to cost considerably more than the shop time to put it in, sadly.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I was given a price of 190. Does that sound about right? In away, I am impressed because all the components that bent seem to absorb the shock and thus not damage the more expensive stuff. I took the wheel off today, and I was surprised to see how well everything else held up. Although the body shop will be the final judge of that. Again thanks for the assistance.

John