The problems I was working to solve that caused me to do the job were the famous 55MPH shimmy/vibration that many others have also mentioned in this forum AND the clunk sound on uneven/rough road surfaces. I believe the sway bar links (cheap and easy to replace) fixed the clunk and the lower control arm bushing replacement addressed the shimmy/vibration. The sway bar bushings may have also helped with this. These "conclusions" are inferred from other posts. Since I replaced everything in one shot I can't be sure.
I also needed new front brakes & rotors as well as shocks. Made sense (to me) to also do the tie rod ends and upper control arms (with upper ball joints) and lower ball joints as long as all was apart.
Car has 172k miles. Rides like new now.

SPECIAL NOTE---- PDF FILE ATTACHED TO ORIGINAL POST NOTES THAT CERTAIN CONNECTIONS SHOULD ONLY BE TIGHTENED WITH WEIGHT OF CAR RESTING ON WHEELS. THIS IS LISTED IN COLUMN FURTHEST TO THE RIGHT AND NOTED AT BOTTOM.

Ken

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2014 E250 Bluetec 4-Matic
2014 GL350 Bluetec 4-Matic
1996 Chevy Tahoe 4 x 4
2009 ML350 (sold)
2005 SLK350 (sold)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel (sold)
1998 ML320 (sold)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel (sold)