Would love to hear the experience of someone that changed the front control arm bushings on this model car. ['95 E300 Diesel]

I was told by two Independent Mercedes Garages, that my car needs to have this work done, and both garages warned me that its going to be a PITA to remove and replace these bushings. Are they right? What are the typical symptoms when these bushings wear out?

Assuming that I will be replacing the front bushings on both sides, (I think there are 4 in total) how long should this job take an Independent garage to do?

Thanks

Phil

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'95 E300 Diesel, 264,000 Miles. [Sold it]

I just changed the ball joints on my 91 300D, I went ahead and got the control arm bushing kits (there are 4 bushings) thinking it might be time to change them at 150K miles. My ball joints were bad but the lower control arm bushings looked to be in great shape and I did not bother to install the new bushings.

From the descriptions in the manual I would say 95% of the work in changing these bushings is the removal of the control arm. Once the arm is out replacing the bushing should be a piece of cake.

A spring compressor is required for this job, having done it once I could remove and replace a control arm in maybe 1.5 hours per side, figure an additional half hour for bushing replacement.

I'm about to change out one of my control arms. It's a 126 mind you, but I've been told by someone who has done theirs recently that they can do one in about 30 minutes.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

I did this on my car (E300D) a couple of months ago. Cost me north of $1500 parts and labor but I had the front control arm bushings and ball joints up front replaced and all of the rear suspension links in the rear replaced. Plus an alignment. In terms of symptoms my car pulled to one side and just didn't ride like it should. I don't know if it was the control arm bushings, worn rear links or a combination of all of the above. With new struts/shocks and bushings all around and an alignment it rides like a new car. These are wear items and need to be done sooner or later IMHO.