Hi all,
I've just finished replacing the control arm suspension bushes (aka front lower wishbone), front lower ball joints and steering damper on my 96k 1998 C280 Estate which I've owned from new (freeing the lower ball joints was a major pain - another story). Both the Haynes and Bentley manuals say I should now have the wheel/chassis/steering alignment checked (and I've seen posts mention this) but I can't see why. Everything goes back together in the same position it was originally, and there's nothing anywhere that can be adjusted (except the steering track rod ends, and they weren't touched other than simply separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle and then re-attaching). The raised shoulders of the big suspension bolts fit in the slots in the mountings snugly. I've driven the car on short runs in town and at highway speed and it handles perfectly with no pull, wander, judder, etc, exactly as it always has. Am I missing something? I know you can get special MB suspension bolts which can adjust camber etc, but why would I need these?
Thanks, John

It's at your discretion. A repair shop has to do it because he has to back up his work. You did your own work and if you thinks it's fine then you don't need it.

Thanks for the speedy response silverteam!
Incidentally, I used OE parts from the local stealership.
I couldn't actually see or feel any wear at all, but was advised to change the bushes and ball joints by my local MB specialist independent at the annual service in Oct. They know I'm keen to keep the car in mint condition and at my request they point out problems at an early stage, so I tend to replace things before they fail. As I usually do the work myself and buy the bits from MB, they have no financial interest to generate work and I trust them (a friend uses them too). The car had already just passed it's MOT (annual extensive safety check) without advisories (suggested work) and the bushes and ball joints seemed ok to me, but I did the replacement anyway.
I'll run the car for a bit (I'm about to do 1000 miles to Scotland and back) and see if there's any sign of tyre wear.
John

Do you "need" to.....no. Should you, YES!

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Why MB Doc? The car drives perfectly as it has from new with no wander, pull, judder. No uneven tyre wear. Never hit a kerb. The bushes and ball joints I took off didn't seem very worn and I used MB OE parts for the refurb. There's a place near here that does 4-wheel alignment using the recommended Hunter system for £88 (around $100) but, being a Scotsman, I'm naturally reluctant to part with the cash while the car's behaving so perfectly. I've owned the car from new and I'm pretty sure the alignment has never been checked over the 11 years and 96k miles. Maybe if I keep and eye on tyre wear and handling and have the check if there's any deterioration?