w203 Lemforder quality issues

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

mbz124

Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2004
Messages
46
Hi Guys,
Bought all four arms from Eurocarparts for my w203, spent the extra to get Lemforder, 200 miles later, the front bushes are knocking (front silver alloy arms)

Luckily I kept the packaging, Lemforder are now made in Turkey?? I thought they were made in Germany, apparently not. :(

See attached pics and link to youtube showing the knocking sound.

https://youtu.be/33ndYACpLNw

What should I do, stay with Lemforder or get TRW's?

Ideas?:dk:
 

Attachments

  • Lemmie Arms .jpg
    Lemmie Arms .jpg
    66.5 KB · Views: 43
Get MB supplied parts? Have you checked their prices?
 
I don't think the location of the factory has anything to do with it... if it's a Lemforder plant (or manufactured to their specification) then quality should not be an issue.

Firstly, you should attempt to invoke the warranty, though this will obviously cover only the cost of parts but not labour (though presumably you fitted them yourself?).

Then keep in mind that the issue could also be due to other causes, such as incorrect fitting (incorrect torque, or incorrect assembly and torquing sequence e.g. with car under load, etc etc), or another failed suspension component that went undetected and is causing excessive wear on the ballpoint.

I am not familiar with the fitting instructions for your car and I am obviously not suggesting that you did fit them incorrectly, just highlighting the various possible causes.

But I do think that such premature failure of two identical components is unlikely to be a manufacturing defect (unless it is a faulty batch in which case the manufacturer will be aware of it) but more likely the result of a common external factor affecting both components.

Also, perhaps one of the specialist who are also forum sponsor can comment on whether there is a quality issue with Lemforder parts (made in Turkey or otherwise).
 
Also, are you sure it's the balljoint on the new control arm that is knocking? And not the droplinks etc?
 
Last edited:
Anti roll bar bushes?
 
I posted last year about my doubts on Sachs shock absorbers sourced from ECP. It transpired that ECP has the 'sales rights'? to the Sachs name in the UK. Maybe they have extended this arrangement to Lemforder, also being a ZF brand name?

I now get any ZF (Sachs, Boge, Lemforder etc) parts I need direct from Germany.
 
Lemforder is not what they used to be. Same with Monroe.
 
Are you sure its those arms that are knocking?

We use le,forder all the time (every day) and have had no quality issues ever.

They have to be installed when the suspension is loaded too. That is very important.
 
Hi Olly, thanks for the feedback, I did tighten the bolts under load, i will sanity check the I the bolts - what is the recommended NM?
 
Lemforder made in Italy has bad rust coating on their LCA.
Steel will rust within months if not treated with extra waxoil, doesn't matter if it summer or winter season.
Shi-ty steel will rust.

Bought my LCA from ECP.
steel was badly rust damaged within 3 months during summer after install.

Maybe Lemförder made in Germany is the only way to go?
 
Hi, just checked the bolts this evening, they are correctly tightened. On closer inspection the ball joint has no play however the rubber on the bush has a lot of flex that I can twist by hand and reproduce the knocking sound. Conclusion - faulty :-(
 
I also fit a lot of lemforder parts, never had any problems, so if the alloy arm has a faulty bush I assume it has leaked all the oil out to?
 
Some suggestions on other forums that lemforder parts bought from a well known national factor are not always what they seem - best bet is allgerman parts in leeds for the genuine items
 
they should be fine i guess...
 
Were they fitted properly?
Was the rubber bush tightened under load?
If the suspension is at its lowest point and the bush end of the arms are tightened then the rubber bush will tear due to excessive twisting caused when the suspension is at normal height and then compressed.
 
Two things here:

1/ Did you put the marker to the top of the bush? It has a little square notch on it that goes towards the bonnet from underneath the car(12 o'clock)

2/ Did you tighten the bushes when the car was lowered on on its wheels and not before otherwise you'll just shred the bush..

3/ Buy Meyle if after market.. far superior bushing and warranty to boot...

MEYLE automotive spare parts - MEYLE
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom