CLK500 W209 suspension refresh

[rufus357]

CLK500 2004 (facelift) Elegance
Hi - after some advice please.

I hit a pothole and broke my front spring :-( so obviously I need a new one and just wondering what I should get done at the same time:

- 2 new front springs - do I go OEM? I want a smooth ride but wouldn't mind something a little tighter if it could be done without compromising ride
- MOT Advisory for "front bushes" - can anyone advise which bushes these are likely to be?
- What else should I replace (within reason) for factory fresh ride & handling @ 65k miles
- on all 4 corners the bounce test gives me a little waiver/wobble after the single return. Is this normal or shocks past their best.

Thanks for the advice

 

[horatio]

About a year ago I had to change pretty much the lot on my CLK, it was nearly all knackered so now pointing changing bits here & there

- I would get springs from the dealer - assuming you want to keep it the same height? There are so many different spring types depending on spec etc it's easy to get it wrong. MB Newcastle sell them on ebay slightly cheaper.
- You need to get the car in the air and test everything with a bar, you can't really guess. There are loads of bushes! The ARB's are a bummer as you have to buy a new bar from the dealer.
- Bilstein do shocks which can firm it up a bit although your originals should have loads of life left at 65k unless damaged? I guess if you really want to now is the time because the fronts will be out anyway when changing the springs. Just getting everything ship shape tightened up my CLK massively

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[rufus357]

Thanks Horatio - what did you end up replacing? I know most cars part parts like drop links, ARBs etc that are weakpoints, just wondering what the CLKw209's are.

​

 

[horatio]

All of the arms, ARB & links, gearbox mount, alignment. The front springs are original so that joy is probably soon. I think it's just what to expect with a soft heavy car. My E39 used to eat through suspension parts.

 

[Codger49]

The CLK500 had just about all the front suspension replaced last year - ARB, drop links, bottom control arms, shocks, springs and top mounts.

All new parts were MB and it now drives really well.

 

[rufus357]

Codger - I'm down in Kent too (Cranbrook) who did you use for the work?

 

[Codger49]

Steve Garlick (Stephensons Independent Mercedes Specialist) in Larkfield.

He is a former MB Diagnostic Technician who set up as an independent in 2014 (I think). Not particularly cheap, but he does know his stuff.