Rear susp makeover plan - do I need anymore parts?

[pmcgsmurf]

Rest assured there is nothing wrong with my vehicles brakes or my regard for safety. It is my girlfriends vehicle.

In my experience over enthusiastic mechanics/test stations highlight them as MOT issues when the are not. I was told they needed replacement. My local Merc Indy assessed them, cleaned them up and said they were entirely safe.

Ok

 

[MrGreedy]

I went through all this with my 2004 w203 about 5 years ago. Due to the previously mentioned bolt access on one of the arms and needing to drop the subframe. I therefore did the subframe mounts. Also shocks, springs and spring rubber pads/cups/spacers.
Handling at the rear went from twitchy/dangerous under hard acceleration in the damp, to very compliant. Recommend this approach. I ordered the bits from a combination of Merc, ebay, Mister Auto France and Autodoc for best prices. Final bill including labour was about £800 I believe. Had a great garage that knew what they were doing. Bushes were replaced on lower arms rather than new arm.

There's a post on the other forum I've been helping with (I've got the same user name) that helps you find rear shocks at the cheapest possible price for the w203. Try MB Grangemouth for any Merc only parts e.g. springs and rubber spacers, and mention you are a forum member for best price.

 

[Duffy3074]

Nice to see somebody being this thorough
This is on my radar for my W212 albeit I might be tempted to drop the whole rear subframe to simplify access and clean/paint the frame itself
Hope the job goes well

 

[LabourOLove]

Sorry to hijack, but I am planning on replacing the rear suspension arms on mine soon.

Which is the bolt that cannot be removed without dropping the frame?

 

[Petrol Pete]

I think it's 240 . I have a 2006 C55 S203 and have changed pivot bushes on the rear PITA on axle stands . After 145+K miles I have already made the decision to replace pretty much everything that moves on the rear axle, I will be dropping the sub-frame . I simply can not see a sensible way to deal with the rust that is starting to appear under there, the corrosion showing on the brake lines (easier to replace with frame off) and other preventative measures I need to take under there without dropping the sub frame off .

The plan is to do the work myself (once I get my garage cleared) I will have to see what lock down and work commitments bring.

 

[LabourOLove]

I think it's 240 . I have a 2006 C55 S203 and have changed pivot bushes on the rear PITA on axle stands . After 145+K miles I have already made the decision to replace pretty much everything that moves on the rear axle, I will be dropping the sub-frame . I simply can not see a sensible way to deal with the rust that is starting to appear under there, the corrosion showing on the brake lines (easier to replace with frame off) and other preventative measures I need to take under there without dropping the sub frame off .

The plan is to do the work myself (once I get my garage cleared) I will have to see what lock down and work commitments bring.

There are 3 x 240 bolts. Which one are you referring to?

The rear frame on mine is getting fairly brown too. All solid, just very brown!

 

[IanW]

Bolt 240 associated with link 260.
Ian.

 

[BlackC55]

Dont forget the rear roll bar bushes too.

 

[LabourOLove]

Is there enough room to cut the bolt out in pieces then slide a new bolt in from the other side?