Rear Suspension Overhaul W203

[tcb180]

Started off a few weeks ago with a slight squeak on o/s/r suspension. Now it is an awful creaking noise at the slightest movement of the car. I have checked all four arms for wear in bushes etc and they look ok.

I feel that my problem lies with either the inboard or outboard bushes at either end of the bottom plate / wishbone.

It is my intention to renew all four arms at the same time but I have one or two concerns.

1) Will the upper front arm front bolt come out without having to drop the sub frame slightly? It looks as though it won't . Without fouling the underside.

2) I am worried that the bushes in the bottom plate will cause me great grief to renew. I have seen an online video of a specialist tool being used to withdraw and refit the outer bush in the hub all in one operation.
But as far as I can see, the inner one on the suspension plate needs to be pressed out.

I am capable of doing the work myself,but not fussy about taking the whole hub assembly off. I just need to gain some assistance in the way of help and guidance with the above two areas of concern.

Like anyone who has made such a tool or bought / hired one etc.

Views and past experiences welcome.

 

[miro]

Your first step would be to discuss the common issues with someone who does this for a living. Most people will talk to you for 5 minutes.

Rubber bushes are not tough to do but the tool for it isnt cheap.

 

[pangster]

Started off a few weeks ago with a slight squeak on o/s/r suspension. Now it is an awful creaking noise at the slightest movement of the car. I have checked all four arms for wear in bushes etc and they look ok.

I feel that my problem lies with either the inboard or outboard bushes at either end of the bottom plate / wishbone.

It is my intention to renew all four arms at the same time but I have one or two concerns.

1) Will the upper front arm front bolt come out without having to drop the sub frame slightly? It looks as though it won't . Without fouling the underside.

2) I am worried that the bushes in the bottom plate will cause me great grief to renew. I have seen an online video of a specialist tool being used to withdraw and refit the outer bush in the hub all in one operation.
But as far as I can see, the inner one on the suspension plate needs to be pressed out.

I am capable of doing the work myself,but not fussy about taking the whole hub assembly off. I just need to gain some assistance in the way of help and guidance with the above two areas of concern.

Like anyone who has made such a tool or bought / hired one etc.

Views and past experiences welcome.

do you have a link to the video or a part number for the tool required??

 

[pangster]

given there was no replies on here.. I ended up finding out myself when I ordered the tool yesterday! - so to help anyone else in future! - the part number for the tool is: w202 589 00 43 00.

 

[Stratman]

This link has an aftermarket tool which they say is half the price of the Mercedes version, and works just as well.

 

[pangster]

This link has an aftermarket tool which they say is half the price of the Mercedes version, and works just as well.

the official mercedes benz one was only £84.76.. which I thought was pretty reasonable.. I had read threads on various forums saying it was around £200 or £250!! not sure if this was based on fact or guestimation.. either way - once mine are done I'll be selling it on eBay to recover some of the cost - so in real terms its a worthwhile investment..

 

[Mistreku]

Started off a few weeks ago with a slight squeak on o/s/r suspension. Now it is an awful creaking noise at the slightest movement of the car. I have checked all four arms for wear in bushes etc and they look ok

Hello mate,

The noise could very well be coming from the rear shocks. I haven't replaced them on my car, but I wouldn't imagine it to be too much of a headache. I would replace those first, before tearing the whole rear end down.

@Pangster: your name looks very familiar, did you drive a Z3 a while ago, by any chance?

 

[Lyserman]

@Pangster:
I have PM'd you about purchasing the tool when you have finished.
Did you receive it?

Tony

 

[pangster]

@Pangster: your name looks very familiar, did you drive a Z3 a while ago, by any chance?

I did: JOURNAL: 1998 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster

@Pangster:
I have PM'd you about purchasing the tool when you have finished.
Did you receive it?

Tony

Have done Tony and replied!

 

[Mistreku]

Heh, small world! Nice to "see" you again, mate! You helped me with some advice on my bimmer a couple of times!

 

[pangster]

Heh, small world! Nice to "see" you again, mate! You helped me with some advice on my bimmer a couple of times!

thought your name looked familiar!! Glad I managed to help!!

We got rid of our BMW's (Z3 and E36 3 Series Compact) in favour of more family friendly transportation due to the arrival of my son (I went for an Audi A3 1.8T Sport and the wife went for a Merc C200K Avantgarde SE). I had almost ZERO problems with my A3 in the two and a half years or so I had it (recently sold it) and have went back to the BMW fold (2013 116D M Sport) and my wife's Merc has been nothing short of a money pit!! - more problems than any other car we've ever had!! Despite it being a mint, low mileage (56k), 2 previous owner, FSH example!! - there are so many weak spots and common issues on these cars it's a joke! Think we'll probably just run it into the ground and then kill it and put it out it's misery! LOL!

Definitely not up to the build quality or standards of BMW - but this was at a time Merc's purse strings were being pulled by the Yanks. I think the older cars and the newer stuff is a lot better - but this experience has put us off for life. I almost bought a new A Class Sport - but went for the 1 Series instead due to the problems we had with the wife's car.

 

[Mistreku]

I know, I was a bit let down as well about the build quality occasionally. However, my CLK has done 140k miles, so I can't expect too much of it. The dynamics also, handling wise, this car has nothing on my old 325, that thing gripped like a squirrel on amphetamines (albeit, sport suspension and 18"s). The being said, I love the comfort the MB provides, this is definitely a cruiser, not a racer. And also love the looks of it, I think it's just spot on. Pro's and con's, I guess.