W203 320

[Petrol Pete]

Getting ahead of things markjay , OP has yet to determine what is causing the knock. I agree pressing the bushes out and replacing the ball joints on control arms is rarely cost effective.

 

[irishjas]

Replacing bushes in control arms and drop links is false economy.

Don't forget you'll have to pay more for labour due to the need to use a press.

Then, you'll have to pay for labour again when the bush/ball joint at the other end needs replacing....

Simply replacing the whole unit is much quicker, and in the long run, cheaper.

Yep, im thinking of just replacing the lot if its something i can do myself to save on labour costs. Going to look further into it. Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated

 

[markjay]

Yep, im thinking of just replacing the lot if its something i can do myself to save on labour costs. Going to look further into it. Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated

The bushes require a press, replacing the entire arm only requires a ball joint separator.

And you'll need to get the wheel alignment done after the job is finished.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Why would you need alignment after doing an arb and drop links?

 

[markjay]

Why would you need alignment after doing an arb and drop links?

You'll need wheel alignment if replacing the control arms that have the hydrobushes.

 

[ALFAitalia]

True...I thought you meant just the anti roll bar and drop links.... which wouldn't.

 

[markjay]

True...I thought you meant just the anti roll bar and drop links.... which wouldn't.

The OP mentioned bushes with dust caps on either side... that must be the hydrobushes in the control arm.

 

[irishjas]

The bushes require a press, replacing the entire arm only requires a ball joint separator.

And you'll need to get the wheel alignment done after the job is finished.

Found an arb with bushes £97 but mb Newcastle quoting £95 for drop links? Sounds excessive for 2 drops??

 

[BlackC55]

A bit odd this , if it had 'just' had an MOT the tester would have had it on the 4 poster for a shake/wobble test which should have picked up any wear in the steering/bushing/links on the front axle.

You would have thought so. So may times I have seen the MOT test miss play in joints.

 

[ALFAitalia]

The MOT test just says "excessive play" when it comes to ball joints etc......I replace any of mine when there is any play at all. Excessive can mean different things to different testers hence why you will get a pass from one and a fail from another (I was proper strict when I tested cars......!!!) and the manual does not give an amount of play that's OK....it does on pins/shafts passing through bushes....but to me even they are pretty high.....

Wear is excessive if play is more than:

• 2mm for a 12mm diameter pin
• 3mm for a 25mm diameter pin
• 10% of the pin diameter for pins over 25mm diameter.

 

[irishjas]

The MOT test just says "excessive play" when it comes to ball joints etc......I replace any of mine when there is any play at all. Excessive can mean different things to different testers hence why you will get a pass from one and a fail from another (I was proper strict when I tested cars......!!!) and the manual does not give an amount of play that's OK....it does on pins/shafts passing through bushes....but to me even they are pretty high.....

Wear is excessive if play is more than:

• 2mm for a 12mm diameter pin
• 3mm for a 25mm diameter pin
• 10% of the pin diameter for pins over 25mm diameter.

So im torn, pay 95 for genuine or go for other brand options? Bearing in mind i only do 2.5k miles a yr at most

 

[Petrol Pete]

So im torn, pay 95 for genuine or go for other brand options? Bearing in mind i only do 2.5k miles a yr at most

You don't have to go direct to Mb if you don't want to , but if you choose not to always try to buy Lemforder parts in this area as they are (mostly) OEM for Mercedes.

 

[irishjas]

You don't have to go direct to Mb if you don't want to , but if you choose not to always try to buy Lemforder parts in this area as they are (mostly) OEM for Mercedes.

So ive found lemforder ones for less than 50 the pair at euro parts. Is it essential the vin no matches? Is ot safe to go off the car reg? So many different numbers, part etc

 

[Trickythemerc]

I have purchased lots of Lemforder suspension parts on the reg number from Autodoc and had no problems. I just have to look for with or without sports suspension to be sure of correct parts.

 

[irishjas]

I have purchased lots of Lemforder suspension parts on the reg number from Autodoc and had no problems. I just have to look for with or without sports suspension to be sure of correct parts.

Ok, so next question lol. How do i know if its got sports suspension or not? Mines an Avantgarde

 

[Trickythemerc]

Do you have a Data Card for the car ? That would show all the factory build options. I am not sure if Avantgarde was just a trim option or if it included sports suspension.

 

[irishjas]

Do you have a Data Card for the car ? That would show all the factory build options. I am not sure if Avantgarde was just a trim option or if it included sports suspension.

Don't know what a data card is?
Is it something I can get hold of?