W209/W203 Rear Track Rods/wheel alignment

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Richteo

Active Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
78
Car
W211 E320cdi 2003/ C218 CLS350cdi 2012
My wife's 53 plate CLK 200 failed its MOT a couple of weeks ago. I've ended up replacing all of the front control arms and ARB drop links - its not yet had a wheel alignment.

The car was originally booked into the garage for an MOT and wheel alignment. The garage also told me the right rear track arm is seized (A2033500353), so I bought a pair of them with the intent to replace them too.

My question is how can you get a tool to the head of the bolt? It is a triple square but there doesn't seem to be enough space to get a socket wrench on as the fuel tank is in the way. WIS just says to remove the ARB drop link and undo!

The other option is to break out the angle grinder but it feels a bit extreme without at least trying to undo the bolt.

Any advice welcome.
 
Thanks for taking the time to answer. To be clear, the head of the bolt is a female triple square and it is on the tank side.

My triple square male bit barely fits in the space available, never mind the socket wrench. The nut side is easily accessible.

I'm using these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006B3NLOW/?tag=amazon0e9db-21.

Perhaps these would be better?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stubby-Impact-Triple-Tamperproof-Sockets/dp/B074QQHC37/ref=sr_1_9?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1518387641&sr=1-9&keywords=m12+triple+square
 
Is the bolt captive? Just requiring a socket on the (easily) accessible nut?
 
Not captive. Here's what the bolt looks like:
00352266701255.jpg


The arm is 420 on this diagram:
8d1a0f34c10e0f5cc8289308c51e508f-480x323.gif
 
There is a similar arrangement on my SLK rear suspension. When I did that I used the type of triple square bit that normally fits into an adapter for use with a socket wrench. Then I simply used a suitable ring spanner to hold the bit rather than the adapter and socket wrench. As you are only needing to stop the bolt turning whilst undoing the nut this worked well for me.

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Out of curiosity why didn't MB use a Torx like all the other fasteners. Talk about making life difficult.
 
There's a thread over on Benz World about these, and they reckon the correct way is to drop the subframe to get to it, which seems a bit drastic I must admit.

Certainly not what you wanted to hear, I only found it as I've been looking for similar with my 190E
 
There is a similar arrangement on my SLK rear suspension. When I did that I used the type of triple square bit that normally fits into an adapter for use with a socket wrench. Then I simply used a suitable ring spanner to hold the bit rather than the adapter and socket wrench. As you are only needing to stop the bolt turning whilst undoing the nut this worked well for me.

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I used something like these

Draper 3/8, 1/2'' Square Drive Ribe Socket And Bit Set 22 piece - 16347 | eBay

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Thanks all for the input and advice. The draper tools in the link above look like they would do the job. Agree with the above - why use triple square just for these bolts? Merc do seem to think its acceptable to drop the sub frame for simple tasks (see W211 rear control arm, rear ARB change with bonded bushes...).

I spoke to the local wheel alignment specialist, and asked if they could swap the arms. They quoted 1 hr a side at a reasonable rate, even though the previous garage said one of them was seized: Car booked in for arms, alignment and MOT on Thursday.

Having replaced all the front suspension on the CLK and sorted out a transmission cooler leak on my E320cdi this side of Christmas I feel I deserve a break! I will update.
 
Any chance that an impact wrench could get the nut off without having to put anything on the bolt? - It the only other way I can think you'd do it.

I guess if the wheel alignment place can do it, they might be able to let you know how?
 
Any chance that an impact wrench could get the nut off without having to put anything on the bolt? - It the only other way I can think you'd do it.

I guess if the wheel alignment place can do it, they might be able to let you know how?
Thinking again about my suggestion above. If space is that tight us there room to get the bolt out if/when you do get it undone?


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Just to close this out the car is now back on the road with the new arms fitted. Just needed a shorter bit as some had helpfully linked to. There is enough room to remove the bolt, just not enough to use the bits I have, linked below - link in previous post dead for some reason.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006B3NLOW/?tag=amazon0e9db-21
 
Not captive. Here's what the bolt looks like:
00352266701255.jpg


The arm is 420 on this diagram:
8d1a0f34c10e0f5cc8289308c51e508f-480x323.gif

Hi all

I need both sides arm ref no. 420 in the pic above. Can anyone help with the MB part No. for my 2006 C320 CDI saloon Avantgarde without sports suspension, pse?

I've tried searching on www but all the items I've found look from the minute photos as if they have a built in adjuster (like a front steering rack tie rod end) which mine doesn't have.
 
Also not clear as to whether the bolt is splined and needs a triple square or Ribe bit. Also what size bit?
 
And sorry, I can't remember what size the triple square bit size is.
 

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