W211 suspension repairs degree of difficulty?

[cd1974uk]

Hi all,

After just over 6 months of ownership of my 56 plate E320 CDI, I am getting to know the car and its foibles. There are a few creaks and rattles on the suspension of the car, which have been checked out by an indie and have been identified as follows. Basically I am looking at a bill of around £450 - £500 including parts and labour. Being a bit of a tight **** and a fairly confident spanner wrencher, I am looking at doing the work myself but using genuine parts.

The issues are but not limited to:

1. Broken rear offside spring, last 2 inches snapped off and rattling around in the wishbone. Looking at buying 2 rear springs from Mercedes at around £58 each. Also looking to buy or borrow a telescopic spring compressor to do the job. Is the Laser 4870 any good?
2. Nearside castor bush gone (slotted one at the bottom of the lower wishbone I think). This is creating a creaking noise when stepping on the brakes or turning at low speed. Can these easily be pressed out on the car? Can the tracking or suspension setup be ruined if put back wrong? Was planning on marking it before changing
3. Nearside bush on the end of the anti roll bar gone, could be contributing to the creaking, certainly clunking on uneven surfaces at low speeds. Would change as a pair, these look straight forward enough.

Any help or advice welcome, the most urgent job is the rear spring so the loan of a spring compressor in the North Wales area would be great.

Regards

Chris.

 

[boblydon]

Not to bad of a job, but without access to the right tools and a hydraulic press very awkward, as i remember the spring is a pig to get out without a narrow spring compressor.

To be honest give the garage the grief and they can re check the alignment.

Bob

 

[cd1974uk]

Hi there,

I wouldn't do the rear spring without the spring compressor according to what I've read on the forums. Could you recommend a suitable one for me, I'm leaning towards a laser 4870.

I do have access to a hydraulic press, does the arm really need to be removed off the car to change the castor bush?

Regards

Chris