Late LCAs: OE vs TRW

[E_S]

They were bought in Germany from an online vendor; www.rexbo.eu
Part number JTC1246 and JTC1247. I'll snap a photo one day, but the car is parked outside and it's close to -30C here at the moment, so it might take a couple days.

 

[Lowman]

I have ordered myself a set of aftermarket LCA"s...and if you people would like to be updated on the brand..and how they look and "feel" ...i will post an update here and in my "owners thread" when i get my parts

 

[samiam44]

Honestly,

The bottom cap is a noticeable tail tail sign of differences between the 2 designs. Also, if you opened them like the pictures gsxr has- you can clearly see the non-oem one where the plastic is fingered. My disassemble pictures shows this.

 

[Lowman]

Honestly,

The bottom cap is a noticeable tail tail sign of differences between the 2 designs. Also, if you opened them like the pictures gsxr has- you can clearly see the non-oem one where the plastic is fingered. My disassemble pictures shows this.

was this a reply to my post?

 

[samiam44]

Nope,

E_S posting.

Michael

 

[Cobra]

Re: OWNER - lowman (Norge)

Hi

Just realized that i have bought the early type lower controlarms for my 1995 124.036....but the supplier have the later style ones also.

Dave / gsxr, is it okey if i use your pictures of the controlarms to highlight the differenses to the supplier?

BR
Totte

 

[gsxr]

Re: OWNER - lowman (Norge)

Just realized that i have bought the early type lower controlarms for my 1995 124.036....but the supplier have the later style ones also.

Dave / gsxr, is it okey if i use your pictures of the controlarms to highlight the differenses to the supplier?

Sure, np... should be part numbers in the photos as well. I'd recommend the OE/dealer LCA's for the reasons you see above in samiam's autopsy photos.

 

[Cobra]

Re: OWNER - lowman (Norge)

Thank you, that makes it a lot easier to explain to the supplier.

BR
Totte

 

[Christian_K]

They were bought in Germany from an online vendor; www.rexbo.eu
Part number JTC1246 and JTC1247. I'll snap a photo one day, but the car is parked outside and it's close to -30C here at the moment, so it might take a couple days.

You have pics at hand? Or is it still that cold?

 

[E_S]

Here we go.

It turns out the [TRW aftermarket LCA's sourced from Germany] are kinda in-between - the boot is black soft rubber, not clear plastic, the grease inside is black, but other than that, the joint appears like the "cheap" ones, with the ridge in the middle, no letters and the stamped bottom piece.

Anyway, the OE part is so insanely expensive that even a reasonably priced replacement even at a somewhat lower quality, as long as it doesn't fall apart while driving, is fine with me. The car is driven maybe 10000 km/year, so unlikely the ball joint will wear out within the next ten years..

And yes, the bolt and nut holding the ball joint to the rest of the suspension will be replaced with new. It was just at the moment I had gotten the wrong parts and haven't gotten around to replacing it yet..

 

[Zuffenhausen]

The OEM ones are insanely expensive compared to aftermarket? Even so the consensus is to go with OEM?

 

[clarkz71]

The OEM ones are insanely expensive compared to aftermarket? Even so the consensus is to go with OEM?

Yes, there is no alternative for the longevity of the MB parts

 

[gsxr]

 

[Eno]

If I remember correctly, the MB OE .036 center drag link is made by TRW.


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[Maui]

I just received a set of new TRW from the dealer and they have the clear boot and are stamped TRWE next to the ball joint. I believe they were built in Slovania or something like that.


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[nocfn]

Thats how mine were as well

 

[gsxr]

I just received a set of new TRW from the dealer and they have the clear boot and are stamped TRE next to the ball joint. I believe they were built in Solvania or something like that.

Maui, the pair I received were also made in Slovenia, as were a set I have dated 12+ years ago.

Interestingly, one had a good ball joint boot, and the other had a weirdly deformed boot, identical to what IslandMon received (see post #43 in this thread). Note the light color boot looks screwy, and the dark color boot looks normal. I was annoyed about this but the LCA's and BJ's are otherwise fine, so I'll just replace the funky boot with OE (about ten bucks from MB). If both of yours look normal, that's a bonus.

I'm curious if the LCA's are going NLA, or if production is going to change to a lower-cost factory...

 

[a777fan]

I can also confirm what Maui has shown.

I hit up Tom at MBCC about a month ago and this is what he told me about the availability of the late LCA’s:

“The left lower control arm is on backorder in Germany. There is a lifetime supply of right sides.”

I saw Gerry’s post about the left ones showing available in Parts-be-gone a week or so ago, and hit up Tom again. This showed up today.

Its interesting as it has a clear boot, and appears to be packed with a similar brown grease as the cheap aftermarket arm in Dave’s thorough dissection.

The price was great though! Tom matched mboemparts price of $185, and threw in free shipping (fed-ex 2 day!) i thought these things were massively more expensive than that ...



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[Jlaa]

I bought a pair of these control arms from MB Stateside in Dec 2016 --- they were also made in Slovenia, had "TRWE" on them, and had black boots.

 

[Maui]

The set I purchased about 18 months ago had the black boots. I'd have to go look under the car for more info. I hope these new ones hold up as well as the originals.

 

[mikeym]

On my E320, the control arms went out about a year ago and been running TRW since then. I could have saved some $$ by ordering TRW instead of getting TRW from the dealer and don't think there is any difference.... anyways, one year later, no issues but the car has only been driven 4K kms.

 

[gsxr]

The price was great though! Tom matched mboemparts price of $185, and threw in free shipping (fed-ex 2 day!) i thought these things were massively more expensive than that ...

They were massively more expensive... over $500 list, over $400 from discount dealers. The 50% price drop happened a couple of months ago.

On my E320, the control arms went out about a year ago and been running TRW since then. I could have saved some $$ by ordering TRW instead of getting TRW from the dealer and don't think there is any difference.... anyways, one year later, no issues but the car has only been driven 4K kms.

TRW aftermarket is not the same as OE. If you look closely at your TRW aftermarket LCA's, you'll find there are no TRW casting marks at the ball joint (or, the grease boot) as shown in the photos above. The TRW aftermarket I had appeared to be re-packaged Febi China. Read post #1 in this thread for photos and a video comparing both. The OE ball joint has both TRW markings cast in, and also the grease boot (clear or black) is branded TRW. Aftermarket is not.

 

[Glen]

They were massively more expensive... over $500 list, over $400 from discount dealers. The 50% price drop happened a couple of months ago.

So, are you saying it's time to stock up on a pair?

 

[mikeym]

They were massively more expensive... over $500 list, over $400 from discount dealers. The 50% price drop happened a couple of months ago.



TRW aftermarket is not the same as OE. If you look closely at your TRW aftermarket LCA's, you'll find there are no TRW casting marks at the ball joint (or, the grease boot) as shown in the photos above. The TRW aftermarket I had appeared to be re-packaged Febi China. Read post #1 in this thread for photos and a video comparing both. The OE ball joint has both TRW markings cast in, and also the grease boot (clear or black) is branded TRW. Aftermarket is not.

Interesting, that's good to know. I thought they were the same. Last year, bought a Behr fan clutch from Autohausaz and also from MB dealer and they were exactly the same.

 

[gsxr]

So, are you saying it's time to stock up on a pair?

If you can - yes. I get the impression the left side may already be NLA (or long-term backorder?), again? Might need to call a dealer / MBCC and check current status in Paragon.

Interesting, that's good to know. I thought they were the same. Last year, bought a Behr fan clutch from Autohausaz and also from MB dealer and they were exactly the same.

Be careful with Behr... if they are the OEM for MB, the aftermarket part has a good chance of being equivalent quality, if not identical. However, if Behr is not the OEM, the aftermarket item may be junk. This is what happened with my W210, the OE/OEM fan clutch was Sachs, I bought a Behr for about 1/3 the price and it turned out to be Chinese and was engaged/roaring almost all the time. I ended up removing the Chinese Behr and selling it. Again, this will vary from part to part! The Behr HVAC blower motors/fans in the W124 are still good stuff, OEM, made in Europe.

 

[gerryvz]

On my E320, the control arms went out about a year ago and been running TRW since then. I could have saved some $$ by ordering TRW instead of getting TRW from the dealer and don't think there is any difference.... anyways, one year later, no issues but the car has only been driven 4K kms.

They were massively more expensive... over $500 list, over $400 from discount dealers. The 50% price drop happened a couple of months ago.

TRW aftermarket is not the same as OE. If you look closely at your TRW aftermarket LCA's, you'll find there are no TRW casting marks at the ball joint (or, the grease boot) as shown in the photos above. The TRW aftermarket I had appeared to be re-packaged Febi China. Read post #1 in this thread for photos and a video comparing both. The OE ball joint has both TRW markings cast in, and also the grease boot (clear or black) is branded TRW. Aftermarket is not.

GSXR is correct. There late-model TRW LCAs is one example of a product where the manufacturer/OEM is providing one level/quality of product to MB in their "OE" function, and a lesser level/quality of product to the aftermarket in their "OEM" function selling their own brand (or reboxed as Febi, for example).

Unfortunately for late-LCAs, factory is the way to go. The aftermarket stuff is just not as good, plain and simple. It's been documented.

So, are you saying it's time to stock up on a pair?

As said, MB dropped the prices in February pretty significantly to ~$185 each, discounted through the usual OE parts suspects. There was a "scare" here some weeks ago that said that all of the stock was gone, and the late LCAs were NLA forever.

I disproved this just last week, by going to my MB dealer in Annapolis (who runs www.getmercedesparts.com), and they showed easy availability of the late LCAs in both the US and Germany via MB's Parts-R-Gon locator system. But, it's a good idea to get the LCAs now before the price goes back up, which it most certainly will......

Interesting, that's good to know. I thought they were the same. Last year, bought a Behr fan clutch from Autohausaz and also from MB dealer and they were exactly the same.

Definitely not the same, in terms of the TRW LCAs. Often yes, items like the Behr fan clutches (for certain chassis, but not the E500E, which the OE clutch is a Sachs/Horton clutch), and the SWF flex discs, and supposedly the SWAG M119 timing chain tensioners (reboxed by Febi, both) are the same as the OE MB parts.

 

[gsxr]

I am curious about the supply of left-side LCA's. Someone mentioned that a week or two ago, there were only 6 left available, and I think most or all of those have been sold. If Slovenia is stamping out fresh ones as we type, great.

 

[Glen]

I am curious about the supply of left-side LCA's. Someone mentioned that a week or two ago, there were only 6 left available, and I think most or all of those have been sold. If Slovenia is stamping out fresh ones as we type, great.

Just checked a couple online sources, the left ones are cheaper than the right ones at the moment.

 

[gsxr]

I'm seeing the same price ($250 MSRP) left & right, for standard late LCA's:
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-control-arm-1243303407
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-control-arm-1243303507


Sportline late LCA's are the same price left/right at $410each, MSRP:
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-lower-control-arm-1243303607
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-lower-control-arm-1243303707

These price reductions took effect Feb-1, 2018. See attached PDF file. LCA's above are on page 4.

 

[Glen]

I'm seeing the same price ($250 MSRP) left & right, for standard late LCA's:
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-control-arm-1243303407
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-control-arm-1243303507


Sportline late LCA's are the same price left/right at $410each, MSRP:
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-lower-control-arm-1243303607
https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-lower-control-arm-1243303707

These price reductions took effect Feb-1, 2018. See attached PDF file. LCA's above are on page 4.

Thanks Dave. Do you have Sportline LCA's on any of your cars? How much more NVH is there?

 

[gsxr]

Thanks Dave. Do you have Sportline LCA's on any of your cars? How much more NVH is there?

I do have them on a couple cars, including one 036. They are noticeably firmer, almost feels like poly. In general, I wouldn't recommend them unless you have a distinct preference towards performance vs comfort. If you want to carve corners and improve steering response, while dealing with a little more NVH, go for the Sportlines.

 

[Glen]

I do have them on a couple cars, including one 036. They are noticeably firmer, almost feels like poly. In general, I wouldn't recommend them unless you have a distinct preference towards performance vs comfort. If you want to carve corners and improve steering response, while dealing with a little more NVH, go for the Sportlines.

Thanks Dave. I just ordered a set (non-sportline) that will go into the silver car someday. Hope they don't rot away before I actually need them, LOL.

 

[emerydc8]

Is this a diagram/part number error for the right control arm from Napperville (124 350 01 29)? If it really is $53.28 that would be awesome.

 

[a777fan]

Nope!

I noticed that the other day. The correct PN for the right replaces the -34- for a -35-

Its similarly priced at $185.


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[emerydc8]

I noticed their parts catalogue leaves a lot to be desired. It's definitely a good price compared to a few months ago.

 

[gsxr]

Jon, that is a catalog error. P/N 124-350-01-29 is an old part number for the rear suspension thrust link, long since superceded to a 210- number.

NEVER, ever, trust the online catalogs! Always use the EPC to get part numbers, and enter part numbers directly at your favorite RevolutionParts site (Naperville, Husker, Portland, etc).

 

[DarkStar]

Is there a current EPC available to consumers? I used the old one but I think it was pulled. There was a Russian version as well.

 

[gsxr]

Is there a current EPC available to consumers? I used the old one but I think it was pulled. There was a Russian version as well.

The official one is still available, but no longer free... $75 per year for worldwide data:
https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/coverage.jsp

There are various Russian online EPC's for free, but most have at least some drawbacks, or irritating user experience "features". Links to those are here:
https://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445

 

[gerryvz]

HIGHLY advisable just to spend the $75 and get the annual subscription to the worldwide EPC. Which reminds me, my subscription needs to renew next month....

 

[emerydc8]

Are these the cheap TRW LCAs or the OEM. I just got them from Naperville. It looks like TRW to me.

 

[gerryvz]

Those are the high-quality OE MB “good” TRW LCAs.

 

[emerydc8]

Those are the high-quality OE MB “good” TRW LCAs.

Thanks!

 

[kwontumspeed]

This is interesting because the Late LCAs I just bought from Naperville have "TRWEC" (?) something like that stamped right on the bridge between the ball joint and the arm and also have the translucent boot. I'll attach a pic when I get home tonight.

Edit: Nevermind, No idea how I missed emerydc8's post from this morning...showing the same stampings as mine...duh

 

[gsxr]

Are these the cheap TRW LCAs or the OEM. I just got them from Naperville. It looks like TRW to me.

Jon, those are good, they look like normal OE / Genuine LCA's. Nothing of concern. The aftermarket TRW have no TRW logo cast anywhere, they appear to be repackaged Febi. Very different in every way if you compare them side by side.

kwontum, if you see "TRW" cast on the top near the ball joint boot, those are good. Don't worry about the boot being translucent.

 

[kwontumspeed]

kwontum, if you see "TRW" cast on the top near the ball joint boot, those are good. Don't worry about the boot being translucent.

 

[emerydc8]

Thanks, Dave. My ball joint covers are the translucent (not black like your MB LCA), so I thought maybe my LCAs were the El-cheapo brand. I'll get to use that Miller/Klan spring compressor I bought from you years ago.

 

[gsxr]

The newer OE LCA's have the translucent boot. I think the "black" boot was in production 10+ years ago. I think if you look at the translucent boot you'll see it is TRW branded, which is good. The Febi boots are no-name / unbranded.

EDIT: Looking at the photos, the OE boot which appears black, may actually be transparent... but appears black due to the dark grease inside. The edges of the boot appear translucent. The Febi joint was under-greased and used lighter grease so it didn't get coated with dark stuff inside.

 

[emerydc8]

The newer OE LCA's have the translucent boot. I think the "black" boot was in production 10+ years ago. I think if you look at the translucent boot you'll see it is TRW branded, which is good. The Febi boots are no-name / unbranded.

Yes, my translucent ball joint boots are stamped TRW 032 0002 023 009.

 

[gerryvz]

I am seeing via the normal US MB parts sites that the right-side "late" LCAs for the W124 are showing NLA. This is part number 124 330 35 07. The left ones still seem to be available.

MB Classic in Germany is showing that this part is still available, however.

 

[Melville]

I am seeing via the normal US MB parts sites that the right-side "late" LCAs for the W124 are showing NLA. This is part number 124 330 35 07. The left ones still seem to be available.

MB Classic in Germany is showing that this part is still available, however.

I recently needed LCAs for my 94 wagon and found that information as well, both myself and from the dealership. However, I called Tom Hanson and he said that he saw that there are still a few right side LCAs available but that, because of a glitch, he could not place an order for one. He said that despite the dealership's regular system showing them NLA, there was "another way" for the dealership to order them. I didn't have time to pursue it, and I didn't want to have one "good" MB LCA and one "bad" cheapo LCA so I just bit the bullet and ordered the Sportline LCAs (at more than twice the cost).