400E suspension refresh questions

[Quick4door]

92 400e, already on Eibach springs and Bilsteins with new upper shock bushings and motor mounts. I’m going to be refreshing the suspension some and had some questions.

Front control arms- any difference in 500e control arms? If there is a higher density bushing id like to do that. Ill be doing front sway bar bushingscontrol arms.

Rear suspension- all of it is original. is it worth just buying a full kit from fcp euro or similar? I have aftermarket rear camber arms so i wouldn’t need those. Will be doing sway bar bushings and end links, and all control arms.

I would also entertain putting in aftermarket poly bushings in certain applications but I’m not familiar with any companies that sell them.
Let me know what your opinions are!

 

[gsxr]

All years of 400E/E420 use the late-style front control arms, which are only used on very late build 500E and all E500. OE Genuine are the only good ones available, and yes there is a Sportline version available with stiffer bushings, but they ain't cheap... 124-330-36-07 and 124-330-37-07, around $350 and $380 each respectively from Naperville. But they should last another 3 decades if you don't have fluid leaks degrading the rubber bushings.

Rear suspension - if the 5 links have good bushings, most likely it needs the wheel carrier lower support joints - search the forum for details. Otherwise the best bang for your buck would be new subframe-to-body mounts, but this requires either special tools, or getting creative fabricating stuff.

Unless you are hitting the racetrack on a regular basis, forget poly. And whatever you do, avoid off-brand parts like Meyle or Febi. Click here for a list.

 

[Quick4door]

All years of 400E/E420 use the late-style front control arms, which are only used on very late build 500E and all E500. OE Genuine are the only good ones available, and yes there is a Sportline version available with stiffer bushings, but they ain't cheap... 124-330-36-07 and 124-330-37-07, around $350 and $380 each respectively from Naperville. But they should last another 3 decades if you don't have fluid leaks degrading the rubber bushings.

Rear suspension - if the 5 links have good bushings, most likely it needs the wheel carrier lower support joints - search the forum for details. Otherwise the best bang for your buck would be new subframe-to-body mounts, but this requires either special tools, or getting creative fabricating stuff.

Unless you are hitting the racetrack on a regular basis, forget poly. And whatever you do, avoid off-brand parts like Meyle or Febi. Click here for a list.

Thank you! I’ll look into the sportline bushings. I invest in this car. It’s been good to me and I maintain it well. No car payment means I spend money on good parts when I breaks.

I changed the lower wheel carrier supports when I got the car. Had a special press adapter made to do it. Was pretty simple once I had that.

the bushings are ok, but it’s all old and dry. I plan on keeping this car a long time so getting new arms to refresh is appealing. Subframe bushings are planned for the fall, I’ll be pulling both subframes at the same time to install.

I don’t track the car but I enjoy a tidy chassis. I like to drive spiritedly andI feel like this car has the ability to be sporty. I’m drawing up plans to make my own strut mount braces and a couple of small chassis braces. The roads around here inhibit cowl shake and I want to lower the twist as best I can.

 

[gerryvz]

You really need to search the forum for the answers to your questions, as there NUMEROUS thread on these very topics, where people have asked these very questions -- front control arm variations, rear suspension refresh/replacement, and poly/urethane bushings instead of factory rubber bushings.

 

[gsxr]

Thank you! I’ll look into the sportline bushings.

To clarify, the part numbers I posted are for complete LCA's. The bushing kit is sold separately, but isn't cheap at $200 MSRP / $150 discount, per side. Since your ball joints are non-replaceable, if they are tight and the boot isn't compromised, you could install new Sportline bushings and a new BJ grease boot. This assumes no rust on the existing LCA. If the BJ has any play, you need to replace the entire LCA.

 

[Quick4door]

You really need to search the forum for the answers to your questions, as there NUMEROUS thread on these very topics, where people have asked these very questions -- front control arm variations, rear suspension refresh/replacement, and poly/urethane bushings instead of factory rubber bushings.

Thanks for making me feel welcome!

 

[Quick4door]

To clarify, the part numbers I posted are for complete LCA's. The bushing kit is sold separately, but isn't cheap at $200 MSRP / $150 discount, per side. Since your ball joints are non-replaceable, if they are tight and the boot isn't compromised, you could install new Sportline bushings and a new BJ grease boot. This assumes no rust on the existing LCA. If the BJ has any play, you need to replace the entire LCA.

Thanks for the complete answer! Really appreciate all the info.

 

[gerryvz]

Thanks for making me feel welcome!

Thanks for wasting the forum's time with redundant questions, Friend!

Let me spend precious time out of my work-day, so I can do your work for you, so that your questions are answered from answers that people have already supplied over the years. Despite this site using Elasticsearch, the very best & highest performance search engine available anywhere.

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[Quick4door]

Thanks for wasting the forum's time with redundant questions, Friend!

Let me spend precious time out of my work-day, so I can do your work for you, so that your questions are answered from answers that people have already supplied over the years. Despite this site using Elasticsearch, the very best & highest performance search engine available anywhere.

Front suspension control arms (10 posts should get you started):

Control the fate of the lower control arm | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

This could be controvertial but I do it anyway. Of four E320's 1994-5 I have, I have to deal with the torn rubber boots of all of them. Remove the tire, and check the rubber boot condition over the ball joint of the lower control arm, most likely, they are torn. Once they are torn, dust can...

www.500eboard.co

Front and Rear suspension bushing replacements | Maintenance Documents

Hi All: It's time to get rid of the squeaks and other suspension/body noises that have been getting louder and more noticeable. As the car is now 25 years old I'm sure that it Is time to do a complete replacement. Is there a list of all the front and rear bushings - perhaps a kit for front and...

www.500eboard.co

Autohaus AZ Front LCA, Febi | Parts for Sale

I'm in the process of refreshing my suspension. I was thinking that while I was at it, i would upgrade my front LCAs to the later style ones in case I decide on a brake upgrade. I was about to order the suspension bits from parts.com but decided to check their pricing of Autohaus AZ. The price...

www.500eboard.co

Front Suspension Parts for refurb project | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

I am considering refurbishing my front suspension after 172k miles on what appears to be mostly original parts. I can edit my list as I get feedback to help others down the road. 1994 E500 QtyPart NumberDesc Struts & mounts 21243205030damper strut21249900199damper HW kit21243230644bump...

www.500eboard.co

Front lower control arm torque settings? | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

Hi All, I have been trying to search through previous posts both here and the internet and no joy. I'm the proud owber of some new front control arms. If anyone is in a similar position in England, I can mention the best place to buy them from was Sitescape Mercedes Benz in Liverpool who gave...

www.500eboard.co

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I just got a set of lower control arms from AutohausAZ. The sticker says they were made in Spain, but the bottom of the control arms are stamped Febi Germany. I read that Febi is sometimes hit or miss as far as quality. Anyone have an experience with Febi control arms?

www.500eboard.co

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hey people Im wondering about if the 500e has model specific rear control arms? camber links,caster links and so on?are these the same as the other "standard" w124"s.? and front arms..are they model spesific for the 500e?

www.500eboard.co

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Would anyone have pictures they could post of both early and late style front lower control arms? Thanks in advance. drew

www.500eboard.co

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www.500eboard.co

Suspension overhaul recommendations | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

Car is 92 500e with 135k miles, AMG monoblock II 18/275, modified exhaust (forget exactly, but definitely muffler and oversized pipes). Suspension has clunk/thuk from both front and rear (?). Having it assessed by shop now. I know that the shocks (front?) have been leaking for some time...

www.500eboard.co

Rear suspension (10 posts = good starting point?):

400E rear suspension help | 400E / E420 Discussions

Hi, New forum member here. I am looking for help identifying this broken part on my rear passenger side suspension. Pictures are with wheel off the car. A few weeks back I started hearing a noise like a spring releasing slightly, followed more recently by a clunking noise from the rear...

www.500eboard.co

FYI - Parts Required for Front, Rear Suspension & Steering Rebuild | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

The Wiki lists the parts required for a front suspension, rear suspension and steering rebuild at the following entry: https://www.500eboard.co/forums/index.php?wiki/&title=Suspension-and-Steering-Parts-List This has been revamped and updated as of November 1, 2019. The parts prices and...

www.500eboard.co

Front and Rear suspension bushing replacements | Maintenance Documents

Hi All: It's time to get rid of the squeaks and other suspension/body noises that have been getting louder and more noticeable. As the car is now 25 years old I'm sure that it Is time to do a complete replacement. Is there a list of all the front and rear bushings - perhaps a kit for front and...

www.500eboard.co

Rear sub-frame disassembly W124 | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

I am planning to disassemble the rear suspension on my 1995 E320. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I couldn't find any write up. Thanks

www.500eboard.co

Rear wheel carrier joint bushing | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

Hi. I recently ordered the rear wheel carrier joint bushings at Parts.com, and they reported a PN change. The 220 352 00 27 is now replaced with 204 352 00 27. The EPC I'm using, ran by SnapOn, doesn't pull this PN for the 036, so maybe it's not updated yet. I hope the removal/installation...

www.500eboard.co

500E - Rear carrier | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

Can any one tell me if 300 e carrier and rear axle parts will swap over. Thanks Randy

www.500eboard.co

FCP sale on Lemforder rear control arm kit (Dec-2015) | Parts for Sale

Price is pretty darn good at $257 with free shipping. Double-check on the quantity included of the bolt kits... SIX bolt kits are required, not three: Mercedes Control Arm Kit with Hardware (300E E320) - Lemforder W124RSKIT If anyone is planning on doing this... also replace the entire lower...

www.500eboard.co

HOW TO: Replace Rear Subframe Bushings with Miller Tools | "HOW-TO" Tutorial Articles

GSXR EDIT: Attached factory manual procedure, job 35-040, as PDF file - see bottom of post. Both factory tools referenced in the FSM are NLA. The Klann/Gedore tool, KL-0356 may have been available through 2019-2020, but is absent from their 2022-2023 catalogs, and may be NLA now. I finally...

www.500eboard.co

Suspension | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

Getting ready to order some things for E500.... Lowering and More Sporty Setup is the goal. Shocks, Springs, Sway Bars, Brakes and Rotors. Couple questions, What is the part number for rear shocks? Preferably Bilstein Sports. I cant find anything anywhere for rear shocks. Should SLS be...

www.500eboard.co

Rear Sway Bar Link Replacement | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

I have had a clunk for a while in the rear. Mostly prominent when hitting manhole covers, etc. Thought it was gas cell but replaced them. Could be sway bar links and or SLS strut bushing (lower) I was attempting to go thru the rear suspension today and started with an inspection...

www.500eboard.co

Aftermarket poly / urethane bushings (a little light on content, how about 5 posts as a starter?):

Front and Rear suspension bushing replacements | Maintenance Documents

Hi All: It's time to get rid of the squeaks and other suspension/body noises that have been getting louder and more noticeable. As the car is now 25 years old I'm sure that it Is time to do a complete replacement. Is there a list of all the front and rear bushings - perhaps a kit for front and...

www.500eboard.co

Rear end bushings, upgrades? | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

What are you guys running for upgraded bushings? My little old 300D is eating up torque arm bushings. I know AKE has his and they are reputable, was looking for a stateside fix. Prothane makes a kid for the Dodge 300C/Magnum/Challenger and I have a feeling that one of the bushings is the same...

www.500eboard.co

AMG and RENNtech swaybar reproductions | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

Yes, in the 500E/E500 forum, not that silly W126/C126 subterranean forum. Forum -- 500E / E500 -- Mechanical Brakes, Suspension and Steering -- AMG and RENNtech swaybar reproductions :stirthepot: :ban1: :D

www.500eboard.co

Sway bars / Anti-roll bars. A highly invited discourse. | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

There is a lot of discussion regarding sway bars, and I don’t want to pollute somebody else’s thread with this. Also, please note that it is not my intention to pee on anybody’s parade - but you may want to take this into consideration. From a chassis / suspension engineering point of view...

www.500eboard.co

ride/handling balance | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

just had a long trip on stock settings. My first winding road was encountered and i must say that the ride/handling balance of the car was astoundingly good when compared to modern machinery. The car was very comfortable but at the same time body roll was minimal. You know im just going to...

www.500eboard.co

Hey thanks for the information! If you want to post this information, By all means don’t. If you don’t wanna answer my question, then don’t. Move along. Youre taking a lot of time to tell me all the things you didn’t really need to say. This site is a rich resource for these cars. I’ve owned and driven them for five years, and I’m a trained Mercedes technician. There’s already a small demographic of people that even visit the site, no reason to run the new guy off.

All of this is fantastic information that I appreciate.

 

[xfadmin]

Given its focus, this thread has been moved to the 400E/E420 Discussions sub-forum.

 

[gsxr]

Depending how serious you are about carving corners, also check out this thread related to alignment, on a 400E with 5.0L conversion:

A W124 suspension tuning adventure | Brakes, Suspension and Steering

We have a 400E with 500E engine (55k mi.), all new suspension, 2.82 diff. w/LSD. Lots of details not relevant to this thread. We have nearly completed a rather lengthy suspension tuning that I thought might be interesting to this forum. The list of new parts so you understand the complete...

www.500eboard.co

 

[Kyiv]

@Quick4door, @gerryvz , who's the founder and maintainer of this site is a stern, direct type of guy, but with a BIG heart. Like a proverbial company commander, from a proverbial war movie. Seriously

I've been here 5 years, and I'm a complete noobster. Yet he, and others (@gsxr ) , take, sometimes 10-15 minutes out of their lifes to answer my, mostly banal and, frankly, imbecilic questions as if I'm paying $500/hour with a 3-hour minimum for consulting.

This forum isn't a "downtown Los Angeles", but rather a small, old-school town - think Luxemburg - both, in terms of quality of contingent and content. There are no assholes here, even if it may appear a little elitist. Restart on good foot, and you will not regret

 

[gerryvz]

No, it’s my fault for losing my temper. And we should accommodate all members whether newbies or old hands. There should be no stupid questions on this forum.

I apologize for losing my cool yesterday. I did not approach nor handle the situation well. I was wrong and I’ll have more patience in the future. It is not right to just simply tell people to search the forum, and I think I will remove that smiley from the collection. There’s a better way to handle this stuff.