1995 W202 C180 Wishbone bushes

[joneseythedog]

Dear All

My car has some wear in the bushes on the front lower wishbone arms and the corresponding arms above, with one or two being split.

A garage has told my that it isn't possible to just replace the bushes, ie new arms must be fitted, and has quoted around £700 to replace the lower arms, and £300+ for the upper arms.

Seems a bit odd to me. Is this their way of encouraging me to find another garage? Doing work underneath the car isn't possible for me, so there isn't a DIY alternative.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[CafeMB]

Why does it seem a bit odd? It's not a simple job by any means.

 

[joneseythedog]

Just surprised that rubber bushes wearing would necessitate the replacement of significant components rather than just renewing the bushes. Have come across posts referring to bush replacement in this area, but don't know enough to tell whether they are the same ones or not, hence the post.

Andrew

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
The lower wishbone bushes can be replaced but buying the bushes and the labour involved in replacing them can make it only a little bit cheaper than replacing them with new, not sure on the upper arms, but I think they are correct in the fact that the only option is to replace the complete arm.
I,ll be honest if the parts they are using are genuine then the price is about right, as the lower arms are in the region of £300ea IIRC.
Having been in this situation with both of my cars one of them twice, I found the cheapest solution was to replace the arms completly.
Buy them from Euro car parts links below,
Lemforder who are OEM.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...dd1d4f4d57b67eedc59d9f02a15b584d0c8aaa&000320
Or a cheaper alternative,
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...6422c1cf001e2d719bc81698893388649fecf5&000320
also I would recommend replacing the lower ball joints,
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...f27a3fcc06345bf4c84ca0f329f93431d07dcd&000019
The upper arms Lemforder OEM.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...9e7e13f04f22f9a81585d901a320de5a795640&000320
Cheaper version,
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/M...9e7e13f04f22f9a81585d901a320de5a795640&000320
I have only posted one of each arm just to give you an idea of the prices.
You should be able secure 25-30% off of those prices if you use the forum discount code

 

[joneseythedog]

Thanks to you both for the replies, looks about right then. Good to know the chaps at the garage haven't gone loopy

A bit too much for me to spend at the moment, so will leave as long as it isn't a safety issue.

Andrew

 

[CRH71]

I've just had the NSF Upper Arm replaced on mine at my local garage for the MOT - they charged me £39 for the arm an an hour's labour (£50) - of course, plus the dreaded VAT.

I had been given a previous quote from another garage in excess of £290 for the same arm and labour.

HTH