Control Arm Bushing - Rear

Replace worn rear control arm bushings to restore proper suspension geometry and eliminate clunking noises or excessive tire wear on the 2007-2013 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear control arm bushing kit (inner and outer) × 2 — Use OEM Mercedes-Benz specification
• Cotter pin (if applicable) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm hardware kit (if corroded) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Lift rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under chassis rails
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link (if applicable)
   If the sway bar link interferes with control arm removal, hold the shaft with an Allen key and remove the upper or lower nut connecting it to the control arm. Swing the link out of the way.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Support control arm
   Position a floor jack under the rear control arm to support it and take some of the suspension load. Raise jack just enough to contact the arm without lifting the vehicle.
   ⚠The control arm may drop suddenly when bolts are removed. Keep hands clear of pinch points.
3. 3

   Remove ball joint connection
   Remove the ball joint nut connecting the control arm to the wheel carrier or hub assembly. Use a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork to break the taper connection. Remove and discard the cotter pin if equipped.
   ⚠Do not strike the ball joint stud with a hammer as this can damage the stud or ball joint.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut119 Nm (88 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Mark control arm orientation
   Before removing the control arm bolts, mark the orientation of the control arm relative to the chassis mounting points using paint or a marker. This ensures proper alignment during reinstallation.
   ℹ️Proper alignment marks prevent suspension geometry issues after reassembly.
5. 5

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Remove the front and rear control arm mounting bolts that attach the arm to the chassis or subframe. Lower the jack slightly to allow the control arm to drop free. Remove the control arm from the vehicle.
   ⚠Control arm bolts may be very tight due to thread locker. Apply additional penetrating oil if needed.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove old bushings from control arm
   Using a hydraulic press and appropriate bushing removal adapters, press the old bushings out of the control arm. Apply steady, even pressure to avoid damaging the control arm housing. Clean the bushing bore thoroughly with a wire brush, removing all rust and debris.
   ⚠Ensure press adapters are properly sized to avoid damaging the control arm or bushing bore.
7. 7

   Inspect control arm
   Inspect the control arm for cracks, deformation, or damage to the bushing bores. Check ball joint stud for play or damage. Replace control arm if any damage is found. Clean mounting surfaces thoroughly.
   ℹ️If the control arm is damaged or bushing bores are oval-shaped, the entire arm must be replaced.
8. 8

   Install new bushings
   Apply a light coating of soapy water or approved bushing lubricant to the new bushings and control arm bores. Using the hydraulic press and proper installation adapters, press the new bushings into the control arm. Ensure bushings are pressed in straight and fully seated to the stop. Verify orientation matches OEM specifications.
   ⚠Do not use petroleum-based lubricants as they can damage rubber bushings. Use only soapy water or approved bushing installation lubricant.
9. 9

   Install control arm to chassis
   Position the control arm back into the mounting points on the chassis or subframe, aligning with the orientation marks made during removal. Insert the front and rear mounting bolts but do NOT torque them yet. Hand-tighten bolts only to allow bushing movement.
   ⚠Do not torque control arm bolts until vehicle weight is on the wheels or bushing life will be severely reduced.
10. 10

    Reconnect ball joint
    Raise the floor jack under the control arm to bring the ball joint stud into position in the wheel carrier. Install the ball joint nut and torque to specification. Install a new cotter pin if equipped and bend the ends to secure.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut119 Nm (88 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link
    If removed, reconnect the sway bar link to the control arm. Hold the shaft with an Allen key and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle so the full weight is on the wheels but keep the jack stands in place as a safety backup. Do not remove jack stands yet.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Torque control arm bolts with weight on wheels
    With the vehicle weight fully on the wheels and suspension at normal ride height, torque the control arm mounting bolts to specification. This is critical to prevent premature bushing failure.
    ⚠️This step must be performed with vehicle weight on wheels. Torquing with suspension hanging will cause bushing bind and premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final torque wheel lug nuts
    Raise the vehicle slightly to remove jack stands, then lower completely. Perform final torque on wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side control arm to maintain balanced suspension
2. Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area to verify no abnormal noises or handling issues
3. Schedule a professional wheel alignment within 50 miles as suspension geometry has been altered

Verification

• Bounce rear of vehicle to verify no clunking noises from control arm area
• Visually inspect all fasteners to ensure proper installation and torque
• Verify control arm moves smoothly through suspension travel without binding
• Test drive and verify straight-line tracking and absence of pulling or wandering
• Confirm wheel alignment is within Mercedes-Benz specifications

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