Mercedes Benz 380SL (107.045) Control Arm Costs
The average cost for a Mercedes Benz 380SL (107.045) Control Arm Replacement is between $69 - $128. Get an instant quote with our AI repair estimator.
What is a control arm?
A control arm is a crucial component of a vehicle’s suspension system, tasked with controlling the motion of the wheels to a synchronized level and connecting them to the car's frame. Typically, it has a triangular shape and consists of two flexible, void bushings. These parts permit it to flex according to the lateral stress produced when the vehicle runs over bumps or makes turns. Each control arm is connected to the wheel assembly at one end and secured to the vehicle's frame at the other, helping maintain the correct alignment and contact of the tires with the road surfaces, ensuring safe handling and comfort during driving.
Symptoms of a faulty control arm
When a control arm begins to fail, it can lead to several noticeable symptoms affecting the vehicle's performance and safety. The most common symptom is a prominent knocking or clunking noise coming from the suspension, especially when going over bumps or potholes. This is often due to the deterioration of the bushings or the ball joint, which can rattle when loose. Another sign is uneven tire wear, caused by the misalignment of the wheels, as a damaged control arm fails to maintain proper wheel positioning. Vibration in the steering wheel is also a common symptom, particularly under acceleration, as the control arm loses the ability to stabilize the movement of the wheels effectively. Lastly, if the handling of the vehicle becomes erratic or feels off even under normal driving conditions, it could indicate that the control arm needs inspection and possibly replacement.
How urgent is control arm replacement?
Replacing a faulty control arm is relatively urgent, as it significantly influences your vehicle's handling and safety. Delaying this repair might lead to further complications not only affecting the suspension but potentially causing tire blowouts due to uneven wear, or even loss of control at high speeds or during sharp turns. It’s advisable to address it promptly to avoid escalating repair costs and to ensure that you’re driving in a reliably stable vehicle.
How much does control arm replacement cost?
The cost of replacing a control arm can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the nature of the damage and the parts required. On average, parts and labor for a control arm replacement can range from $150 to $400 per arm. Luxury or performance vehicles may incur higher costs due to the complexity of their suspension systems and the quality of components required.
4 FAQs about control arms
- Can I drive with a damaged control arm?
While you might still be able to drive with a faulty control arm, it’s not advisable due to the potential for unsafe driving conditions and further damage to the suspension system or tires. - How long do control arms typically last?
Control arms are expected to last several years, depending on driving conditions and maintenance routines. However, frequent driving over rough terrain can reduce their lifespan to 70,000 to 100,000 miles. - Do both control arms need to be replaced at once?
It’s commonly recommended to replace both control arms on either the front or rear together to ensure even wear and prevent handling imbalances. However, if only one is damaged, replacing just the faulty one is also an option. - Are control arm bushings replaceable?
Yes, control arm bushings can often be replaced independently if the rest of the control arm is in good condition. This can be a cost-effective fix for minor wear and tear.
Dev Output
1985 Mercedes Benz 380SL (107.045) V8-3.8L (116.960) - Control Arm Costs
Parts: $75.00Labor: $59.00{ "partPrice": 75, "laborPrice": 59, "alldata_id": 46826, "alldata_vehicle_id": 46826, "title": "Control Arm", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Front", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower Left, With Ball Joint", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Lower Left, W/ball Joint", "price": "1180.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1073301207" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Left", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Left", "price": "1130.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303807" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Right", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Right", "price": "1070.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303907" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension - Shock Type", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "standardtime": "2.2", "warrantytime": "1.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "Upper", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Left Side", "labor": { "standardtime": "1.8", "warrantytime": "1.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Right Side", "labor": { "standardtime": "1.8", "warrantytime": "1.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "labor": { "note": "After Axle Assembly Is Removed.", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.5", "warrantytime": "1.8" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "To Replace Control Arm Bushings, Add", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.3", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1985, "make": "Mercedes Benz", "model": "380SL (107.045)", "engine": "V8-3.8L (116.960)" }1984 Mercedes Benz 380SL (107.045) V8-3.8L (116.960) - Control Arm Costs
Parts: $53.00Labor: $27.00{ "partPrice": 53, "laborPrice": 27, "alldata_id": 46825, "alldata_vehicle_id": 46825, "title": "Control Arm", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Front", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower Left, With Ball Joint", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Lower Left, W/ball Joint", "price": "1180.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1073301207" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Left", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Left", "price": "1130.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303807" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Right", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Right", "price": "1070.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303907" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension - Shock Type", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "standardtime": "2.2", "warrantytime": "1.6" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "Upper", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Left Side", "labor": { "standardtime": "1.8", "warrantytime": "1.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Right Side", "labor": { "standardtime": "1.8", "warrantytime": "1.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "labor": { "note": "After Axle Assembly Is Removed.", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.5", "warrantytime": "1.8" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "To Replace Control Arm Bushings, Add", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.3", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1984, "make": "Mercedes Benz", "model": "380SL (107.045)", "engine": "V8-3.8L (116.960)" }1983 Mercedes Benz 380SL (107.045) V8-3.8L (116.960) - Control Arm Costs
Parts: $0.00Labor: $100.00{ "partPrice": 0, "laborPrice": 100, "alldata_id": 46824, "alldata_vehicle_id": 46824, "title": "Control Arm", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Front", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower Left, With Ball Joint", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Lower Left, W/ball Joint", "price": "1180.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1073301207" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Left", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Left", "price": "1130.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303807" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Right", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Right", "price": "1070.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303907" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "note": "Does Not Include: Wheel Alignment. ", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "Upper", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "note": "Does Not Include: Wheel Alignment. ", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.9", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "labor": { "note": "After Axle Assembly Is Removed.", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.5", "warrantytime": "1.8" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "To Replace Control Arm Bushings, Add", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.3", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1983, "make": "Mercedes Benz", "model": "380SL (107.045)", "engine": "V8-3.8L (116.960)" }1982 Mercedes Benz 380SL (107.045) V8-3.8L (116.960) - Control Arm Costs
Parts: $56.00Labor: $16.00{ "partPrice": 56, "laborPrice": 16, "alldata_id": 46823, "alldata_vehicle_id": 46823, "title": "Control Arm", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Front", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower Left, With Ball Joint", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Lower Left, W/ball Joint", "price": "1180.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1073301207" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Left", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Left", "price": "1130.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303807" } ] }, { "name": "Upper Right", "part": [ { "name": "Control Arm, Upper Right", "price": "1070.00", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "1153303907" } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "note": "Does Not Include: Wheel Alignment. ", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "Upper", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "note": "Does Not Include: Wheel Alignment. ", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.9", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Lower", "labor": { "note": "After Axle Assembly Is Removed.", "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.5", "warrantytime": "1.8" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "To Replace Control Arm Bushings, Add", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.3", "warrantytime": "0.0" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1982, "make": "Mercedes Benz", "model": "380SL (107.045)", "engine": "V8-3.8L (116.960)" }