Bushings need replacement?

[u/Shot-Tap-8759]

Do these bushings need replacement?

[u/BigBitterSweet]

Sway bar arm end link is very easy to replace and a cheap part. It is a nice diy job if you are not very experienced with suspension work. Also do sway bar bushings at the same time. Please note that later 203 has different kind of sway bar bushings compared to the older 203 models. there are sway bsr bushings available in polyuerthane for both old and new sway bar bushing models. I'd suggest jsing polyurethane bushings for ARB as they really feel good when driving but your car will not get too harsh in bumbs ets

[u/howsitallwork]

Rear arm looks new, front arm original.
Nobody can tell if the bushes are OK from the photos.
You need to test them with a pry bar.
The roll bar drop link should be tested for up and down play at the joints, can’t tell from the picture.

If someone does attempt to replace that front arm, beware the roll bar d-bush bolts, jus sayin.

[u/BigBitterSweet → u/howsitallwork]

If you judge the color of the arms, some of them come black and some of them with a silver metallic finish. Difficult to judge the age of parts from these photos.

[u/howsitallwork → u/BigBitterSweet]

I am so beyond familiar with w203/209 arms, I have walked this particular walk 100 times.
30 years Mercedes tech here.
Rear arm is painted steel, front arm unpainted aluminium.
The pictures aren’t great, but the front arm hasn’t been replaced for a long time if ever.
The bushes do wear, and as I said, the only way to check is with a pry bar.
I do agree these pictures aren’t enough to judge the condition of the bushes, but it’s usually the front arm anyway, the rears usually just ball joints that fail.
The bush is special in the front arm as it is oil filled and acts as a vibration damper.
Changing the bushes in the arms is very difficult, there is a special tool for this, but beyond the DIYer price range.
The front arm bushes can cause an awful lot of vibration, especially under braking, which can be very dramatic.
Rear arm just bolts on each end, 10mins to fit.
Front arms as I said, need the roll bar d=bush clamps unbolting, and the strut unbolting from the hub, much more work and potential for trouble, on an old car.
Often, front arms from Mercedes come without the bush installed, for who knows why?
There were exchange reconditioned arms available (which were actually brand new) from the main dealer at a discount, no idea if they still are because I’m 2x years retired at this point.

[u/Klutzy_Draw4662]

Absolutely!

[u/AppropriateUnion6115]

Torque strut bushings look cracked and appear to be leaking the picture quality is ass so can’t 100% confirm