Ok, so we have a new (opened in Jan '10) service center here that does MB service. The guy worked for Carlton MB for years and has had all the MB training including being the only service tech trained on the McLaren MB in the area. I called them and asked if they would do an oil change and of course they would. Well this guy has never seen the inside of a XFire and was amazed that it was exaclty like the MB. OK enough background.

$100 oil change was cheaper than the stealer and the other MB service center so I was ok with that. The guy brought be out to the shop floor to show me the front suspension bushing and said they had to be replaced for a price of ~$350. I did a search here and I don't see anyone having issues with this. I have an '05 with ~67K miles. Has anyone else had to replace the bushings (one on each side)? He tells me it's a special tool . It's pressed into a metal sleeve. He said it would cause excessive tire wear. Comments please.

 

I havent heard of this issue coming up before.... did your(or can you) get pics of the bushings?
Are your tires wearing bad or strange? Handling problems? Both sides bad at the same time? It is possible, but a bit odd......

 

Sounds legit. We have this issue on Volvos, usually the bigger cars XC90's and new S80's. Pretty much you use the cups for ball joints to press out the old bushing and then there's a special tool, it's two pieces that go around the whole (new) bushing to squeeze the circumference smaller while pushing it in the bore. This is an interference fit meaning that the bushing circumference is larger than the bore it's in. Then the bushing is pressed in the bore. As far as tire wear... sure, it's possible, worst case scenario. You gotta think that anything wears tires. There are specifications that the auto maker devises for tires to wear evenly. If any steering/suspension component is worn/broken/defective then the car won't hold those specifications. Rubber components break down easier than polyurethane. Do a search on the internet for "Running toe of zero" that is the goal of any alignment.