2011 Mercedes GLK 350 X204 4Matic - Upper (large) Control Arm Replacement - covers RWD variant too

In this video I show you how to swap out your "upper control arms" (also known as torque struts, compliance bushing / arms, etc.). This is done on a 2011 4Matic GLK.
I clearly mark the areas of the video that are specific to the 4Matic installation so someone with a RWD vehicle doesn't have to waste their time watching those parts that don't apply (basically, the job is much, much easier on a RWD vehicle). These excluded scenes could also be skipped for those installing control arms from most (all?) other suppliers on a 4Matic vehicle, because there's no need to remove the axle and LCA - just unbolt the old arm, remove, twist in the new non-Lemforder arm, and reinstall and torque the bolts (all shown in great detail in my video).
FWIW the problem was caused by the control arms I used, from Lemforder. I used the same arms on a RWD vehicle a couple months ago, and they went in fine, and couldn't be easier. But the Lemforder arms have a larger, sharper "housing" under the ball joint, and that makes it impossible to install these without (among other things) removing the axle and "lower control arm".
I hope this video helps you with this common repair / maintenance item on your vehicle, whether it's a 4Matic or RWD variant. If it does help, I'd sincerely appreciate it if you could like the video and subscribe to my channel, which will make it easier for you to find my other related videos, as well as future videos on the Mercedes GLK.
Thanks!

[@bofasofa9399]

The W212 E Class 4Matic also uses this set up; it's the exact same as my 2011 E350 4Matic
Also, Bilstein is the OEM for my car, so I used their upper control arms; they are the same rounded-off type on the ball joint end, just like the genuine mercedes (because they are the same maker). I'm not sure why Lemforder was like yours was, but I guess it isn't OEM. The Lemforder bushing is the bushing they use for the OEM/Genuine, but not the Lemforder arm/ball joint

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@@bofasofa9399 it was all fairly mystifying to me why they chose to expand the control arm in that one critical dimension. I've used tons of Lemforder parts in the past, to good effect. This time however, I really wish I had chosen something else.

[@bofasofa9399]

@@Mark_H_DIY Yeah, usually Lemforder is the OEM or at least OE, but for some reason on the upper control arms they aren't. It looks like they are the OEM for the lower control arms though which is weird. Oh well

[@anthonywheelus4845]

Great video, thanks for posting.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

Thanks! Hope it helps you out.

[@brentlines6238]

strang I have a 2010 glk 350 I managed easily to replace upper control arms without loosening axle.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

If I would have gotten a control arm that looked more like the OEM arm, I wouldn't have had to remove the axle either. Live and learn!