Good deal on the rims. They still could be bent but its not likely the problem.

The noise you describe sounds like tires or wheel bearings. Wheel bearing noise usually can be changed by loading. Thus a quick turn one way will make the noise softer or go away and the other direction it won't or it can make it greater.

Aside from the noise the 124 body has a dependence on the shock that doesn't normally occur on MBs. Wear in the strut can effect Camber and looseness can allow Camber movement with loading changes. All of this is due to the fact that the extention strut (the part that goes up and down) is a structural member of the suspension. Other suspensions like 140, 126 have lower and UPPER control arms with two balljoints securing camber and caster. With 124/201 the strut (like a large radio antenna) pins the top.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician