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  #1  
Old 10-06-2006, 01:12 AM
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Found RUST on spring perch 97 E420!!! HELP

I recently bought a 1997 E420 with 100k miles. I love the car so far. However, when I raised the car tonight to change the oil, I found serious RUST on the passenger side spring perch (see pics) The other side and both driver's sides looked ok on visual inspection, but who knows what's really going on.





Questions:
1. How bad does this look? Will it let go any day now?
2. Is MB USA covering the repair cost? What phone # do I call?
3. If they deny payment, how much can I expect to pay out of pocket??
I'm very disappointed and needless to say I won't be driving much until this issue is resolved, my family or I could be killed.

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  #2  
Old 10-06-2006, 01:23 AM
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I would not drive it with that corrosion. It can fail. Do a search. Much has been said about this problem. You are not the first.
Good Luck, Dan
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  #3  
Old 10-06-2006, 04:28 AM
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Take your 1997 E420 to your local MB dealer and see if they will repair the spring perch at no charge. Otherwise, find a local independent who has done the repair ... rewelded the spring perch. I suspect the repair is somewhat involved/expensive as an out-of-pocket repair.
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  #4  
Old 10-06-2006, 10:26 AM
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Call MB corporate

David Poole (my mechanic in Dallas, and a fellow member) made me aware of this thread as I had the same problem about 2 years ago.

I called the MB customer service number that I pulled from the http://www.mbusa.com website and informed them of this issue. I asked them why there wasn't a recall. They quickly set up an appointment with the Local MB dealer to inspect it and then had it repaired under warranty.

I would suggest you call the corporate number and have them call the dealership. This will set the stage up for you in case the dealer is not familiar with the problem.

Good luck.
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  #5  
Old 10-06-2006, 10:45 AM
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Thanks guys. I will contact the local dealership first. Hopefully they'll take care of it but if not I will call the MB HQ number.

For all W210 (and other MB owners), be sure to lift the car and inspect your cars!! It could save your life
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  #6  
Old 10-06-2006, 10:58 AM
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And don't forget to send the pics and information to
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

You might save someone elses life too.
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  #7  
Old 10-06-2006, 12:43 PM
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I wouldn't drive it, thats really bad. Usualy you don't even see that much rust just a bit poking up.


MB covered the spring perch repair on my friends E300D 100%. He had a good relationship with the dealer(spends money there) and they are a pretty good dealer. They even gave him a loaner car.
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  #8  
Old 10-06-2006, 01:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy View Post
I wouldn't drive it, thats really bad. Usualy you don't even see that much rust just a bit poking up.


MB covered the spring perch repair on my friends E300D 100%. He had a good relationship with the dealer(spends money there) and they are a pretty good dealer. They even gave him a loaner car.



I agree.

Have it TOWED to the nearest dealer to be repaired.
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  #9  
Old 10-06-2006, 02:51 PM
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I concur - tow it.
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  #10  
Old 10-06-2006, 07:24 PM
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Mmm, depends on how far from the dealer you are. If not far I'd be tempted to GENTLY drive it. Preferably in light traffic, and not highway speeds. Reason I say this is if you have it towed, especially flat-bedded (which is typical these days), they driver will want to cinch it down, which may break it right there. Maybe safest idea to get it flatbedded, but ask the driver (or company operator when you call) if they can attach/tie down the car using the straps that go around the wheels, not cinched down at the frame of the car.
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  #11  
Old 10-07-2006, 06:03 AM
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ProV1, since you've been doing normal driving in this car completely unaware of the spring perch problem why not simply cautiously drive the car to the dealer? The condition appears to have been there for while. I would have expected someone to have noticed the problem previously during state inspection, PPI or routine service.
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  #12  
Old 10-07-2006, 04:55 PM
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Granted, the rust has undoubtedly been there a while, and yes, the odds are almost certainly that the perch has a few good miles on it...

but...

if we're worried that simply cinching the frame to a flatbed trailer might break the perch clean off, wouldn't we also be worried about him hitting a pothole or curb and the same result occuring? This is not a purely theoretical outcome - these perches have come undone at speed due to this problem.

For me, the $50-75 spent for towing would be money well spent, unless I literally lived across the street from the dealer.
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  #13  
Old 10-07-2006, 05:07 PM
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I understand what you are saying about the pot holes, etc. Point being to drive it "easy", avoid potholes, etc. I know, things can happen and now you "can't" avoid a pothole. If it is a rish you're not willing to take (acknowledging here that there IS a risk), then by all means don't take it based on my recommendation! Of course as far as I know the nearest dealer might be a couple hours away, in which case I might offer different advice. I was hoping Prov1 might live in the same general area as a dealer, fairly close. I shouldn't make those assumptions.
Gilly
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  #14  
Old 10-07-2006, 05:08 PM
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Ann Arbor MI, is there a dealer in Ann Arbor??
Gilly
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  #15  
Old 10-07-2006, 05:48 PM
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