My 76 450 SEL with 180,000 miles is not doing well. I have some idle issues, some strating issues and now as if all of a sudden the ass end is dragging somewhat.

A mercedes mechanic had a quick look under neath and said the coil springs are compressend and that the "arms" are shot. He suggested I sell the car Said I would get $2500-3000 CDN as is. And buy a different one. That someone with more money than me would buy it and fix. Motor and tranny are awesome. Interior is in good cond. for year. All chrome, 5 rims etc... So do these arms wear out and need replacing? He said they are like $2000 CDN new and maybe 600 used.

I don't know what I will do...

Any help?


Are these "arms" difficult to install? Any on

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1976 Mercedes 450 SEL (170K Miles)
1999 Nissan Altima GXE (45,000 km)
1986 Ford Bronco II 4x4

well I wouldn't necessarily say the arms are shot, but it does sound like the springs are sagging.

Someone else will chime in about the arms, but I suspect it is sagging springs.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I hope its a coil spring only issue all right. I haven't had the car long and I don't want to have to sell it. When the mechanic was looking at it, he said 10 grand would be a good start...

Runs great, some rust, tranny great, yet 10 grand. He did seem to really know is stuff though.

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1976 Mercedes 450 SEL (170K Miles)
1999 Nissan Altima GXE (45,000 km)
1986 Ford Bronco II 4x4

There is a new product out for sagging springs called "Spring Knuckles". You insert one in between the coils and twist it to lock in position using a helfty 1/2" long breaker bar. They come in two sizes. You do at leas one per coil spring.

Usually they cost about $40 for both sides. A lot less expensive than new coil springs.

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)