My 92 spent lots of time in the shop during warranty, and they replaced all kinds of things, upper control arms, drive shaft , steering damper, etc, etc. The best it ever was when a MB shop in Chicago balanced the wheels and then balanced them on the car with a strobe.
A while back I did engine, trans mounts, lower control arm bushings, steering damper, and sway bar links. I also went to Bridgestone Turanzas (road force balanced) and cranked up the pressures by three pounds. I do get an occasional vib at 40 or so but it diasappeares after a while. I did have the tires rebalanced, and the shop did not have the machine, and it seems to be back slightly. The car shipped with Pirelli, and they switched out the tires to Bridgestone, I have gone Bridgestone with both H&V ratings and was not happy. As they say you can balance a brick to spin but it will be square
As I stated in 95 the car was lowered with different springs and rates, I have never done shocks, but numerous alignments. I dont think your vib is the cronic issue with some early 140s, maybe warped rotors, bushings, maybe tires.

I agree with Jim. I prefer the contrast in color. Mine is Black Opal. The cladding is rather tired looking, but not bad. I removed the front plate holder to see the original color. Quite different, but I hate to start buffing on the cladding because it's supposed to be more of a satin finish.

Does anyone know if the plastic pieces between the Front and Rear doors were originally black? Mine are sort of a bronzish purple. Wondering whether this is just weathering.

Steve

I understand Jim's point, but personally, I think the 2-tone is the only feature on the style of the car that dates it. The two-color schemes were really popular in the '90s, but the style of the car carries itself very well today. I had my other car shot all white (was white / dove gray) and it looked much more current. Just a personal preference.

It seems there have been poly bushings used in the lower arms to assist in controlling oversized wheel & tire combos - see the end of this article...

http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic4232.html

Another note - I just talked to the local Hunter alignment guy who mentioned the use of a toe-bar to preload the front end during alignment. It's designed to push outward on the wheels to simulate road force acting on the front wheels while driving. Anyone know the specs on this bar? It has to be adjustible to work with multiple cars, but how do you know it's set right?

Yes, that is the standard spreader bar used at the dealer for alignments. I have always used the dealer for alignments. That's about the only thing I've used them for.

Brotherton has an interesting article on alignments and mentions the spreader bar. Here it is http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic4232.html

Steve

Peter

in your submission ...

I have the sway links on my 1992 500SEL (W140) hanging loose, but I have no clue how to remove them

The nut is removed from the top, but the link will not come off.

Thanks for your help and suggestion

__________________
Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup