2000 C230 Front End Collapse
 

:MODERATOR EDIT ADDING DATA LINK:
W210 DANGEROUS FLAW please read (crosslinked in post #1 to all on topic data)
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/bodywork-repair-paint-tools-tips-tricks/147997-w210-dangerous-flaw-please-read-crosslinked-post-1-all-topic-data.html
:MODERATOR EDIT ADDING DATA LINK:


I came out to my car after work this afternoon and the front suspension had collapsed. The driver front tire is hitting the top of the fender and the rubber spring bushing was on the ground. A broken spring? Any ideas? Thanks

Oh no dont tell me the W202 chassis has the spring perch collapse issue?!?

I had already asked my tech about it, and he's seen lots of W210 chassis with the problem, but not a single W202, W140, W220 or any other MB chassis. Remember too that the W202 has been out since 1993, and if this was a systemic problem, it should be evident (like on W210) by now.

BUT, that's not to say it can't happen...

Very true. I havent heard one single issue of this on the 202 but pages of it for W210.

I've seen 202's spring perches break. **it happens

Sure.
It's EXACTLY the same design, so why not ?

Yeah, the W210, W202 and W140 have very similar (pretty much identical) suspension designs, and so i can see that they would all be suspect. It seems though, that for some reason (that no one knows) the W210 has a much greater failure rate than other models. My tech is one of the only MB indie techs in the area (over 1M pop) and sees no W202/W140 spring perch failures.

Now, there are two dealers, and I can't say they haven't seen this.

An Update
 

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but my car had a perch break due to rust. It was quite comprehensive. It appears that the anti-corrosion coating was not applied correctly when the car was built.

I can post some pictures if anyone is interested.

Please do. I think I'll have to get my own car up on a hoist sometime soon...

Why they aren't sealed properly is the real question. We do know that this is the cause.

The simple reason is, they are built at 2 different factories.
My guess would be that one ( where the W 202's are, or were built ), the qualitycontrol is a little better.;)

oh don't freak me out now I just took apart the W202 suspension to swap in "sport" springs....

sounds like stiffer springs will accelerate its demise.....??

some POR-15 is in the works before it's too laaate....

POR-15 does wonders if your perch hasn't rusted yet.... try it you'll like what you see....

Its all about the rustproof!

Me too. Sorry to be the "co-bearer" of bad news, but it looks like the spring perch issue isn't just a 210 problem. I haven't seen one fail yet, but I've sent a handful to the body shop for repair, pre-emptively. The latest one was a '98, with well over 100K miles on the clock. At a glance, the seam sealer was still intact, but upon close inspection, it was obvious that rust was present at the attaching point. FWIW, MB offered to cover half of the repair bill.

How to prevent this?