...on my 300E with 196k miles on it. I don't think any suspension components have ever been changed.

In order of importance to ride quality, what should I look at? Springs, shocks, damper struts, bushings, steering damper?

I'm not looking to lower the car, I want to keep stock look as much as possible. What would you all suggest?

Thanks for any input!

~~Paul

BTW: I have a "rattle" sorta like a jingle coming from my right rear wheel when I hit bumps. Sounds like something shook loose back there. Any ideas what that could be?

Look at the rear suspension. There are some sheet metal "bars"(connecting links)at the top of the suspension. Usually the bushings go out on those. You can get bushings, but the connecting links used to be pretty cheap and it made more sense to just replace the whole part instead of trying to press bushings into a sheet metal piece.
Regards,
Randy D.

Front struts, rear shocks, sway bar bushings, check ball joints and tie rod ends. All of the rubber in the suspension will get brittle with age, so..if you want original ride quality, replace all of the rubber components front and rear. How much $$ do you want to spend??

__________________
Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
No matter what you fix, there will always be something else to fix..
"Warranty" is just another way of postponing the inevitable.

Thanks for the input...

I'm willing to spend up to $1000, but would like to DIY some of the work if possible. Don't think I have the right tools though to pull some of the suspension components out.

Would love to go with the sportline, but just can't afford it right now.

~Paul

Brother of The Benz, pmizell
Start easy and simple.
With your basic hand tools and the Benz wheel jack; you can replace the front shock/struts and rear shocks.(use safety stands)
The suspention components require the car to be raised more than with the shocks.
To replace the steering stabiliser you have to remove the lower sound shield. It ain't worth it for the little they charge for installation.
Start at the rear and renew all the rubber components that appear dry and hard.
Little at a Time. We've all had to do it.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!