I have been trying to track down the banging in the rear over bumps from a 1998 C230. I put the car up on ramps recently and was tugging on everything in the back of the car but could see anything loose. Today I had it up on jacks and had the suspension hanging. I tried sticking a screwdriver between the big bottom rubber backed washer at the bottom of the front mount and the subframe. Could't insert it. I then dropped the car onto the wheels so the car was supported by the suspension and the was plenty of space like 1/4" to slip the screwdriver in there. Looks like the front mounts are shot. Rears seem to be OK. Just wondering if I have to disconnect everything back there to drop the subframe enough and if I need to fab some special tool to get the bushing out?

__________________
John


1998 C230 for the wife
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo for me in the summer
1993 Audi 90 for me in the winter

OF course at dealer we have 2 special tools to do that job.
1 to remove the old bushing & another to install.

We always do that in the car. INSTALLING the new bushing requires only pressing on the outer edge as the bushing is "liquid" filled.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks for the reply MBDOC.

Is the tool for removal a tool that can be bought through the dealer or is it some thing handmade? Plus does the subframe have to be dropped completely or can the removal and replacement of the mounts be done by dropping the subframe only a few inches? Can it be done by having the rear of the car driven up on ramps and lifting the body after unbolting the mounts ( is this even possible) or is it done by lifting both the body onto jacks at the jack points and also supporting the subframe and rear transaxle with jack(s) and slowly dropping the subframe? I'm guessing its the later. If it is the later do I also have to unbolt other components of the rear suspension or will the whole rear subframe and related components just flex downward with the subframe?

__________________
John


1998 C230 for the wife
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo for me in the summer
1993 Audi 90 for me in the winter

Send me a pm or e-mail & I will end you instructions.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I didn't find anything on here before when I searched but now I found this. I didn't look at it before because it was a W201 (190) but it looks like its the same setuo. What do you think?

http://www.dot7design.com/mercedes/W..._subframe1.pdf
http://www.dot7design.com/mercedes/W..._subframe2.pdf

__________________
John


1998 C230 for the wife
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo for me in the summer
1993 Audi 90 for me in the winter

I guess those files don't work.

Here is the link to the thread that has the files. Scroll down to Cornblat. he did the writeup.

Rear axle carrier (subframe) mounts / ball joints ('84 190D)

__________________
John


1998 C230 for the wife
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo for me in the summer
1993 Audi 90 for me in the winter