W124 - Failing Supsension - Please help

[Steele'sBenz]

Hello,

I own a 1994 E320. Bought it several months ago and want to restore it. A month ago, I had my shop (great shop-no joke) check out my suspension. Checked shocks, tie rods, bushings, etc, power steering, and said all was "A okay".

1st. A week ago I noticed a difference in the driving, felt lower to the ground. Looked outside, my car is low on my passengers front side, though everywhere else it appears fine. I've noticed when I come to a stop, the front end dips down, but when you then punch the gas, the front end pulls up, applying all weight to the rear.

Any ideas? I'm thinking shocks...


2nd. When driving on the freeway (terrible road pavements, bumps & pot holes glore), after I surpass 65 MPH or hit a bump I get a vibration in my steering wheel, the front wheels feel like they are wobbling, and overall vehicle starts to shake. Told my shop about this, reason why suspension was checked in the first place. Shop says either rebalance the tires, or a rim is bent. Jacked up the car today, looked in the backs & fronts of each rims, each is bend-free. Noticed, my steering damper is totally rusted.

Thoughts? This I don't get.


The vehicle is truly beautiful, the 16 year old black paint looks brand new, the leather looks new, all electric motors work, just put new tires on, only 120,000 certified miles.

Please help, just want to restore this thing

[sizbob]

I have a 1994 e320 wagon. same front end problems except for the dip when stopping. I am guessing shocks and ball joints. I will let you know what I learn if you would pls do the same. Send note to sizbob@aol.com as I don't check this that often.

[Ferdman]

Steele, replace the front struts and steering damper. Also, have the wheels road-force balanced. Recommend Bilstein struts. Check the condition of the sway bar bushings.

Suggest finding a MB-trained indie to evaluate/repair your 1994 E320 in the future.

[Chris W.]

Also check for a broken front spring. I have had 2 fail on 124's.

Rgds,
Chris W.

[JimFreeh]

Check your spring perch.

Rust can cause these to fail.

Jim

[ds190]

Also check idle arm bushings.

Not related, but since you are "restoring", repack front wheel bearings. Check F and R flex disks. Check center support bushing.

[d.delano]

A good idea, and prevention against revealing other problem areas in the suspension requiring another trip to the shop, would be to go ahead and replace every rubber part underneath the car. Ball joints too. They're 16 years old after all. And having the wheels dynamic-balanced or road-force balanced as mentioned by Ferdman should address any high-speed vibrations. Doing this and perhaps a top-end rebuild would make any MB drive like a new car regardless of what it looks like.

[Will_w202]

Front springs definitely go on this chassis at that age. My 93 400E was sagging when I bought it in 08, replaced fronts and all is level.

[macdrone]

Yes front struts can get weak. They can be refurbished so I am told. Havent don it myself.

I am surprised the shop said you were good to go on a older vehicle like that. On my 93 400E I went in for a front end alignment and my tie rod sheared off in the guys hand, they didnt even charge for labor just had to get a new one. I bought some new tires, did the alignment to keep up the warranty on the tires. So hopefully it will all last till next year when i do the A arms and struts since I have replaced most of everything else.

[samiam44]

macdrone,

I've never heard of rebuilding struts- do tell more. I have had Koni race shop rebuild a pair of koni shocks which were NLA. I had receipts and they were life-time warrentee, so they did it for free.

I would (if your not familiar) take it to a MB shop and ask for a assessment of the suspension. You can wholesale replace everything front and rear except struts/shocks for about $1000 in parts. Then it will handle and drive like new.

Besides steering- loose wheel brgs will give problems too.

Michael

[sizbob]

What are the best Struts for a 94 E320 Wagon. I can't find Bilstine only a KYB W0133-1611579 or Monroe 71808ss. Do I have to align the front end after replacing just struts?

[ps2cho]

Your wagon uses the same front struts as the sedans. I recommend Bilstein HD's over comfort. The rear's are MB only. Finding Bilstein SLS struts are difficult to find, and very expensive. They usually don't wear out though in the rear. The fronts do around every ~90k.

[Ferdman]

I have a set of Bilstein HD struts (that I bought for our 1995 E320) for sale. These struts were on the car for 3 days/100 miles. The ride was too firm for my liking and I switched to Bilstein Comfort struts. Send me a private message if you're interested in buying them.