99 C-230 front spring perch
 

very bad experience with the 97 C-230 the other day.

The front spring perch [pax-side] - suspension body component that holds the top end of the coil spring literally ripped out of the body - resulting in the front suspension collapsing [talk about "lowering your ride!!!!!!!!"]

The reason - is that there was massive body rust [hidden by the undercoating] which degraded the structural integrity of the body to the point where it could no longer contain the potential energy of the coil spring.

I googled the part -came across a NTSA web site - and low and behold - multiple other instances where the perch let go>>> while fols were driving at speed!!!! - in some cases the entire coil spring launched from under the car!!!

so > what to do??

It's a 97 C-230 - blue book what? $2500 max.. has 180K > it has been a real fine vehicle... but this is gonna cost me what?? I'm probablly looking at $1500 min....

anyone else have a DEFECTIVE spring perch?

I've seen it before but not on a 202 chassis. I'd suspect that the car had spent a good portion of its life in a corrosive climate, or had body damage from an accident or both.

The 210 chassis is most prone to this problem, with the early diesels being the most prone of the 210 chassis. I keep an eye on all that come through the shop and point out any that show rusting around the spring perch mounting area.

The perch is a replacement part but you're probably correct that the cost of the repair will likely equal or exceed the value of the car. My concern at this point would be other corrosion related problems that are hiding. What's the condition of the other perch? The suspension in general? You get the idea.... and it's probably time to move on.