I have a 1988 MB 190E 2.3. I have a noticable rattle in the front end. I tracked the noise down to the driver side strut. The boot is all broken up on top and the strut is making a rattle every time I hit a bump.
I can push the front end up and down and reproduce the same noise as on the road and I can see the strut moving around. Do I need to replace just the boot or do I need a new strut tower as well. How hard is the install? Would I need a spring compressor.

Thanks in advance.
Chris

[This message has been edited by chris (edited 03-20-99).]

Be sure to check the ball joint. They show faulty when the boot swells up. This swelling is due to rust inside the joint. As for the strut you shuld let a repair shop handle this and align it.

I had the exact same problem with my 1990. All that was required was a replacement of the strut mount, and the sound was gone. The dealer wanted $720 to replace both front struts!

Matt