springs or struts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-02-2002, 11:46 PM

lately my 300D has been performing in very poorly in terms of suspension. initially i thought it might be the struts gone bad, the car does bottom out ocassionally. however it does not really bounce wildly on bumps as is the case when the struts are bad. on the other hand i can feel evety crack bump and pebble on the street coming up through the seats in side the car as sharp blows. what coud it be?? any help would be appreciated greatly.

csnow · #2 08-02-2002, 11:58 PM

How many miles are on the struts?
While springs can get tired with age, it is unlikely that they would contribute to the symptoms you describe.
These symptoms are typically a sign of strut failure in my experience.

william rogers · #3 08-03-2002, 01:27 AM

springs and or shocks..........
William Rogers......

haasman · #4 08-03-2002, 01:23 PM

TurboTurbine

The '84 300D cars do not have front struts. The shocks are separate.

Some questions for you:

-How many miles on the car?
-Does the rear sit lower than the front, unloaded?
-Depending on miles you may want to check the front suspension for:
-Worn balljoints
-Front wheel bearing adjustment
-bad tie-rod ends
-leaking shocks: a lot of oil down the sides.
-Idler arm bushings
-The steering shock (it could simply be this)

Hope this helps

#5 08-03-2002, 05:53 PM

thanks for all the replies, i should have mentioned that i suspect the rear suspension, the front is OK. also i have seen too many mercedes that ride really low and typicall lean to the left when viewed from behind leading me to believe that is just the way mercedes suspension is. i will repalce the dampers and see how it works.
Thanks again.

haasman · #6 08-03-2002, 06:05 PM

Miles ... how many miles?

I would guess that it sits low in the back .... if so replace the rear springs. The unload static ride height is supposed to be with the rear slightly higher than the front.

JDUB · #7 08-04-2002, 12:54 AM

Don't buy KYB shocks they are junk,buy Bilstiens

haasman · #8 08-04-2002, 01:27 AM

JDUB is right. I had KYB shocks on an old car and I wish I had bought Bilsteins. Since then I only buy Bilsteins HDs

#9 08-04-2002, 01:55 AM

""-How many miles on the car?
-Does the rear sit lower than the front, unloaded?
-Depending on miles you may want to check the front suspension for:
-Worn balljoints
-Front wheel bearing adjustment
-bad tie-rod ends
-leaking shocks: a lot of oil down the sides.
-Idler arm bushings
-The steering shock (it could simply be this) ""

-the car has roughly 312000+ miles on it.(dont know when components were changed)
-The rear does not sit much lower than the front.
-the front tie rod ends are unfortunately shot (lots of play).
-every thing is so black on the underside form a leaking muffler that it is impossible to tell oil from soot.
-also i feel all the vibration coming as though the chasis is sitting directly on the rear trailing arms.
-i am not sure if it is psychological but i could swear that she leans a little to the left.