I've brought my 97 c230 for 60,000 miles service, on the report there are few items the dearlership recommend to either replace or fix. I don't quite understand what the parts/items for, so i really need your help because they sounded so seriously!

1. Belt Tensioner and shock noisy. Recommend to replace - Labor 1.5 Hour.
2. LCA Bushings Cracked. Recommend to replace (labor 4.5 hours)and alignment (labor 1.4 hours).
3. All 4 door CK straps Noisy. Recommend to replace- Labor 6.4 Hours.

Can you please help me to understand the terms listed above? the dearlership doesn't seemed like doing a good job in explaining the receommendation to me.

thanks

1.) Could be; wouldn't let it go if true.
2.) would have to see it first to believe it @ 60K miles. Any front end noise or symptoms? What"s your geographic location?
3.) Do you have gorillas as passengers? I thought not. Sounds like a BLATANT overdiagnosis and money generator.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

#1 easy to do, buy the part and do a search here and do it yourself.

1. Does your belt rattles or makes noise. The tensioner causes that problem most of the time, specially if it is the orginal.
2. LCA=Lower control arm. Is your suspension making any noises? How does it drive? If it is cracked, change it soon.
3. Door check straps are the mechanism that controls the "swing" of your doors when you open or close them. Do they make noise when you open or close. The part is about $12 a piece. Check the DIY article on top of this page. It has pictures.
If you are out of warranty, I would highly recommend to look for a honest MB independant mechanic. Don't go to the dealership unless if the last resource $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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J.H.
'86 300E

I live in southern california, Los Angeles County.

1. How do you check for belt tensioner? do I press the belt to see if it is tie enough? I have pushed down the front end hard to test the shock and the car bounced back instantly without excess swing.

2. I don't hear any funny noise from front end, just the tire noise because I have plus size tire installed. (225/45zr17)

3. LCA Bushing crack issue, is it easy to replace? how about the parts, expensive? any dangerous if i don't replace it for a while (1-2 month?)

4. as for the door issue, when I open the door wide, I can hear a click sound, is it the CK straps failure?

thanks

Most of the time on this engine when the belt is making noise only the shock is bad. The rubber bushings in the shock get play and make a rattling type noise. I have seen lower control arm bushings go bad well before 60k miles.The labor they are telling you for repairs is resonable.This is not a DIY job.Requires special tools and alignment after replacing bushings. The labor they want for the door check straps seems high.

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Mercedes Benz Master Tech - Retired

With those tires you could need bushings yearly! But the tires will make so much noise and drive so bad that why bother fixing the bushings? They won't make a dent in the ride quality that has already been compromised

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician