The MB perch design has several defects. The metal is only .045". Based on 10% rule you could only have .0022" rust on both sides. That's less than the thickness of a piece of paper. The perch is a stamped part which creates serious stresses in the metal that accelerate corrosion. MB put the spring inboard to reduce sprung mass so that the force on the spring and perch is 4 times the weight on the tire. The 4 spot welds used distroy any antirust treatment on the parent metal. The thinnest metal is around the spot welds. I just got back from the EAA Fly In at Oshkosh. Why do you think 99% of airplane metal is connected with rivets and not welds? MB let a gap between the wheel well and the Perch so that salt can get down behind it. The sealant they used was too thick and only created a cavity for the salt to get trapped in. It is impossible to inspect the part to determine if it is safe by eye. MB has not fixed my 1998 yet nor has MB provided the dealer with how to fix it. I think that I would feel safer if they used rivets. In aviation, we dip the rivets in epoxy before they are installed.

i'm bringing this topic back up top... because now i'm scuuured to buy this '98 e320w.

i've read cases where MBUSA has warranteed the damage, and other cases where they didn't. is the decision mostly based on mileage? and if i do have a 135K car, i'd be totally SOL? I was under the impression that they'd repair this under rust protection which would be at least a 10 year warranty? hence i didn't worry about it too much... i mean, the car would be a 3rd car, and a beater, i wouldn't mind if it goes out of commission 30+ days...

I had the local MB rep check out my car a couple months back. Had 188k on the car and they said no thanks. It is from wear and tear on an almost 10 year old vehicle. My undercarriage is in excellent condition, considering it came from a northern climate. there is a small rust spot on the passenger rear lower control arm, the catalytic convertor and the passenger front spring perch. The mechanics had a look of disbelief, that the car was from the north. My car was in excellent condition on top of that. I explained to the rep that this is unacceptable and she said thanks but no thanks to my claim. Got a letter from MB stating the same. She recommended a local shop to handle it though. If I didn't love the car so much I would have dumped it a long time ago. F*** MB with their corrosion warranty crap. Just my $0.02

so.... did anyone ever contact the NHTA? State Attorney General? BBB? Anyone ever get documentation for Canada? You'd think if there was a recall up there there would be some govermental record of it that we could pass along to agencies around here? Anyone ever take MB to small claims court about it?

Answer:
 

:confused: Many have reported this issue, it is well documented.

W210 DANGEROUS FLAW please read
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/bodywork-repair-paint-tools-tips-tricks/147997-w210-dangerous-flaw-please-read-crosslinked-post-1-all-topic-data.html

Spring Perch
 

W124 SPRING PERCH = Front Spring Bracing
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-parts-reference-library/182374-w124-spring-perch-%3D-front-spring-bracing.html


W202 SPRING PERCH = Front Spring Bracing
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-parts-reference-library/182419-w202-spring-perch-%3D-front-spring-bracing.html


W210 SPRING PERCH = Front Spring Bracing
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-parts-reference-library/182420-w210-spring-perch-%3D-front-spring-bracing.html





ALL PART QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME:

Just adding to the info already here.

On the spring perch issue, I just got a fax of all the old service records for my E430 (I recently purchased it, I am the third owner). Car was serviced regularly at the MB dealer in Toronto, Canada.

In 2002, the car had a service performed - "Check and repair both seam sealer on front spring support". There is a dealer 'op code' of 023411 listed for this service. There is also a labor amount listed but it has been blacked out since I was not the owner at that time.

So, mine have been inpected and repaired if required. Good to know. Sad that this is required on such a major structural component.

spring perch
 

Thinking of looking at a local 1996 e300d with 232,000 miles. However, after reading this thread, I think I will pass on the car. Sounds really dangerous. Just went through a similar experience with a 1994 saab 9000. I bought the car, found that the rear shock towers (totally hidden from view) were rusted out. Fortunately, the seller agreed to take the car back.

This sort of thing can happen with any car. Probably well under 10% of the RWD 210's are affected. It is not something on which to base your purchasing decision.

There is both a documented inspection and repair procedure in place for these. The inspection procedure involves the removal of the spring and all of the mastic covering, which I do not think any of the dealers actually do. That is one of the reasons that so many of them go undetected. The repair procedure calls for the new perch to be riveted instead of welded. It's a good fix but costly. If you like the car you can have it inspected the right way and if found faulty have it fixed. It won't break your bank.

The other interesting thing to note is not a single case could be found of any accident or injury caused by the failure of the spring perch. It seems most of the time they fail during slow speed turning, like turning into a parking space. I theorize that as the control arm bushings wear and the spring then twists slightly as the wheels turn is what causes the failure of the perch spot welds which are weakened by the rust problems. Plus, it is not like the wheel comes off or you cannot turn it...it is like a spring breaking, the wheel drops down but the upper and lower control arms are still attached to the car so it's not like it can come off or you cannot steer.

Personally I let my dealership inspect the car annually. So far my car has passed every time. How many more years will it pass? I don't know but I can't complain if I get to say 200K miles and need to spend $1000 or so to have the perches repaired. Right now I am over 150K and the car just passed inspection again.

OK, I took your advice and went $s in hand to the dealer after work today but it was already sold. Someone got a great deal.

To all: The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) just completed an investigation on the coil springs and spring perch failure in E class Mercedes build years 1997-1999. (Report completion Aug 9, 2007). The Action Number is PE07021 and the report can be viewed at NHSTA's site. There is no recall to date; however, the more people register complaints at the same site or at the hotline number 800-327-4236, the faster MB might move to issue a recall.

I Have A 97 E300 And The Spring Perch Went. I Had Work Done At My Shop And Inspected By Mb They Paid Half Of The Repair. I Sent In A Report To Nhtsa But Never Got A Report From Them.

I couldn't find the report on their site, if anyone knows how to access it or can provide a direct link please do.

Just looked at the NHSTA page for this and it also includes the '96 models.

I've got a '96 E320 and have had both spring perches fail now. I posted about it in the other thread here, with pictures: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/bodywork-repair-paint-tools-tips-tricks/147997-w210-dangerous-flaw-please-read-crosslinked-post-1-all-topic-data-3.html

nhdoc: Enter the Action Number (PE07021) into the search on this page: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/defectsearch.cfm