W210 Spring Perch Failure - Please read.
 

:MODERATOR EDIT ADDING DATA LINK:
W210 DANGEROUS FLAW please read (crosslinked in post #1 to all on topic data)
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/bodywork-repair-paint-tools-tips-tricks/147997-w210-dangerous-flaw-please-read-crosslinked-post-1-all-topic-data.html
:MODERATOR EDIT ADDING DATA LINK:


While backing out of a parking space last weekend, my front right spring perch failed. There was a huge BANG!! and the front of my car dropped to the ground. A portion of the spring was recompressed between the body and the pavement.

The car has never been in an acccident and has always been in SE PA. I spoke thoroughly with the previous (one) owner about the car before I bought it, did a car fax report, and had it inspected at my local MB specialist before purchase.

In the attached pictures you will see rust that developed between the spring perch and the body. No rust was ever apparent by visual inspection due to the sealant used by Mercedes around the perch.

I am thankful that I was the only person in the car at the time of failure. My wife, 2 year old and 4 week old were on the highway in the car the morning that this happened. Were this failure to have occured then, I hate to think what could have happened to my family and prehaps other's.

It goes without saying that this is a significant quality issue. Mercedes is aware of this issue but has yet to release a recall notice. Additionally, they to date, have no plans to do so.

I would advise all W210 owners to have there perches inspected by a competent body shop. However, due to the location of the rust being between the perch and the body, I can think of no way that either a visual inspection or even a stress test would ensure proper integrity.

...

Jeez! :eek:

My w124 has been through 18 winters of road salt and what not. And at the latest inspection the guy 'probed' all around my spring perches/mounts (with a pointed hammer) and told me they were like brand new!

On a '96 MB this is a major quality issue!

Freestyler

Slowmoe,

What year is your car?

'96 E300

I would'nt mind seeing some more photos of the spring perch, from other angles if you would'nt mind.

I would be talking to a Mercedes zone rep and or an attorney, that would not have been just a broken car had it happened at hiway speed............

William Rogers.........

More pics..

I hope you will gather up all your pictures and infomation and forward it to the NHTSA. Your data is the sort of thing that gets recalls rolling.

Have seen that on another 1996 E320 & heard about 2 others.
THAT should never happen even on a 50 year old car let alone a 8 year old car!!

I've seen tons of 210 spring perches collapse. I live in the salt belt so winters really take their toll. This is a common failure and should be a point of inspection on all 210's (regardless of year). You can get MB to pay for this if you speak with the right people (I would start at the dealership level, though). It's pretty scary stuff.

Not to thread hi-jack, but it's also pretty common for 140 springs to just break.

This happened to my 1998 E-300 (out of Warranty ) and Mercedes payed for the whole repair, aS THEY SHOULD HAVE.

Happened to me, too, no goodwill!!!
 

I had this happen to me, too. 1999 E300, 155K miles. 3 Hours from home.

No goodwill due to the mileage. I'm still waiting for the district rep.

:mad:

Goodwill Extended to me.
 

Well, got the car back, finally. (Delays mostly due to my travel schedule).

No charge. Not much conversation with the service people either. I must have a black flag in my file.

Had to pay for rental car though.

later.

Does anyone have the MB code/sku for this job? I was looking through the records for my new to me 210 and found a goodwill record at a cost of @ 1000$ but it doesn't say what it's for.