280SE 4.5 Ride Quality

So..my 1972 280SE 4.5 rides great on the hwy at speed and handles like a demon. Starts to shimmy and shake around 72 though. Around town however, it rides like an empty UPS step van on it's rims. I've never been in another one that was sorted so I don't know the ride feel. What I do know is it's awful.

Of course components are worn out and tired. I've replaced sub frame mounts, motor mounts, steering components, steering box, new tires etc. All this needed doing anyway and contribute to the overall "feel" and safety of the car. Shocks seem fine, no bounce, no leaks.

My question is, where do I start to restore the ride quality to where it should be? King pins, bushings, coil springs?? What will give me the most initial bang for the buck as I slowly replace components?

Anyone with experience in this area that can share would be a great help.

Many thanks!

STS

[Aaron]

Steve,

Start with the front end rebuild. Control arm kits, kingpin kits, coil springs and the like. It gets to be a messy job but the results are oh so wonderful! Have your shock absorbers been replaced? I recently renewed the ones in my 280SE (BOGE heavy duty) and it rides great. Of course next spring I'm readying myself for the front end job.

The most expensive parts will be the control arm kits, I think upper-inner being the target ones. Next will be the coil springs. The king pins aren't as bad. And remember to lube those zerks every 3,000 miles!

Many Thanks! I'll pack the zerks next weekend.

STS