I have a pair of Michelin Pilot Primacy tires on the front, and BFG Traction T/A on the rear. The Primacys are quick wearing, the BFG's are not. We have maybe 15,000 mi on all the tires since new. On the front, both tires are wearing badly on the inside to the point of baldness. The passenger front is the worst. On the rear, the wear is on the inside of the tire. Pressures are correct, we normally load the car to near its capacity, mix of highway / in town driving. There are two things we notice: The leveling fluid (it is a wagon) was low, added the correct fluid. In the front, the final swaybar link on the passenger side has the lower mounting screw broken off, so swaybar is not connected tightly. We are going to weld a fix on it soon. With either of the front wheels off the ground, there is virtually no up-down play, but side-side is hard to tell as the steering wheel turns if you turn the wheel.

The car will not pass inspection w/ current tires, but do not want to shell out $$$ if the new tires will be quickly wrecked.

Please help!

Thanks

__________________
________________________
2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 4Matic
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon
2005 Land Rover LR3 V8 SE
1999 Audi A8 4.2L quattro

It is likely that one or more suspension bushings is worn, causing the alignment to go off. Take it to someone who knows Mercedes well and ask them to do an inspection of your suspension and attempt an alignment. Sometimes pieces aren't too badly worn and you will get away with an alignment. More than likely though, you will need a few pieces replaced to snug everything up before an alignment can be properly done. Why would you weld a swaybar link? They are cheap. Replace it.

__________________
'96 C280 (gone)
'97 C36
'05 C230k

like you have mechanical issues. also what do you consider max weight?

before putting on new tires, i recommend a visit to the alignment shop for a complete check up. also have you followed air pressure guidlines?

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The swaybar bracket mounted to the lower control arm on the rf of the car has two studs which protrude. A U-bracket fits over the studs, and the bar passes through the bracket. A rubber bushing holds the bar firmly between the actual bracket with the studs and the U-clamp which goes over the studs and is secured by two nuts. The problem is that the lower stud has sheared off and the bracket is integral to the lower control arm, which is very $$$. I will weld the U-Clamp to the point where the lower stud has broken off. I noticed the problem when I changed the 4 sway bar bushings. The car was recently aligned (when I got the tires) and they noticed nothing in particular on all 4 wheels. The car has 79k miles on it. Tire pressures are correct, set to the pressure listed on the inside of fuel door flap for fully loaded condition. The car basically carries 5 people in it often, not overloaded and not used often to haul cargo.

The suspension seems relatively complex and hard to determine exactly what the problem is. I usually like to do all the work on the car myself to save $$$. Any further ideas, ie which bushings in particular?

It is also possible since adding hydraulic fluid the car is riding better and no longer wearing out the rear tires, but who knows since they are already worn?

Thanks

__________________
________________________
2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 4Matic
1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon
2005 Land Rover LR3 V8 SE
1999 Audi A8 4.2L quattro