and i dont care for struts much either.

one other thing is that at the top of the strut there is a large bearing that will allow the entire strut to rotate. at the bottom it all rotates on the ball joint.

on a benz the struts have the springs mounted beside the strut as bobby noted above. this simplifies the removal of the strut by eleminating the need to deal with the spring (i think) ( i have never been brave enough to change one myself).

on a strut suspension it all bears on the sheet metal of the car, so if you get rust there the whole thing begins to poke up through the bearing parts of the sheet metal. this is a common failure point on bmw 2002 and other models of that era.

they are also used on lots of porsches so i couldn't say they work poorly for handling.

and you dont have struts on a 126.

tom w

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[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.