I checked the alignment marks and they are correctly aligned per the Haynes book and it makes sense BTW. Guess I'll have to order a rear damper kit and see if that does the trick.
As to the electrical problem, I tightened the grounds behind the instrument cluster as my manual pointed there. Do Mercedes shops hire small children to do this kind of work? There is no room at all. I was going to remove the wires and sand-paper or wire brush all the ring connectors but with the severely limited space/access I opted for just loosening and tightening the nuts and will see if my problem is eliminated.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Jerry