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Originally Posted by zhandax
I scheduled next weekend off to do a suspension rebuild on the 300E. The ball joints feel 'lumpy' on wheel lock turns in the parking lot, the brakes are almost shot, and the car spent its life until I got it on Long Island. After driving it down the LIE on the way home, I believe the suspension took a regular beating. Plus I have to pay attention to the sissy speed on the yellow signs on curves. I tried to quickly dodge a piece of garbage on the highway that I saw late one night and it almost felt like one of the wheels rolled under.
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I'm not sure what "ball joints feel 'lumpy'" means, but to check the ball joints you should probably put the front wheels up and check for play in the wheel and at the joint. If the boots are torn on the ball joints or the tie rods, they will need to be replaced. Also check all of the rubber bits in the suspension, including the control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, strut mounts, rear control arms, etc. for cracks, gaps, play. The rubber bits (it's EVERYWHERE) make the car ride great and handle great, but when they wear out, they make the car ride poorly and handle poorly.
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The first question is about Vogtland springs. Although there are tons of posts about Eibach and H&R, a search of Vogtland turned up 10 posts on the entire site. Mervyn says he loves the ones he put on a W126, and ksing44 said
I imagine the camber thing is too good to be true, (does any one know?) but several other posters said they were planning to get or had gotten Vogtlands. Why has no one posted about how they like them? I mean they are made in Germany, one dealer who sells all three claims Vogtlands are the hands-down winner, and they are about $50 cheaper than Eibachs ($220 vs $277 both w/free shipping). Are Vogtland owners a secret fraternity with a superior ride or are they out in the garage saying "why did I do it?"
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Are you planning on lowering the car or are the stock springs sagging? I don't know about the Vogtland springs, if I was going to lower the car I'd probably go with the MB Sportlines instead, since they are progressive rate springs.
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Next are the struts. After reading tons of posts, I am inclined to install Bilstein comforts unless there is something I overlooked which will require the sports. I like the bank vault ride, but want to be able to dodge a loose tire in the road without feeling like I am driving a limo. The car still passes the 'rock the fender' test, but at 120k miles, it seems foolish not to replace the struts/shocks. Are the struts available to replace inside the factory assembly, or are they only available with the assembly?
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If you're going to lower the car, I would use Bilstein sports, since the comforts and the HDs are designed for the travel range of the stock springs. If you're not going to lower the car, the way to test the struts/shocks is to drive over some undulating/curvy roads at moderate speed, and see if the car wallows. 120k is a little early (my '87 went to 270k before I replaced mine), but if the streets are really bad in your area maybe not.
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Next are bushings. I assume I cannot use Sportline sway bar bushings on a stock sway bar because of the 1mm smaller diameter? Which bushings can I replace with Sportline?
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Use the OEM bushings.
Although, if you really are going to replace everything (sounds like you are), I would just go for a full Sportline conversion anyways. The kit sold here has the springs, struts/shocks, sway bars+bushings, front CA bushings, and rear subframe bushings.