My 87 300D has developed an odd problem - at speeds above about 45mph, it tends to sway back and forth a bit. As if a really strong cross wind is blowing. If you let go of the wheel, you can watch it rotate about 5 degrees left and right, as if its following the road grooves.

I've recently had the right front tie rod end replaced as it was squeeking but that didnt fix the swaying problem. I took it back to the alignment shop and they went over the front and rear axle for several hrs. They said things are worn but not in need of immediate replacement and alignment is within spec.

I went over all 4 corners today. The rear axle is tight, all the links and the ball joint seem OK. I recently replaced the front upper link on the rear, the rest are fine.

On the front - I found 2 things :

1. The upper strut bushing is cracked, but it has always been since I 1st bought the car in 06. I lifted up the front wheels and chocked the brake pedal so the wheels couldnt move, then put a long breaker bar w/17mm on the lug nuts and applied some torque to the wheels. The strut bushings didnt budge, caster stayed true up to about 200 lb-ft.'

2. At that much torque, I did notice the lower control arms moved a little bit at the inner bushings. Maybe 1/32" max on the the front CA rear bushing, 1/64" on the front CA front bushing. Both sides did same thing. The bushings are in there, they just looked cracked and worn. I donno, thats grasping at straws if thats causing all this...

Its kinda tough to drive it on the hwy like this so I want to get this solved before selling it.

Any tips/comments would be appreciated. Could a bad steering dampener be causing this? It looks original.

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Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

What about this... Steering dampner/stabilizer
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=20761
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=188188

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

I would check out the links in the rear suspension. They are much more wear prone than the front.

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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.

The thrust link is the one that seems to be the most prone to failure, but on my money pit I got the greatest return by replacing the camber links.

Jay.

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On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

I did, the rear is tight. Some links recently repl. back there.

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

OK more looking tonight...

rear end. The left rear upper front link loose at the wheel knuckle. This is the 1 I replaced a few months ago. Odd...retightened. Otherwise, ALL links in the back on left and right are A-OK. Subframe bushings are fine as well. Nothing seems out of ordinary on the rear end. Perhaps the shocks are worn a bit, but it doenst bounce and no cupping on tires.

front end. pulled the steering damper off. compresses tight, you can hear fluid moving in it. Requires about 10-20 lbs force to compress fully. It moves the other way very quick, until the fluid equalizes then its about the same stiffness moving back other way. This thing looks originial, dont know if those symptoms mean its bad or not. I cant believe this silly thing does much. The steering gear on this car looks like its from a Mack truck.

Last, checked tire pressure. Front 45 psi...cold... at tire shop. Those idiots plug an air line in and probably never check pressure. Rear 40 psi. Brought front/rear down to 32 psi. Its probably driving on the crown of the tire, hell when they are hot its probably pushing 50 psi

We;ll see if any of this makes difference tomorrow.

A friend of mine has graciously offered his services at a MB repair shop on the north end. It will go in there on Wednesday and they will also have a look.

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

I was wondering if the steering damper might be hiding the presence of a broken belt in a tire at lower speeds. If you cannot find another cause swapping the back wheels for the front may or may not be worth the effort. The semi constant back and forth movement seems peculair otherwise.

Also check for a bent rim. Also check the front wheel bearings for play. Probably none of these things but they should be eliminated as a possibility.

The loose torque link and over inflated tires was the issue. It drives much better now!

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

I had swaying at highway speeds especially on grooved pavement and clunks on small bumps. I just replaced my swaybar bushings that were all hard and deformed. The difference is night and day! Now it handles like a MBZ should. Worth a try considering how cheap they were and the job only took me an hour. Just use a little soapy water or lube to get the new ones on. Hope that helps!

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1984 190d 2.2 Greasecar Kit. Running Wvo for 25K
1993 300D 2.5T Black on Black. Soon to be Greasy!

was that on a 124 (regarding sway bar bushings) ?

front or rear or both?

My front bushings look worn, maybe I should replace. The sway bar is also off center for some reason. Probably from scraping parking island. I should recenter it and replace bushings.

Thanks for tip, I wouldnt have thought swaybar bushings would cause the issue but it got alot better when I tightened down the torque link. It could always be better tho!

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !