Can anyone explain to me, why is it, when I hit a bump or accelerate really hard it feels like I am driving the Staten Island Ferry (all over the road). I noticed this once before, but know it seems to be more noticable. Pleases tell me what needs to be replaced or repaired!

You need to replace the two links in the rear that are pointed 45 degrees to the direction of travel. A badly aligned rear also can do this.

All the rear control arms should be checked but those two (one on each side) cause the toe and camber to change with changing load.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

My 86 300E did exactly what you described. In addition to the suggestion made by Steve, you should also want to check the subframe mounts. I believe there are posts elsewhere in this forum dealing with subframe mounts.

My mechanic replaced the thrust arms (the links that Steve mentioned in his reply) and the subframe mounts and I replaced the shock absorbers and the problem is more or less fixed. I believe I need to have the rear end aligned to finish that part of the fix altogether.

Folks more educated about this than I may be better able to respond to this, but I believe that the job is also not completed unless the front struts and front-end alignment have been inspected. A loose front end, it would seem to me, would contribute to the loose feeling all around. Maybe someone could also comment on any contribution that the springs might have to the "fish-tailing" effect. I'm considering replacing the springs as well.

David
1986 300E - "Liesl"
107,000 miles

Thanks Steve and Dave,
I'm gonna have this inspected this weekend and hopefully taken care of right away..

I don't know about soft springs making for fishtailing but when test-driving other 190s before my purchase I found one with bad links in the rear and boy was it sketchy on the highway. At 80k miles my 190 is starting to "break-in" back there and I'll notice a little wallow/gyration thing occurring at times (especially over expansion strips where you get an up/down undulation).

Related question: it seems as if the car/suspension is beginning to "crash" over certain types of obstacles (speed bumps, potholes, other sharp-edged nasties). By that I mean they feel harsher than I remember - I think (it's been a gradual thing). Could this be the shocks going away and an indication of bushings getting worn?

Matt

The thrust links are definately the key. When you drive on a bumpy curve the car will skip and buck out of track...not a pleasant experience believe me. A good 4 wheel thrust alignment at a competent store can lessen the problem until you get the links replaced.

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yal
88 230E (W124)
euroheadlights,
clearcorners,
smoke/red tailights
98 e420 sport replicas