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  #1  
Old 01-18-2005, 08:00 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 146
Getting the 300E back to snuff

Hello everyone. I have a '93 300E that has barely been driven for the past 18 months or so (fortunately it's been covered in a garage when not being driven). It basically gets used every few weeks for a little bit. I'm likely going to be driving it regularly in the next six months or so and want to fit it up a bit before doing so.

Basically, it feels sorta worn out. I replaced the shocks with Bilsteins and replaced the steering damper about 50,000 miles ago and the thrust arms about 30,000 miles ago. Otherwise, the suspension is stock. I'm going to get new tires soon; the old ones are worn.

I'm really looking to get that tight-handling feeling back; right now the car has difficulty tracking well at freeway speeds, and just feels "loose" for lack of a better term. I'm tempted to just do an entire Sportline suspension upgrade, but that seems a bit extreme. Even though it would be nice.

Any suggestions for what should be replaced? Where do I start? Thanks in advance for your help.

-Mike

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  #2  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:13 PM
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I think rear thrust arms will solve your loose feeling at freeway speeds.
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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #3  
Old 01-18-2005, 09:17 PM
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Also, even though you have a 300E, it is safer to title your threads 300E 3.2 or 300E 2.8 or 320E or E320.

You have a 1993 300E, which is really an E320 without the proper badge. Mercedes changed the chassis in 1993 to 124.032, but didn't change the badge until the next year, 1994.

124.032's have a lot of differences than 1986-1992 300E's, including the engine, brake rotor size, etc.

For the rear thrust arms and other issues relating to your car, there is a very knowledgeable member here named Arthur Dalton. He has a 1995 E320, and has posted extensively on troubleshooting issues relating to your car.

Do a search on all of his posts.
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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #4  
Old 01-18-2005, 11:47 PM
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Thanks for the feedback. I'll be sure to check his posts.

Since I already did thrust arms, do you think they need to be done again? When I replaced them it improved things a bit but not as much as I had hoped.
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  #5  
Old 01-19-2005, 12:44 AM
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A few things are mentioned in this thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=113043
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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #6  
Old 01-19-2005, 02:43 AM
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Change the front and rear sway bar bushings. Easy to do, not expensive and tightens up the overall handling.

Also check the condition of the idler arm bushings, harder to do but also returns the on-center steering response.

Check the front wheel bearings: shake the tops of the fornt wheels and look for a loose rocking sound. Check and adjust.

Haasman
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'91 300E-Went to Ex
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  #7  
Old 01-19-2005, 11:46 AM
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I'd also check the steering damper and tie rod ends.
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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #8  
Old 02-25-2005, 09:50 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boca Raton Florida
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Just replaced tie rod arms , center link , lower balljoints, and 2 new struts , car drives as tight as it did as new , was going to do the damper but mine seemed in decent condition allthough might change it next oil change

well worth the time

all at a cost of 148 dollars excluding the struts from worldpac

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