Worn Rear Tires 1991 420 Sel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MJCIZME · #1 07-12-2007, 07:09 PM

Just wondering if anyone has had a problem with the rear tires wearing badly on the inner treads?

I can't take my car on long trips because the tires seem to get too hot and blow out after a long distance...like 400 miles of straight driving.

I know that when I go over a sharp bump in the road, I hear a banging noise coming from the rear of the car, but when I am accelerating hard and hit a bump (like coming out of a driveway going over a gutter)...there is a loud banging noise from the rear of the car that sound horrible....as if something is hitting the body of the car.

I have a feeling that there are worn bushings. It also has this terrible bounce in the rear end if I'm on the highway...depending on the dips in the road...it will bounce enough to scrape the tailpipe.

hhhmmmmm

waybomb · #2 07-12-2007, 08:56 PM

If you are not mechanically inclined and don't know how to fix this now, I would not drive it until you can afford to have a shop fix it.

If it is banging that much and the tires are wearing like that, you have big problems that could cause an accident and hurt you or somebody else or both.

okc329 · #3 07-12-2007, 09:10 PM

and have the suspension components checked at the same time. Dealer should charge about $100 for this.

waybomb · #4 07-12-2007, 09:16 PM

I would not take a 16 year old car to any dealer. Unless you have a bottomless pit of money.

A recomended Indy will do the work needed for a lot less money.

Hatterasguy · #5 07-12-2007, 10:33 PM

Your rear suspension is shot, its commen on older MB's. Have a shop fix it its probably a number of worn parts.

I wouldn't bother with an alighnment, if the rear tires are wearing that badly all you have to do is look at the car to know something is up.

I'd start with new:
Rear shocks
springs and shims
diff mount
sway bar bushings and links.

Then take it from there, some of the subframe bushings are probably worn as well.

t walgamuth · #6 07-13-2007, 05:05 AM

I agree that there are worn parts at least and that an alignment is not going to help until those parts are replaced.

But I would not assume that all parts just be replaced wholesale, I would get it appraised by a competent shop to see what needs replaced.

Tom W

jhodg5ck · #7 07-13-2007, 11:06 AM

Rear suspension on a 91 420 isn't adjustable..they make some repair shims that give you a degree or less of adjustablitly but installing them is a major undertaking.

Otherwise agreed, it sounds as though your whole rear suspension is in need of an overhaul. I'm wagering the car sits very low in the rear and the rear wheel camber is frightfully aggressive.

Jonathan

david s poole · #8 07-13-2007, 11:15 AM

owning one of those cars myself,you will find the following: new shocks,new rubber pads on top of springs,new rear subframe mounts.about $500 at a competent independent shop.then of course some new tires.

MJCIZME · #9 07-16-2007, 02:01 PM

Just wanted to thank everyone for thier inputs!

My gut feeling is that the rear end is worn. I already replaced the front and rear shocks, and there are no alignment adjustments on rear suspension. I've already taken it in for an alignment. This has been an ongoing problem since I've owned the car. As long as I do not take it on long trips...it's fine. The car sits normally and still rides nice...so it's difficult to visually see a problem.

Since I have recently moved to Northern California (san francisco)...I'm still in search of a reasonable and trustworthy mechanic.