It's a 1985 which means it's 24 years old which means of course it needs a complete suspension rebuild. The rubber could easily have been gone 10 years ago.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I second that.


However, I've never rebuilt any of ours and they all drive pretty well. Not perfect, but plenty well.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Are you saying that the rubber, while showing zero signs of breakdown, could still be "bad"? That seems unlikely.

Shouldn't it be cracked, shrunk, extra hard, etc...?

Also, my own after-action suspension inspection shows a few MB replacement parts, and the previous owner took excellent care of his vehicles. It's entirely possible that quite a few of the age-related suggested parts could have already been replaced.

__________________
A.S.E Tech A1,A6,A7,A8 & MVAC 609 + EPA 608

Unless stated otherwise, any question I ask is about my greymarket 1985 380SEL.

I agree. Of course it is never wrong to replace old parts but not always strictly necessary. I use a policy of replacing the ones that are worn out and keeping the ones in service that are not.

Some shops are reluctant to do it this way but the shop I use is willing to work with me on it. As a result I have been their customer for over 20 years.

__________________
[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.