The creaks and groans coming from my W210 have been identified by my local indie, and according to them it needs the following work done:

Front & rear axles
Front & rear struts
Sway bar bushings

Which of those three are do-able for a DIY-er, and which should I let them do? They've quoted me $2500 to complete these three.

__________________
--
Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

All can be done DIY, shocks are pretty simple and will cause rattles. So will the sway bar bushings.

__________________
With best regards

Al

I assume yours is a non-4matic?

Here are some food for thought:

HELP!! TIPS/DIYS: Chassis, Brakes, Exhaust, Steering, Suspension - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

All of it can be DIYed even the stuff that is not DIY-able.... "If man can make it-Man can fix it".....

Best of luck,

MArtin

The suspension of the W210 (both front and rear) uses a series of rubber bushings. These are wear items and have to be replaced periodically. There are DIY guides several places including the site mentioned.

If by struts, he meant shocks then the front ones are pretty straight forward. The rear uses a hydraulic system and is more complicated. Usually, the accumulators at the rear fail not the shocks themselves. I think rear shocks are going for about $500 ea. So if they're needed the bill might be reasonable.

If it were me, I would start with the bushings and see how much things improve. I think you'll be surprised.

__________________
Good luck.






1998 E320 Wagon

I have a 4matic sedan, so I wasn't sure how many online diy guides would be specifically for that model. I'll take a look at the benzworld link though, maybe there's 4matic specific information there.

__________________
--
Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

I doubt that the either the axles or the struts would creak or groan. The sway bar bushings could make noise. I assume you have a 4matic, since the standard suspension doesn't have struts. You should have lower ball joints on the front that can make noise, as can rubber bushings which are common on the front and rear suspension. I don't feel his diagnosis is really related to the noises you mentioned. You may need all those things, but I would get a second opinion.

__________________
'97 E 300 D

I was hoping that some of them would be, but I can never tell if the online guides are also going to work with my 4matic. I'll do some more research tonight and maybe I can find 4matic specific ones.

__________________
--
Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

Steven,

Spring compressor is very special for the 4-matic. Check your CV joints while your there too. My 02 E320 4Matic Wagon with 150Kmiles needs CV joints, but not badly. Something rattles in mine too, I think it's CAT shields.

I changed my accumulators last year, and make sure you use the Mercedes hydraulic fluid. The rubber components you use German or American made. Many Chinese manufactures hide with a European name like "URO" parts-complete junk. If you ever change a flex disk ONLY use Fresh Mercedes one from the dealer-No ebay ones.


Best of luck,

Martin

It was little 4Matic stuff like this that I was looking out for - thanks!

CV boots were suggested by the indie also.

Thanks everyone for the information!

__________________
--
Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

Steven,

You are welcome. Here are some threads with meat on them I've accumulated over time as my day is coming(or I'm there already, and I do not know it-CV boots are okay so far!) to do a full rebuild of my suspension.

2001 E320 4matic front drive axle replacement - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Front CV Boots for 4Matic - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Front Wheel bearing replacement - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

CV axle replacement on 2000 E320 4Matic - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Best of luck,

Martin