Guys,

Have a problem with one of my front shocks.

Euro RHD 1991 300D

Seems like the rh shock is shot, like bouncing on the car on that side is a lot easier than on the other side which seems a lot stiffer.

I suspect the shock is fubar'ed as i can do a right turn going up a hill and the wheel scrapes on the arch. (example multy story car park) whereas the car turns left and there is no problems.

also i can run my hand quite freely on the left hand wheel not touching the arch and my hand gets stuck on the right hand side if i do the same there.

IVe heard that if the shock fails then it leaks oil? I had this on one of my rear shocks and replaced that asap. But there is no oil coming from the supposed worn shock.

If i was to get a new shock for this side am i right in thinking that the problem will go away?

What can make a shock seem faulty.

i know this sounds off its head but its the only way i can explain the problem im having

hope you can help

Liam

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1992 "j" reg MB E300 3.0L diesel

The struts do not alter ride height much, whether dead or working. Think of it this way; you can completely compress a strut with your bare hands. I would guess they provide less than 60 lbs of lift when new.

Check for a broken spring or spring mount.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

By arch I am thinking the arch of the spring ???

On U.S. models, the passenger side spring comes MUCH closer to the strut than the drivers side - for reasons that I don't know.

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Brian Toscano

thing is though this car has had 30mm bilstein springs already installed. and they are fine.

what im wondering about the shock on that side is the upward movement of the wheel turning right up a gradient causes the wheel to scrape the arch (fender) lip.

if the shock was doing its job properly then the sudden upward movement would absorb the impact.

S&R motors near i live have actually put together a 5 bump for me on this side to try to raise the car along with a 4 bump on the other side. this worked for a while and im back to square one now. i think the shock is dead.

its got to be. i can turn left with no problems at all.

The strut does act as the upper pivot point for the steering. I imagine it is possible for it to wear to such an extent that there is slop between the piston and the case.

Try jacking it up under that control arm, grasp the wheel at Noon and 6:00, and rock it to check for play. Perhaps something is worn or maladjusted the such an extent that your camber is way off, allowing tire to contact fender lip.

There is a bump stop on the strut that should normally prevent contact even if the strut bottoms. I suppose this could be damaged or missing.

Also, if you have oversize wheel or tires the clearance could be even tighter.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.