I've got a '94 E320 with 120K.

I'm wondering if its possible that marginal strut wear can cause instability while drivig through crosswinds.

While the car rides striaght and true at at all speeds in calm air, in crosswinds and gusts it feels like a force is pushing down on the windward fender in a direction toward the front crossmember causing lateral instability.

Is it possible that my struts are tired and cannot react appropriatly enough to the crosswinds to the point that the camber is changing beyond spec?

(here's the rambling, whiney - what should I do part)

As far as the car's behavior over dips and bumps, I have no relative comparison to what a Benz ride should be. With dips and humps in the road, I suspect that the car could be firmer. But, It definitly is not bouncing down the road like a Chevy Citation on origional shocks. So, do the struts on these cars gradually wear to the point where crosswind instability becomes a factor? Or is it a situation where "if the struts were bad, you'd know it."

Also, Over the winter, an indy (great guy) performed an alignment that calmed the problem down a bit. He said all suspension components were fine. I'd go back, but he's just too far. I'm just trying to get as much of the R&R done myself before I have the alignment that will make the car drive the way it was designed.

Thanks all.

Geoff