johnand

My 07 has started exhibiting a new issue of rocking back and forth just after coming to a full quick stop. It is not excessive, but noticeable. Hell, even my wife noticed it while driving, and barely notices when anything changes the way the vehicle drives. I am suspecting one of 2 things. Either the dampers/shocks are worn at 73K miles, or the front control arm bushings are shot again. (Replaced twice under warranty. Last time at ~45K.) Anyone else have the issue, or thoughts on the cause?

W203E35

Interesting, I noticed this today too but my whole suspension is messed up with a bent rim and to top it off with a broken motor mount

I honestly thought it would be the shocks

Glyn M Ruck

Most likely dampers but it's early for them to go. The castor bushes would require to be in a big mess to cause a rocking motion. You better climb underneath & have a look at the darn things. Splinter has fitted bushes from the W204 - Don't know how they are doing.

W203E35

Benz says to change the dampers at 50k miles. Does this make sense?

Edit:

This was at the benz dealer when I went to see how much the motor mount is. I asked the guy and he said a rule of thumb is 1% get's worn every 1k miles. He says on the sport models especially with bigger wheels it's 2% every 1k so around 50k miles.

Does this make sense or is he full of it? That's why I bought the Renntech shocks

johnand

Glyn, the roads are pretty crappy here, and I have had to replace dampers before 50K on a few rigs in the past. But, the Sachs dampers on the W203, I would think should hit 100K before needing replacement, even with crappy roads

I believe my car has the W204 bushings in it, when they were replaced the 2nd time. I'll crawl under there this weekend and take a good look at everything.

W203E35

Off Topic:

Yesterday here in Los Angeles it was 100 degrees and now it's raining (global warming my butt)

johnand

That still seems excessive to me, but like I said I have had dampers go in less than 50K on other rigs, but on those the OEM dampers were garbage to start. The W203 has decent Sachs dampers that I would think should hit 100K minimum.

W203E35

John, can't you push your car down and see how it comes back up? I heard if it jumps up then shocks are bad. But if it comes up slowly/smoothly then the shocks are good. Is that possible to do?

FrankW

rocking back and forth after coming to a full stop or on it's way to full stop?

a bad engine mount or transmission mount can cause this.

if it's the shock/struts you would just feel more dive when coming to a stop and then it would probably rock back and forth after you stopped.

johnand

Frank, it is AFTER coming to a full stop. I have noticed increased nosedive when braking lately. Looks like it is time for new struts/shocks Just was hoping to make it to 100K before replacement.

TruTaing

Sounds like its time to go low

zerocover

Mine does this all the time.
You guys mean it shouldn't rock when stopping?

IDK I had the struts on my other car go totally bad, like we took them out and they didn't move. It never rocked after a stop. I'm baking on bushings. Where should I look??

Glyn M Ruck

Look for cracks in the side of these silicone fluid filled castor bushes

FrankW

luxury or 4matic suspension does not apply. they are soft to begin with.

LILBENZ230

Really? I'm at 85,000 and no such BS from my car. The roads here aren't exactly stellar, either especially when my car spends time on surface streets in ATL.

These parts should last longer than that.

splinter

Can’t say for certain it’s your dampers from afar, although mine were soft as pillow by 50,000 miles. Bushings had long since headed south, too. Didn’t have a as-new baseline from which to compare, but its former owner was a typical dawdling financial district commuter. Don’t believe she ever let loose the reins, as it was an otherwise close to virgin example.

Somewhat curiously, proactively replacing those same pieces on our former W124 -after 100,000 miles- resulted in no discernible difference. Save for the additional thrust and the camaraderie here, I’d have likely sent our C down river a while ago. At least the IRS continues to accept its accelerated depreciation schedule. Seems they don’t make them as durable as they used to, notwithstanding LILBENZ203’s experiences.

Did you read of Renntech’s (Sachs) F&R pairs recently offered at fire sale prices on eBay? Don’t know if they’re still available.
Failing that, Bilstein and Koni continue to build worthy replacements/upgrades for our chassis, IMHO. Part numbers and appropriate revalving specifications forthrightly shared from my journal of tweaks, should they be of interest.

Trust your SE-R is still treating you well.

Glyn M Ruck

Glyn M Ruck

How are your new bushes splinter?

zerocover

To be honest I prefer a soft and smooth ride. I will note that my old S40 was soo smooth it felt like I was always driving on glass, the benz is actually both a harsher and more floaty ride. Dam I miss that volvo, also I hope there is something terribly wrong with this suspension because if this is what the car was designed to feel like I'm done with MB. (again the dealer found no problems)

Glyn M Ruck

Go drive another one to compare - I too like smooth & my car easily matches an S40 for comfort.

FrankW

have all your suspension bushings checked. that is what is usually causing harsh impact feel over un-even roads. BUT keep in mind MB ride quality has always been firm/harsh to an extend. Volvo on the other hand has always had pretty soft road feel.

Norwichdelta06

did you gain some weight maybe? :op lol j/k but if the car rocks back and fourth it has to be the struts/shocks and nothing else really. The bushings you'll feel more on turns if anything. Like the other guy said the only way to know is to really visually check. ESP a leaking strut/shock is a clear indicator.

splinter

Bushings are holding up well, although seven months and 6,000 miles hardly constitutes adequate durability testing. They have proven considerably less compliant, based upon the tires’ tread wear and their pyrometer readings, yet NVH has remained essentially the same. Certain you recall my aforementioned -and socially embarrassing- deafness; your ‘quiet’ threshold likely substantially differs.

Curious to note MBUSA’s formerly EPC-specified 211 330 11 14 torque strut bushings (for the C32/55) have since been retroactively neutered to lesser hardware. Perhaps warranty claimants heard or felt something untoward? The cross struts’ (single plane/non-articulating) 203 333 09 14 bushings are included when specifying the W203’s latest (retrofitable) replacement 204 330 43 11 (LH) & 204 330 44 11 (RH) hardware. Assuming appropriate dynamic camber can be achieved, there’s not much to be had from MB’s parts bins, as their deflection is, for the most part, acceptable.

Glyn M Ruck

I'm watching mine. Thusfar they are OK. Will try 204 items at next failure.

Glyn M Ruck

Uh oh! - compression damping is on the way out. If she rocks after this the rebound is suspect as well.

SA's roads vary from excellent to awful & I must say Sachs dampers usually hold up better than most.