barreled4ever

Looks like I have to replace my front struts...as my front tires were cupped really bad. I was having major vibrations from 60mph+....thought it was a balance/alignment issue...until I the tire guy noticed my fronts....

My car only has 46k miles on it. Is it normal for these shocks to go so quickly?

I hate the ride height on the car..as I have 18's on it...the front looks horrible.

I was wondering what you recommend for front shock replacements...but maybe lowering the car as well? Coilovers? New shocks and lowering springs???

Help appreciated.

mleskovar

Strut/caster bushes are a common problem and can match your symptoms. No it's not normal for the shocks to go. I'm on my third set of bushings and they seem to be holding well.

samaritrey

That does seem early my shocks did not start having issues till around 140k.

hcoronado

I changed mine at 60k but that was only 'cause I added the H&R springs and went with KONI adjustable shocks.

Silver C

Your shocks should last longer, but that again depends on how and where you drive.

If you intend to lower your car, get some preowned ss springs or eibach pro kit as they lower about the same height.

enap66

So I'm having my struts done on Friday. I was told that there is possibly a canister of sorts, a tube or something in the front that will cost me extra for labor. Has anyone come across this tube? I'd like to get an answer now so I'm not at the mercy of some mechanic telling me the car had it, even if it didn't, to make an additional $89 in labor. Can someone give me the scoop on this? Do the front struts on a 2004 C240 have this added canister or tube that will cost me more in labor? Anyone whose changed their own struts remember? Thanks!

Carsy

The lower the profile of the tyres the more stress on shockabsorbers & other suspension components.

enap66

No, 46k miles and bad struts isn't normal. I don't think it's the struts. What did the guy say that made you think it's the struts? Unless you blew them out or one side out, it's not the struts. I would check to see if a weight fell off the tire. That happened to me and the car shook at around 65mph. Alignment? I'd go with those before replacing the struts. When I knew I needed struts, I knew because the right side was leaking. Is yours leaking?

As far as the other questions go, I'm sorry but I don't have a solution or have any advice. I can only say that Pepboys gives a good deal. $176.99 for each side (plus labor of either $139 or $139+$89 for some tube in the strut???) and right now, there is an additional rebate, plus 10% off so in total, it's gonna cost me about $400 for new front struts. They're monroe struts. Not a bad deal.

Rev 2 Liv

Are you referring to the strut cap bearing? At 70k, I noticed that 3 out of 4 Springs had crack at the bottom, caster and thrust arm bushings were shot and the struts felt a bit bouncy.

I ended up redoing the entire front end with Koni's, springs, strut bearing caps, thrust arm, caster arm, sway bar links and bushings.

ride00

I dont know if you can get this over at your end but over here
a set of Eibach pro-kit plus Bilstein B8 do wonders to most of
the Mercs. Heres how my 208 looks after the transformation...
I am using #3 spring rubber seats for both front & rear.