NYFlapjack2

Took a few moments today as I had time to make sure the buggy was road worthy for pending trip plans....oh well didn't need to pull a wheel to see this...

Long time symptom and from rusted ends, this noise forever every day commuting on this 1 particular left 90 degree left turn with a small bump.

Maybe I could look at as I took a coil out to lower it without any wrenching...Anyhow off to zip code 20178 for Memorial weekend 2 weeks... either fix it this weekend of screw it drive it as usual.......friggen NYSI is up end of May and POPO has the uncanny presence to road block the streets I drive then and find me almost the day after I'm due....so one way or the other this is gonna cost me!

Have full tools, lift and hot knife at my disposal...is there such a thing as a loaded strut available? OEM = OK for me ...old man, drives like a old man and loves the 25 city 32 highway this econo box MB returns, yet when placing the yellow triangle on...the Kompressor boost is a blast too...searching the web now...of course forum suggestions accepted.

HEY just thought this one.... From Syracuse to Havre DeGrace MD you got some sweet used parts you wanna unload ...PM me....!!!

FrankW

Might not want to drive on that. Usually a lot of springs for sale in classified.

Hogger

Did you say you cut a coil without taking the strut off the car?

91RS

Yeah, I wouldn't drive on that for sure.

ALLDATAdiy INFO

You are going to damage the strut, and need to replace the whole assembly if you drive on it.

NYFlapjack2

I am thinking it's been broken for quite some time, I never really bothered to jack it up and look. I agree it probably isn't great to drive on it and it probably will damage strut (or has) so I have a low mileage used strut complete with spring on the way now...

So is it a basic swap? Any advice...to try to keep it in alignment tricks?

(Those who haven't counted the thread turns or masking taped marked a tie rod end in a R&R may cast the 1st stone).

Glyn M Ruck

That's been broken for a while & there is no sign of strut damage/leak.

You ideally need to replace both front springs with new ones or springs of similar age. Springs settle on these cars & the W203 has no perch pads on the front to set ride height. If you only replace 1 spring your car could list to one side.

Depending on mileage I would replace castor bushes and sway bar links at the same time.

I would then have a proper alignment done.

You can DIY - There is an excellent DIY & strut bearing replacement by splinter that shows you how with WIS decuments. Spring compression & removal - the lot!

NYFlapjack2

I drive all the time without my radio on and solo, I swear I am very much in tune with the car and its noises. It really isn't squawking. One reason I never noticed…. it still sits normal and looks fine. I tape measured side to side Wednesday PM. Currently as it sits LH side "broken" it is less than 1/2" off of level side to side. It really is only the flattened last turn to where it spiral coil ramps up where it has broke.

I do understand the ideal dual matched set replacement thoughts. I am kind of in a hurry, did a buy it now off eBay Wednesday PM way late after hours as I want to replace it before my vacation trip plans with it mid next week. My car only has 83,000 miles and the replacement coming out of a wreck only has 88,500 on it. When I found this cheap listing $80 ($65 part +15 S&H) I went for it, asked them to ship it right away and now a Saturday delivery is planned per the Fed Ex web tracking provided. I can see why they have over 99.5% approval and 5000+ feedback.

I for sure will search the user name "splinter" and a more direct DYI thanks for that advice. OK GO FED EX…

NYFlapjack2

So far was cake, did at home with floor jack ... thanks to the other posts-DIY's.

Awaiting FedEx which tracking says its on truck out for delivery now ...please please.. : )

With Vice Grips and a hammer I was able to remove the broke coil out from being kinda trapped under the rest of the spring and base. Now my NAPA brother tells me he's seen / heard of coil breaks (not specific MB's) where the coil end gets out into the tire sidewall...quite a mess then.

YEAH while I was bored & vacuuming it out putzing... @ 1:00 FedEx strolls up ... < 1 hour later all done off the stands, cleaned up and off to put it thru its paces on a varied condition road test. Looking for bumps, jump, pulling hard corners and flat out highway cruise up to (XXX = illegal) all looking good. Tracks straight, smooth, no noises, and final height wheel arch measurements on both sides with in an 1/8" at 26.5" inches.

Thanks everyone, $80 repair DIY made possible because of you.

Glyn M Ruck

Good news!

amanonfire

I had a similar rusted broken spring which I only found when swapping to coilovers.