Suspension troubles
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2001 C270 CDI
Suspension troubles
I have searched this forum for others with my experiences but found none. Hopefully someone else will read this and be able to offer some advise. Apologies up front for a long story
I have a 2001 C270 CDI which I have owned from new so I know its history - no accidents, no curb shots - a clean record.
From new this car has had rear suspension problems relulting in a very unstable rear end when driving over sharp bumps such as raised or sunken manhole covers. The back end steps out to the left, but not enough to cause a slide or activate the ESP. It is just very concerting as I am worried the car will let go if this condition arises in an emergency manouver.
Work done to date (all by authorised MB franchise):
~1000km Reset wheel allignment (focus on rear toe in) - resulted in worse road manners
~3000km Reset wheel allignment (focus on rear toe in and FL castor 10deg) more nuetral behaviour
~14000km Replace both rear tyres as the outer edges were worn down to the belt; reset rear wheel allignment to 0 deg toe - no improvement in road holding but new tyres ultimately lasted 60000km indicating rear wheel allignment is now OK
~40000km replaced worn bushes on right rear control arm - no improvement
~50000km Inspected and no fault found by agent
~60000km Replaced both rear control arms and associated bushes - much better but still not 100% - give up and live with it until I replace the car next year.
The car is now in for its 80000km service: The steering's rack & pinnion is dangerously worn and is to be replaced, the front left wheel arch lining has been worn away by the tyre during sharp turning (casued by excessive castor of 10 deg as mentioned above); both front control arm bushes are worn and are to be replaced.
I have had many other problems with the car, ranging from irritating to a crippling, but I won't go there now.
Any suggestions out there? Is this a Friday model? Should a burn the damn thing to stop the frustration?
This is not what I expected from my first Merc, but it IS a stunning vehicle to look at and drive as long as it is in a straight line and there are no bumps in the road.
I have a 2001 C270 CDI which I have owned from new so I know its history - no accidents, no curb shots - a clean record.
From new this car has had rear suspension problems relulting in a very unstable rear end when driving over sharp bumps such as raised or sunken manhole covers. The back end steps out to the left, but not enough to cause a slide or activate the ESP. It is just very concerting as I am worried the car will let go if this condition arises in an emergency manouver.
Work done to date (all by authorised MB franchise):
~1000km Reset wheel allignment (focus on rear toe in) - resulted in worse road manners
~3000km Reset wheel allignment (focus on rear toe in and FL castor 10deg) more nuetral behaviour
~14000km Replace both rear tyres as the outer edges were worn down to the belt; reset rear wheel allignment to 0 deg toe - no improvement in road holding but new tyres ultimately lasted 60000km indicating rear wheel allignment is now OK
~40000km replaced worn bushes on right rear control arm - no improvement
~50000km Inspected and no fault found by agent
~60000km Replaced both rear control arms and associated bushes - much better but still not 100% - give up and live with it until I replace the car next year.
The car is now in for its 80000km service: The steering's rack & pinnion is dangerously worn and is to be replaced, the front left wheel arch lining has been worn away by the tyre during sharp turning (casued by excessive castor of 10 deg as mentioned above); both front control arm bushes are worn and are to be replaced.
I have had many other problems with the car, ranging from irritating to a crippling, but I won't go there now.
Any suggestions out there? Is this a Friday model? Should a burn the damn thing to stop the frustration?
This is not what I expected from my first Merc, but it IS a stunning vehicle to look at and drive as long as it is in a straight line and there are no bumps in the road.
