whiteongrey

Several MB acknowledged faulty front end components on W204 - all need replacing: but they will not do it in one shot hoping the SA can convince the consumer that it is "normal".

1. Strut bearings

2. Thrust arm bushings

3. Sway bar links

phobos512

These being well known problems on the 204, are there documents / service bulletin numbers I can reference when talking to my SA?

whiteongrey

In my experience it is internal acknowledgment & solution provision but not something they actively check every car - naturally this is for cost control and a post warranty, parts sales driver.

If everyone looks at their repair codes we can assemble a codes orientation.

C300Sport

It's funny but my loaner W204's front suspension is slapping around so bad that even my gernerally automotively clueless girlfriend even noticed the ruckus. Supposedly there is a brand new TSB or Bulletin out. I will check my paperwork against the older numbers and, if its new, will post it once I get my car back.

Blazeitup123

i saw my SA today, grabbed my smart phone, loaded up your post, mentioned these and he brushed it off, saying "it could be a lot of things" eyes still on his 14in crt screen... whatever. i'm booked for the 15th for this and my non working drivers seat back adjustment.

RLE

Mine was replaced on the right side very early and now I hear it again at 25K miles.

I have a few other little things that need attention so will be getting them all taken care of on the same service visit. Since I have about eight months of warranty left I need to get this done very soon.

phobos512

See if anyone has these TSBs noted:

33.15/20B of 24JUL2009
32.25/67 of 17SEP2008

My subscription on eautorepair.net ran out but I think I may get another one for a week; they're cheap and they don't auto-re-up which is good.

C300Sport

Just got my car back from having both replaced. It is amazing how much better the car feels without having the suspension slapping around on worn out bushings.

Blazeitup123

just an update,

the dealer heard the popping and admitted to parts needing to be replaced. the suspension looked 100%, but they will change out one of the front sides under warranty (not sure which one). My SA wants to do both sides but has some convincing to do up the ladder.

i told him that i need this done before i put in my super sports, then he offered to install the springs at the same time. i'm wondering how many hours for the rears and alignment. maybe cheaper this way. if its under 2 at $140 per, it may work out over an indy.

rb23lb

hi. I have this problem too but every time I try to bring to the dealer they say that the tech "could not duplicate customer complaint", and they send my car back with nothing done to it

Can you tell me what the best way to demo the clunking noise to the dealer?

I am 0-3 now in getting this fixed as I have been turned down by 3 dealers!

Can someone please help, thanks in advance!

Boris0126

So I've also been having this problem with the cracking or however you guys want to define the noise coming from my front suspension and this only happens when I turn the steering wheel and move slowly or I am backing to parallel park. I brought my car like 2 times and the first time they replaced my 2 front springs and the second time I brought the car in they replaced my brakes cause they said that was the problem. Well the noise is still continuing until this day and I started a thread cause now my front right tire on the outter part is wearing really fast, this is the thread https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...aring-out.html

Boris0126

Guys I would appreciate your help on this situation that I am going thru too now cause this is my second set of right front tire that is gone and now I gotta buy a third tire, thanks.

whiteongrey

Boris0126 - first you need the concentric bolts then to visit the alignment shop. Never ever lower without full alignment immediately afterward.

I will be back to my car on the 15th and will check the dealer paper work - I had the exact issue re noise. Not sure if they fixed it while I was away....Please PM me a reminder.

whiteongrey

You have to go for a drive with the SA or shop foreman and demo for them.

Otherwise they will never find because they are half deaf from years of loud music at home and pneumatic tools at work.

cvx5832

I had the same noise you're describing. I got it fixed with the TSB in the link below. Like some I had several trips to the dealer and either "sorry, we couldn't replicate the problem" or "sorry, those sounds are normal, even the new ones sound like that". A drive-around with the tech didn't help. Nada from the Advisor, nada from the Manager. I bring the bulletin number and voila, noises are fixed without another queston.

For the guys who had this repaired and has now come back, check your paperwork and see which part numbers they used. It looks like the part has recently been superseded again.

A 204 333 10 14 (original part) replaced by
A 203 333 10 14 replaced by
A 204 333 11 14

Here's the thread I started when I was going through this.

DTB P-B-33.15/20B

Paolo

mattbta

Is this symptom just from the front? We get a ton of grinding noise from the rear after backing up, shifting to drive and turning the wheels. Just had it in for service and they said they cleaned up the rear brakes. It got better but still makes the noises. Sounds rather cheap...

cvx5832

It doesn't sound like the same issue. The sound is strictly a popping noise from the front, most evident during parking and backing up while turning the steering wheel.

What you describe sounds close to another TSB I've come across here. Do a search, I'm sure there has been a thread created for that already. Something about a clunking or crunching noise during a load change.

Paolo

mattbta

Thanks Paolo. Unfortunately the only bulletin I've come across is for cars made between 2/21/08 AND 4/3/08. Mine's a 2009 made in October 08. If you stumble across anything, please LMK.

C300Sport

The first time around, I had both front axle torque struts and bearings replaced as per bulletin P-B-72.12/97

The second time aroound I had both left and right Hydro Mounts in the strut rods replaced as per DTB LI33.15-P-047471.

Both times, they replaced part # 203-333-10-14. The first time they called it a bearing, the second time a rubber bushing. This last time, they also replaced 4 "211-333-06-97" which them termed an "elastomeric".

Hopefully the repair will last a bit longer this time around....

cvx5832

I hope the fix lasts too. But on the EPC it looks like the part has been replaced again. The part they put in my car is also the 203 333 10 14 part number.

The "Elastomeric" is Item 215 above. On physical inspection it looks to be nothing more than a dust shield.

We'll see how it goes. I'm sure we'll all be right back at this thread if the fixes don't last.

Paolo

whiteongrey

Haha - time to dump these 204s for Hyundai !

Blazeitup123

what, no.

Boris0126

Last time I brought my car to the dealership I told them about the cracking noise of the front suspension that they couldn't fix before. They realized that I had aftermarket springs and the MB Tech said this in the invoice "Left front spring incorrectly installed & found the noise coming from left upper strut area. Raised vehicle & found aftermarket springs installed incorrectly (coiling in wrong direction)" Now that's what you call BULLSH*T!!!! Cause right after i picked up the car I brought it to the place where they installed my springs which is a famous popular place for custom/modification work. They took the whole thing out and showed it to me that it was installed correctly and I saw it with my own eyes. So now I don't know if my suspension warranty is voided so I don't know what I should do? Should I go back and tell them to just take a look at the bushing and replace them? Or should I take my car to another dealership which is in the next state CT and is only 15 mins away from me?

cvx5832

I suppose the level of C/S could vary by dealer. What I don't know is if their service records are shared between dealers, and if the other dealer would just turn you around thinking you've tried this somewhere before.

However for 15 minutes I'd give it a try. What always works for me is not shoving the TSB down their throats. Have it ready as a "suggestion", if you will.

Pricing all the parts from online dealers is less than $50, including the elastomeric cups. It's not even that expensive for the dealers to try. Plus the numerous successes here indicate it's worth exploring.

Paolo

Glyn M Ruck

I would replace Castor bushes & while you are about it check sway bushes & links.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...spension+noise