2010 C Shock Problem
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
W202 C230 Kompressor, W204 C200 CGI
2010 C Shock Problem
Hi guys,
I'm from South Africa. I bought a C200 CGI in Aug 2010.
The car has ran just over 3000km.
Before the new year, I drove the car out and heard knocking sound on the drivers side. Then I brought my car to the dealer. After 5 min check, it's been confirmed that the shocks were gone. They said it's a common problem on many late 2010 model Merc.
This is my first new car. But the quality isn't impressive.
I'm from South Africa. I bought a C200 CGI in Aug 2010.
The car has ran just over 3000km.
Before the new year, I drove the car out and heard knocking sound on the drivers side. Then I brought my car to the dealer. After 5 min check, it's been confirmed that the shocks were gone. They said it's a common problem on many late 2010 model Merc.
This is my first new car. But the quality isn't impressive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I'm starting to notice creaky/crunching sounds from the strut area in our cold weather, but which goes away as the car is driven and warms up. I had a friend who is a tech elsewhere walk alongside as I drove over some speedbumps and he said the sound was high up, seemingly over the top of wheel well, so he ruled out ball joints. Anyone recognize this issue?
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 9
From: Homeless
'20 Targa 4 DD, ' 18 Volvo S60 T6
I'm starting to notice creaky/crunching sounds from the strut area in our cold weather, but which goes away as the car is driven and warms up. I had a friend who is a tech elsewhere walk alongside as I drove over some speedbumps and he said the sound was high up, seemingly over the top of wheel well, so he ruled out ball joints. Anyone recognize this issue?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 9
From: Homeless
'20 Targa 4 DD, ' 18 Volvo S60 T6
Mine did it at very low mileage - right one was replaced.
Now when it is very cold I can hear more clunking from the front - think it is the same one but need to wait until gets a little worse before taking it in + a streak of cold weather.
I agree with the quality being sub par - my care has been to the dealer at least 20 times to fix stupid stuff with an average of 3+ visits to resolution on single problem - good thing the dealer is 5 min away LOL.
Every new car we've had in last 6 years is the same - stupid small issues that are always 2-3 visits to resolve - so as my wife points out when I we should get a new car / brand "they are all the same build quality".
I bet new Hyundai are much better quality ! or Porsche !
Now when it is very cold I can hear more clunking from the front - think it is the same one but need to wait until gets a little worse before taking it in + a streak of cold weather.
I agree with the quality being sub par - my care has been to the dealer at least 20 times to fix stupid stuff with an average of 3+ visits to resolution on single problem - good thing the dealer is 5 min away LOL.
Every new car we've had in last 6 years is the same - stupid small issues that are always 2-3 visits to resolve - so as my wife points out when I we should get a new car / brand "they are all the same build quality".
I bet new Hyundai are much better quality ! or Porsche !
Last edited by whiteongrey; Jan 5, 2011 at 11:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
W202 C230 Kompressor, W204 C200 CGI
Still in warranty and maintenance plan. I can't do anything.
The Merc mechanics told me that the bearing inside the shock tube is broken. It takes one and a half days to replace the front shocks from the dealer. They are lazy and greedy....
The Merc mechanics told me that the bearing inside the shock tube is broken. It takes one and a half days to replace the front shocks from the dealer. They are lazy and greedy....
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
I have the same creaking/groaning problem with my new E. Now that the weather is cold there is a creaking/groaning sound at times when I go over a rough surface. This past Monday I had my front right shocks replaced but I still have this problem. I'll go back and tell my SA to check the bearings on top of the strut to see whats going on. Thanks for the info guys; I'll keep you posted.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
Just an update; my SA just called and told me he heard the creaking/groaning in my car and he will replace the sway bar and its bushings. Keep your fingers crossed folks 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The reason your whole bar has to go is that the OE design vulcanizes the rubber bushing to the bar, making one permanent unit. Eibach uses a separate bar and urethane bushing design.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Sportstick, are you talking about a "wobbling" noise or something that sounds like rubber, as if you had a low or flat tire? I have this when it is cold out and it goes away when car is warmed up. Except I can hear it anytime when I go over a bump on the highway.
I just wrote it off as if my tires were cold and this is normal... But should I get my car checked out. And if so, what in particular. I am going to have to push my dealer, because they are notorious for "not being able to replicate the problem".
Could this also cause alignment problems? My car would pull to the right all the time since new. But I didn't want to pay $200 for an alignment since I just got it and didn't think I should have to. I got one done and my car now goes straight, but my wheel is not centered...
I just wrote it off as if my tires were cold and this is normal... But should I get my car checked out. And if so, what in particular. I am going to have to push my dealer, because they are notorious for "not being able to replicate the problem".
Could this also cause alignment problems? My car would pull to the right all the time since new. But I didn't want to pay $200 for an alignment since I just got it and didn't think I should have to. I got one done and my car now goes straight, but my wheel is not centered...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Sportstick, are you talking about a "wobbling" noise or something that sounds like rubber, as if you had a low or flat tire? I have this when it is cold out and it goes away when car is warmed up. Except I can hear it anytime when I go over a bump on the highway.
I just wrote it off as if my tires were cold and this is normal... But should I get my car checked out. And if so, what in particular. I am going to have to push my dealer, because they are notorious for "not being able to replicate the problem".
Could this also cause alignment problems? My car would pull to the right all the time since new. But I didn't want to pay $200 for an alignment since I just got it and didn't think I should have to. I got one done and my car now goes straight, but my wheel is not centered...
I just wrote it off as if my tires were cold and this is normal... But should I get my car checked out. And if so, what in particular. I am going to have to push my dealer, because they are notorious for "not being able to replicate the problem".
Could this also cause alignment problems? My car would pull to the right all the time since new. But I didn't want to pay $200 for an alignment since I just got it and didn't think I should have to. I got one done and my car now goes straight, but my wheel is not centered...
My sound was either a two cycle baby-buggy creak noise up one side and down the other of a speed bump, or more of a crunch if the same displacement was hit more quickly. It was the result of the Eibach antisway bar rotating in a dry urethane bushing, after the original grease had worn away. Of course, Eibach doesn't alert a new buyer that these bushings will require periodic re-greasing, but they kindly sent more grease packets along. The original MB design is a "dry" design, with no grease needed, as the softer rubber bushing is attached around the bar and essentially absorbs the rotational forces by letting the softer rubber donut flex from the inside of the "donut hole" out. For the OE bar to require replacing suggests the rubber bushing has deteriorated for whatever reason, and could cause a similar noise.
Whoever did your alignment did not do it correctly. The process should be completed with the wheel straight, so as not to get your outcome. I've had this happen and requested it be re-done with the wheel straight, which eliminated the problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Could this also cause alignment problems? My car would pull to the right all the time since new. But I didn't want to pay $200 for an alignment since I just got it and didn't think I should have to. I got one done and my car now goes straight, but my wheel is not centered...
As to the lopsided wheel, that is the fault of the lazy tech who didn't center the wheel FIRST.
Take it back.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Also, would they be able to fix the lopsided wheel without doing another alignment, or are they going to have to charge me for another alignment? They said they don't warranty the alignment since there is no way of them knowing if I hit another pothole as soon as I left. BS if you ask me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I mentioned it within the first 2,000 miles. They said that it isn't covered and it would be $200. Are you sure it covers one alignment? It seems like my dealer are very unhelpful and cheap. I think I am going to change my service location, but then I can't get a loaner...
Also, would they be able to fix the lopsided wheel without doing another alignment, or are they going to have to charge me for another alignment? They said they don't warranty the alignment since there is no way of them knowing if I hit another pothole as soon as I left. BS if you ask me.
Also, would they be able to fix the lopsided wheel without doing another alignment, or are they going to have to charge me for another alignment? They said they don't warranty the alignment since there is no way of them knowing if I hit another pothole as soon as I left. BS if you ask me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
I mentioned it within the first 2,000 miles. They said that it isn't covered and it would be $200. Are you sure it covers one alignment? It seems like my dealer are very unhelpful and cheap. I think I am going to change my service location, but then I can't get a loaner...
Also, would they be able to fix the lopsided wheel without doing another alignment, or are they going to have to charge me for another alignment? They said they don't warranty the alignment since there is no way of them knowing if I hit another pothole as soon as I left. BS if you ask me.
Also, would they be able to fix the lopsided wheel without doing another alignment, or are they going to have to charge me for another alignment? They said they don't warranty the alignment since there is no way of them knowing if I hit another pothole as soon as I left. BS if you ask me.
Straightening the wheel means, back on the alignment rack, level the wheel and reset the toe-in. And it's a comeback so the tech pays for it.
I have been through this very thing with my 2001 C320 (good riddance) and it took several visits to fix it. And with me standing right there while one of their senior techs eliminated the sloppy work of the previous blacksmith.
There are all levels of competency and you were unlucky enough to draw a bad service writer and a careless mechanic.
A word with the Service Manager this time might not be a bad idea.
Last edited by RLE; Feb 11, 2011 at 06:48 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 669
Likes: 28
From: Little Falls, NJ
2020 GLC300 4MATIC
My '06 never had these problems, but I digress.
