steering/suspension pro in Northern VA?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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steering/suspension pro in Northern VA?
As the title says, I need to find a proven indy shop in Northern VA that knows enough about our W208 suspension and steering sensitivities to help me figure out why my car, after TWO road-force balances and TWO alignments, on brand new wheels & tires, STILL rides and drives like the wheels are about to shake off on the highway 
I have been to numerous shops around the area and no one seems to know enough to help me! It's just bugging the heck out of me even though I have learned to live with it so far.
thanks!
I have been to numerous shops around the area and no one seems to know enough to help me! It's just bugging the heck out of me even though I have learned to live with it so far.
thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
If this problem started when you installed the new wheels and tires, you may want to consider putting the old wheels and tire back on and going for a test drive. One (or more) of your new wheels and/or tires may be defective.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
Assuming it is not the wheels, make sure your bushings are good (my CLK55 lower control arm bushings were shot at roughly 30K miles). Also, check your dampers (including steering damper).
My shimmy was eliminated after changing the LCA bushings to polyurethane. Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
LPD Auto Parts out of Duarte, CA. Got them on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWD1V
The ones I received were black.
As far as handling, it helps give you that rock-solid feeling.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWD1V
The ones I received were black.
As far as handling, it helps give you that rock-solid feeling.
Thread Starter
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Thanks the for the quick responses guys. To answer the first question, I have gone back and forth with my stock wheels, an extra set of 17" wheels, & this brand new set of wheels & new tires which were both inspected to be in perfect working order by the balance tech.
I will have to assume at this point that I need to replace my lower control arm bushing, and that polyurethane one on ebay looks like it should be just right. I have all new steering components including control arms, center drag link. I will also get a new steering damper as that needs to be replaced, but i think these things should do it.
I have been going to Mars Automotive for over a year now, he's a great guy and knows his stuff, but going in depth with specific steering/suspension issues isn't always the easiest thing to diagnose unless you do it every day.
Thanks guys i'll post after these are done to see if drive has improved.
I will have to assume at this point that I need to replace my lower control arm bushing, and that polyurethane one on ebay looks like it should be just right. I have all new steering components including control arms, center drag link. I will also get a new steering damper as that needs to be replaced, but i think these things should do it.
I have been going to Mars Automotive for over a year now, he's a great guy and knows his stuff, but going in depth with specific steering/suspension issues isn't always the easiest thing to diagnose unless you do it every day.
Thanks guys i'll post after these are done to see if drive has improved.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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Well, I had the bushings and the entire suspension checked out and the only thing the 3 mechanics noticed was that my center drag link had some "slight" play, but not enough to cause any problems.
But, as they were moving my rear wheels, they noticed my driver side bearings were shot (totally unrelated issue), so I had to dish out about $400 to have that taken care of, talk about labor costs! I don't notice anything major after having it replaced, but I'm all about preventive maintenance. I will go ahead and change the steering damper next to see what that does, should be in soon.
But, as they were moving my rear wheels, they noticed my driver side bearings were shot (totally unrelated issue), so I had to dish out about $400 to have that taken care of, talk about labor costs! I don't notice anything major after having it replaced, but I'm all about preventive maintenance. I will go ahead and change the steering damper next to see what that does, should be in soon.
