Garfunkle_W124

For the past few weeks my suspension, possibly the ball joint, have been acting up. Everytime I hit a bump in the road my front end end shakes like I'm driving on a cobble stone road. I am thinking the ball joints may be wearing. What may be thr problem?

ZorroAMG

I have the same thing when going over speedbumps..I'm too scared to ask ($$) lol

shadowgriffen

mine too, only on the left side though

loubapache

The first thing to check is the sway bar bushings. Very cheap and you'll be surprised how much noise they can create when shot.

shadowgriffen

this is more of a strong shuddering. feels like a spring is going to pop out when going over a bump.

Unlike sway bar bushing and brackets that make all sorts of "clunking" noises.

Garfunkle_W124

Yeah, I think Matt (mgw_300E) had his ball joints R&R'd because of this. I think it costs some pretty coin though, and right now I am broke as a *shut yo mouth*

Garfunkle_W124

Mine is so bad that it happens when I am going about 50mph and hit a rough patch in the road. It is to the point where I am concerned for the safety of me AND the car. I'll ask my MB tech tomorrow-ish and se what the diagnosis is. Like you said though, it can't be cheap

Rio Z Lander

my car had the same problem a few years ago it but in back every time we would stop hard or went over a bump the car would shake alot i dont rember what it was but it was like 500 bucks

Chappy

What's the damage? I just had the control arms replaced on the wagon (ouch! - I have the ones with no replaceable ball joints), along with a rear control bushing....drives like butta now.

Garfunkle_W124

So far, the only damage was done to my pride. I had a friend in the car and we hit a bump and the car felt like it was about to snap in half...talk about embarassing

hineywineries

After looking at the pictures of your rides, I'd suggest spending less money on wheels, tunes, and other modifications, and spending more on needed repairs and maintenance. If you don't follow this advice, you're just riding around in a good looking bucket.

ZorroAMG

LOL thanks DAD..

If YOU own a 12-21yr old W124 like us, I HARDLY doubt yours is flawless. Thanks for coming out.

RBYCC

Could be a few things, tie rod ends, joints, bushings, even wheel bearing.
Get the car up in the air and start pulling on stuff until you hear a clunk or feel a lot of play.

Unfortunately problems like these can be caused by too low of a drop and short travel shocks.

While great for a race track with a fairly even surface not so good for a 3700+ pound vehicle on city streets with potholes !!!

ZorroAMG

For anybody in the Vancouver BC area, I am checking out a new euro mechanic on Friday, good things on local forums have been said about him. I plan on getting a bunch of stuff done.

Werners Auto Klinik in Delta BC. (604) 946-1711

Old-school bmw/mercedes racer mechanic....does jobs for how long they take, not some stealership pricing. I will let you guys know!

shadowgriffen

Good luck Z, hope it's nothing major!

ZorroAMG

Yeah I am gonna look into the following:

Oil change
Suspension (ball joint issues)
CLimate control unit replacement...getting one shipped for $65 instead of $850
Spark Plug replacement/cleaning
Short in ashtray light/plug
Shifter gate bulb out - momo shift knob install
Projector headlights installed
Coolant sensor replacement
brake pads CHECKED


Woohoo!!

hineywineries

You're right my cars aren't flawless, but I try to keep them up mechanically. My 89 300CE needs some steering components replaced as soon as I can get it back from the guy who is borrowing it. The 91 300E I just bought needs an engine which I have and just need time to install. My 89 420SEL needs intake manifold seals which I'm working on now.My 89 190E 2.6 needs a couple of parts changed in the climate control as soon as I get it back from the lady who is borrowing it. My 1971 3.5 coupe just sets in the garage covered with junk until I get to it. My 1967 230SL sets next to it covered with junk until I get to it. My 1983 300TDT is in the driveway waiting for steering work. My 1983 380SEC is waiting for me to put the engine back in. My 1971 280SL is waiting for me to put the engine back in after having the engine compartment painted.I just scrapped out a couple of 420SELs needing a valve job, because I didn't want to fool with them, and my 1997 SL320 needs some climate control work. I don't have time for wheels and tunes.

ZorroAMG

Holy shnikees! That's a rather large stable! Old cars like ours seem to be a labour of love. I can't see anything I enjoy driving more than my 300E....I love the way it drives, handles, responds and especially looks. Only the C63 has been giving me those impressions....so I pre-ordered it. Summer may be a sad day when I might let my W124 go.

Sorry I was a bit snarky, I was simply responding in kind! As you can see from my post above you, I am excited to try out this new mechanic and tune my baby!

ZedStyle

with 10 benzes all in need of repairs... i don't blame you!

CaliE320

After reading your post I suggest you spend less money on buying multiple cars and save your money to repair and upkeep one ride properly

~Cali

Chappy

shadowgriffen

SELL ME YOUR RIDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! LOL

RBYCC

Sounds more like you don't have time to drive any of your Mercs...
Why not a few less, but at least one that is driveable?

Lot of young guys on this forum....they like certain looks, be it wheels, suspensions or whatever !!!!

Don't knock them as they are probably doing a better job of saving W124's then you are !!!

I commend them for finding and appreciating reasonably priced vehicles which are far more quality then other imports.

They have a passion for the W124 and for some it's an incredible learning experience......

hineywineries

[QUOTE=CaliE320;2468870]After reading your post I suggest you spend less money on buying multiple cars and save your money to repair and upkeep one ride properly It's not a matter of money, but rather a lack of time and my propensity to procrastinate. I have a full blown hobby shop with lift, tranny jack,scope, scanners, rim clamp tire machine, Snap-On balancer, R134 machine, R12 machine and all the tools. Don't fret, because I always have MBs to drive.

As you get older there isn't much time to wash and polish a car every Saturday. You wait for rain to do that. You find yourself maintaining and improving your home, taking care of a piece of rental property, spending hours researching financial planning so you can take those trips to Europe and Hawaii and retire comfortably. There are myriad other things that require attention also. A bit of advice is to start planning when you are young. Buy a few less CDs for your juke box each month and buy a couple of CDs (certificates of deposit) for old age, and it will make the difference between traveling or eating cat food when you want to retire.

As to the 124s,I think they are one of the best models ever produced along with the 126s. I've had 300SELs, 300SDs, 380SELs, 420SELs, and 560SELs. They are great cars, but the 124 is the only car that MB continued to improve and upgrade until the very end. The suspension was changed in 89. Additional wood interior trim was added in90 along with the self closing windows and roof feature. The list goes on. It was extremely well designed.

RBYCC

[QUOTE=hineywineries;2469332]I agree with the young man.
Owning many things that you are not able to properly care for is akin to owning nothing.

I will disagree with you.

As you get older, if you've lived your life properly, you should have the time to indulge yourself in what makes you feel good.

You seem to be living the "inverted triangle" life.
In essence acquiring many tasks, things, and responsibilities from the base point of the triangle which expands onward and upward.
The secret to aging is to know when the "inverted triangle" becomes top heavy and ready to collapse.
Wise to see this inflection point of life and start shedding the load and begin to taper the "inverted" triangle to a point in which you know have a "diamond" shape.
For when you achieve this you have truly reaped what you have sown and can afford to live a fruitful life in your later years.


Bought my 300CE new in May of 1988, just twin turboed it this year with only 63K original miles.

Don't remember any suspension changes on the M103/M104 engined cars, other then a Sportline option.

Direct opposite of you.
Believe in owning fewer finer things then a whole lot of junk !!!
This applies not just to cars, but homes, investments, etc.

Older you get, less you should have to do.
If you can't enjoy yourself now, there is no second chance !!

Not a kid, just turned 59.....all my "rides" are pristine..
Just traded my 2006 Corvette for a 1971 280SL, also own very nice 1999 C43 AMG, 2003 G55 AMG and of course my 1988 300CE TT.
Prefer owning only "landmark" or low production vehicles.
Why.....value !!!