suspension work, should I look for anything or have anything on standby
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: San Diego via Italy
91 MB 300CE w/5 speed
suspension work, should I look for anything or have anything on standby
Just ordered new shocks and struts for my 91 CE, and due to my limited resources that I have on hand I'm wondering if I should be looking for anything else under there while I'm at it, bolts that wear, break etc.... I have a lot of body roll and can hear my shocks pissing with every bump and know this is the main contributing factor but just curious if I should be prepared for more work once I get at it.
I'm stationed in Italy (crappy roads) and have to go to the base hobby shop to us the lift and they have a very limited amount of tools and odd items, bolts etc....
Also, what else should I look for that are common items that wear that can be replaced.
Thanks
I'm stationed in Italy (crappy roads) and have to go to the base hobby shop to us the lift and they have a very limited amount of tools and odd items, bolts etc....
Also, what else should I look for that are common items that wear that can be replaced.
Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Socal
2001 W210 E55 and 1995 W124 E320 (RIP), 1992 400E, 1991 300E 2.6
Cheap, easy and worth it if these are past their prime: definetly front sway bar bushings (4), possible front sway bar bushing brackets (2 bigger ones that can wear/crack), possible steering damper (cheap and easy), possible rear sway bar bushings (I haven't found anyone other than MB that sells them - I only assume there'd be improvement since fronts certainly did for me), possible front top strut mount (can crack - something to check while doing the struts - not required and can be costly).
Other more expensive/work involved: probable given age - rear links (5 each side) - bushings wear out (several hundred$ for complete set), probable ball joints or control arms depending on model year (late model ball joints are welded to arms - bushings in CA's will be upgrade as well), maybe wheel bearings.
Klann style spring compressor only required if front springs and/or front control arms being changed/removed. Not needed for any shocks/struts. Only use this type - NO OTHER DESIGN - Klann is $800 +/- !!! Carefully chose alternate brands - beware cheap immitations since there is great risk of serious injury or death if the clamp fails and spring escapes!!!!!!
So I did mix steering and suspension but it all can add up...
Other more expensive/work involved: probable given age - rear links (5 each side) - bushings wear out (several hundred$ for complete set), probable ball joints or control arms depending on model year (late model ball joints are welded to arms - bushings in CA's will be upgrade as well), maybe wheel bearings.
Klann style spring compressor only required if front springs and/or front control arms being changed/removed. Not needed for any shocks/struts. Only use this type - NO OTHER DESIGN - Klann is $800 +/- !!! Carefully chose alternate brands - beware cheap immitations since there is great risk of serious injury or death if the clamp fails and spring escapes!!!!!!
So I did mix steering and suspension but it all can add up...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: San Diego via Italy
91 MB 300CE w/5 speed
once I get it up on the lift I was planning to check bushings and all. Just curious if there is anything that is a common componet that breaks that I should have on ready standby. Thanks for the input.
