E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Strut Brace for W210

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Old 09-05-2002, 02:33 PM
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Strut Brace for W210

Does anyone know if there are any companies out there that offer strut braces for the W210?

I have Eibach sway bars front and rear and recently the brackets (on the left side) for the rear sway bar broke - these are the brackets welded on as part of the frame. To fix this requires some custom mods and is going to be a major pain in the *** but I have no choice. Anyway, I want to make sure the front is better protected but can't find anyone offering strut braces for the W210...please help!
Old 09-06-2002, 12:10 PM
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2001 E55
strut brace

Apparently this is a common problem with these cars, so much so that there is a kit made by the factory for a good frame shop to use to re attach the brackets. I had this same problem on my 97 sport and all work was done by MB of Beverly Hills under warranty.
I suggest you talk to your dealer about it but don't take no for an answer, I had to go to an independent frame shop to get it correctly diagnosed after the dealer told me everything was fine and charged me for an alignment!
If you need specifics of the kit available from the factory, Mike Sharble 310 248 4225 is my service advisor at MB here in 90210 and he is terrific. Hope this helps.
Old 09-06-2002, 09:12 PM
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mrbeverlyhills,

Thanks for replying to my question on the subject matter. A couple questions:

1) Was the problem with your '97 Sport in the rear?

2) When you had your problem, did you have aftermarket sway bars installed?

My car is still under warranty and I want to take it back to my dealer but I know they'll tell me I'm out of luck because I have aftermarket sway bars and springs installed...

Checkout the pictures I attached - as you can see in the last picture (shot of the trunk), the bracket tore right off the frame! pretty cheesy man...

Last edited by VOID 65; 09-06-2002 at 09:17 PM.
Old 09-06-2002, 09:14 PM
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here's the second pic...
Old 09-06-2002, 09:16 PM
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and the last...
Old 09-07-2002, 01:28 PM
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2001 E55
strut brace

My problem was in the front and I have only factory equipment installed. I doubt the dealer will have an issue with your aftermarket sway bar as unless you tell them, they are generally too stupid to figure it out. I hear yours is a not too uncommon problem, make SURE the dealer shows it to the factory warranty rep when it goes in, I find a decent amount of *****ing generally gets them to fix about anything. Incidentally, my warranty had expired and they fixed it anyway at no charge. Good luck.
Old 09-07-2002, 04:39 PM
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I have seen 1 custom made strut brace for the w210, but none in production.

I believe the Eibach sway bars are the same diameter as the E55. The E55 does not have a special bracket, so if it can hold the bars, yours should be able to do so. If you run into a problem at the dealer, bring that up--it may help. Where was the work originally done? Did they install the bars properly? I would go to them first.
Old 09-08-2002, 01:37 AM
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99 e430 Green
some dealerships will just make up stuff if you walk in with aftermarket stuff. Example a story i heard was a guy put an intake into his jetta, and the dealership dropped it off a 6ft lift, and because of the aftermarket parts it was not covered on warranty. so if you can put every back to stock and bring it in.
Old 09-08-2002, 03:28 AM
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That is entirely illegal. Warranty wouldn't even be an issue if the dealer damages your car. VOID 65, where do you live. Perhaps someone on the board may be able to help you.
Old 09-08-2002, 02:26 PM
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Thanks for replying guys.

I'm in So. Cal - LA area. I don't think I can fool the dealer into believing that the sawy bars are not aftermaket - the Eibachs are much larger than stock and it's red. As for putting my stock springs and swaybars back, I don't think that's gonna fly either because I have a full Brabus body kit installed - a dealer ain't gonna buy a benz with full body kit and stock springs and wheels.

As for initial installation of the swaybars and springs, it was done at the Eibach R&D facility in Irvine, CA (I had a buddy that was an engineer there) so I'm pretty sure the install was done right.

In any case, it seems that I'm screwed as far as getting the dealer to warranty this (even though I think they should - those brackets are just too flimsy). I just want to make sure the same thing won't happen in the front - and I think a strut brace is the easiest way to do this. But sounds like I'm out of luck - again??

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