Replacing front spring do I have to do both
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Lexington Virginia
2002 E320 4matic wagon aquired 10/25/16
Replacing front spring do I have to do both
I have a 2002 E320 4matic Wagon with 65,000 miles. The front right spring is broken at about the 2nd coil up. The spring is still sitting on the lower spring seat which will get replaced along with the spring. The question is do I have to replace both sides? What will the effect be if I only replace the one?
If I do replace both sides then does it save me a bunch of work to go ahead and replace all the other wear components on the front end like bushings and ball joints, etc? They are in good shape, but 65,000 on them they are not new.
If I do replace bushings and ball joints does that mean I also must get an alignment, or do I need one anyway after replacing the spring?
Is there anything else I should replace as part of the process? I am thinking that CV boots should be done since my understanding is I have to pull the half shafts anyway to do the spring on a 4matic.
Any words of wisdom would be welcome. Hoping to order parts in the next couple of days.
Thanks,
Michael
If I do replace both sides then does it save me a bunch of work to go ahead and replace all the other wear components on the front end like bushings and ball joints, etc? They are in good shape, but 65,000 on them they are not new.
If I do replace bushings and ball joints does that mean I also must get an alignment, or do I need one anyway after replacing the spring?
Is there anything else I should replace as part of the process? I am thinking that CV boots should be done since my understanding is I have to pull the half shafts anyway to do the spring on a 4matic.
Any words of wisdom would be welcome. Hoping to order parts in the next couple of days.
Thanks,
Michael
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Most of this forum members strongly believe in "preemptive repairs"
There is higher chance that since 1 spring broke, the 2nd might follow, but my experience is that MB springs are lifetime item and although S**t can happen and things break where not expected, I would not go overboard and replace 1/2 car just because.
Take your time and inspect everything when you have a chance and go from there.
There is higher chance that since 1 spring broke, the 2nd might follow, but my experience is that MB springs are lifetime item and although S**t can happen and things break where not expected, I would not go overboard and replace 1/2 car just because.
Take your time and inspect everything when you have a chance and go from there.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 301
Likes: 23
1997 E300D
I would only replace the broken spring with another OE spring. Springs can settle over time so it is possible that that corner might ride a bit high, and you might chose to replace the other. A junk yard spring from a similar car would likely have settled similar to your other spring and might be a good choice.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
wondering: since your car is a 4wd, I wonder if it would be more sensitive to
ride height differences should you select a replacement spring which results in
a noticeably higher ride height in that corner? might this induce some form of
sympathetic/higher load on the other side? perhaps only on paper, but just
wondering
ride height differences should you select a replacement spring which results in
a noticeably higher ride height in that corner? might this induce some form of
sympathetic/higher load on the other side? perhaps only on paper, but just
wondering
