Nickthegreek

Hey, i was changing my tires and when i took them off i inspected the suspension. I was about to crap my pants when i saw that the spring on the passenger side strut was collapsed in and was only hanging by a thread. It's as if it stretched out and fell off half of the mounting surface. I took the car to a repair shop they told me it is common, i kinda don't believe they made struts to come apart like that. Anybody ever replace them themselves? They said i might as well replace both which i agree cause ride height may not be quite the same. it also needs new ball joints... I have the tools to work on it but never done it on a benz and don't know if i'll have alignment problems any info would be helpful

soomuchmor

Umm, same sort of problem different part of the world, I'm currently looking for parts here in Perth Australia, and i'm comming up against all sorts of problems getting my hands on a strut. From the looks of it, you would have to compress the spring in order to remove the strut ( after undoing the screws) but i supose compressing the spring wont be a problem in your case.

kiamcoj

I have a complete suspension from a 2006 E350 for sale in the classifieds under the suspension and braking section. If you're interested, please let me know. I'm working from my phone right now so I'll send you a PM with the link when I am able.

konigstiger

Remove several nuts, detach strut from control arm, PM email address and I will forward WIS. MB recommends replacing both sides if @ 50000 or over. Only concern would be to check headlamp adjustment afterward.

Nickthegreek

Hey, i bit the bullet and got it done i didn't want to risk it bursting while i was putting a compressor on it. Went to a reputable repair shop that replaced both sides with oem parts and the technician said he was scared cause he had to put a screw type compressor on it, wouldn't fit on the shop press. Next time hopefully this won't happen but the spring deformed and was about to fall off. I gotta do some balljoints too but i ordered a tool from ebay to do it... i'll post pics on replacing the ball joints... That is not something i ever want to happen again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

vettdvr

It would be great if you have any pics of the failure and your install of ball joint.

Nickthegreek

yer right vettdvr i forgot to take pics of it!!! I'll try and describe it as good as i can. What happened was at the bottom of the spring where it sits on the perch, the spring wasn't flush on the perch, it was sagging so bad on one side that it wasn't centered and it was pushing against the shock causing a rubbing noise going over bumps, and only half a turn of the spring was holding up the car. The perch was intact but the spring was deformed. What boggles my mind is that this is supposedly common. If it is mercedes has a hell of a lawsuit coming. If it slipped off of the perch, the car would've hit the ground and slid off the wheel and caused a massive accident. That is downright dangerous if it is common.


when i do the joints there'll be tons of pics!!!