Jun 17, 2015, 07:49 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Mercedes Benz E Class Why is My Suspension Bouncy?
Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs
Guess my suspension problem!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
03 E320, 03 Lexus RX300
Guess my suspension problem!
Ok so the wonderfull design of the W211's front suspension has proposed yet another obstacle for me.
Now here are my symptoms.
As I drive on the road or highway the steering doesn't feel loose, YET the car wobbles or sway's a little too much. If I twist the steering wheel right and left quick and sharply the car will behave like a boat.
The car doesn't wander though.
Now I did a little bit of searching before my post but I wanted to get some of your opinions.
At first I thought shocks, I did the 'bounce on the hood' test and it might do 1 extra bounce but nothing worse than it has always done.
I lifted the car up and checked a few suspension items,
Ball joint from Lateral Arm to steering knuckle:
Feels ok, not making noises, I did notice a bit of grease ontop of it but its not leaking so I suppose thats normal since the rubber part gets moved way down and probably exposes some grease. No normal play on the wheel
Mid ball joints: There is slightly play here but it doesn't feel loose.
Upper Ball joints: Solid
Shocks: no leaking
End Links: There is a little play on these
Also grabbing the wheel at 9:00 and 3:00 I can feel a bit of play but not at any other position.
So what do you guys think? New Shocks and Endlinks? Maybe even a spring?
Now here are my symptoms.
As I drive on the road or highway the steering doesn't feel loose, YET the car wobbles or sway's a little too much. If I twist the steering wheel right and left quick and sharply the car will behave like a boat.
The car doesn't wander though.
Now I did a little bit of searching before my post but I wanted to get some of your opinions.
At first I thought shocks, I did the 'bounce on the hood' test and it might do 1 extra bounce but nothing worse than it has always done.
I lifted the car up and checked a few suspension items,
Ball joint from Lateral Arm to steering knuckle:
Feels ok, not making noises, I did notice a bit of grease ontop of it but its not leaking so I suppose thats normal since the rubber part gets moved way down and probably exposes some grease. No normal play on the wheel
Mid ball joints: There is slightly play here but it doesn't feel loose.
Upper Ball joints: Solid
Shocks: no leaking
End Links: There is a little play on these
Also grabbing the wheel at 9:00 and 3:00 I can feel a bit of play but not at any other position.
So what do you guys think? New Shocks and Endlinks? Maybe even a spring?
Last edited by Dexion; Mar 12, 2012 at 01:04 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 19
From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
IMO sounds like tie rods and/or alignment. If it's out of spec it will cause the tires to push the front end of the car one way or the other. Also, if the rear toe is not set to 0, it can cause some unpredictability in lateral movement also.
I don't think it needs shocks. ball joints are cheap enough, if you're going to do tie rods you may as well at 20 bucks a side or so (IIRC). Then make sure you get it aligned and get everything in spec. If it still does it, swap the endlinks too. Other than that, I'd say either tires or wheels need help.
Are the tires worn unevenly at all? inside vs outside, left vs right, etc.
I don't think it needs shocks. ball joints are cheap enough, if you're going to do tie rods you may as well at 20 bucks a side or so (IIRC). Then make sure you get it aligned and get everything in spec. If it still does it, swap the endlinks too. Other than that, I'd say either tires or wheels need help.
Are the tires worn unevenly at all? inside vs outside, left vs right, etc.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
03 E320, 03 Lexus RX300
I didn't get a chance to check the rack and pinion, but I don't hear any noises and the steering feel is not loose, car doesn't wander it just has more body roll than normal.
I will also check the tie rods as j-cat suspected and yes endlinks are cheap and I haven't replaced those yet so I might as well. Tires have been normal so far but I'm sure now there will be some sign of bad alignment.
I will also check the tie rods as j-cat suspected and yes endlinks are cheap and I haven't replaced those yet so I might as well. Tires have been normal so far but I'm sure now there will be some sign of bad alignment.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
03 E320, 03 Lexus RX300
Ok, so I took a look at the diagrams on parts.com and it looks like THE w211 WITHOUT the sport suspension don't have sway bars. Basically have a stearing gear assembly which has two end-links on each side (The gear has two boots and altogether costs around $1,700 so im ruling that out since the steering is fine)
I guess since it has no sway-bar this is what the lateral arms are here for I suppose and there is play in the mid-ball joints. It looks like the mid-ball joints support the shocks/springs so that makes sense if this ball joint is worn and I'm getting more of a see-saw feel than I should.
I guess since it has no sway-bar this is what the lateral arms are here for I suppose and there is play in the mid-ball joints. It looks like the mid-ball joints support the shocks/springs so that makes sense if this ball joint is worn and I'm getting more of a see-saw feel than I should.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Your car is the same year as mine. I would check the bushings of the tie rod since you don't have the anti-sway bar as you indicated. Otherwise, the bushings of the anti-sway bar also. There are faily cheap to replace.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 38
From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
check your front wheel bearings. I thought my shock were going on on the W210 because when I hit a ridge on the freeway it would feel loose. There was a little bit of play from the bearings so I replaced them and the car feels so much more planted.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
