bchhabra

Just had my rear suspension repaired by an indy who I like but he also has a new tech who doesn't know the ML-350 (was surprised that there were no springs in the front of the car) who did the work on my car. He installed new springs and struts and also replaced some rubber disc in the transfer case and readjusted the whole thing. Now when I drive over a pothole or a rough road suddenly the car starts shuddering pretty violently and then settles down in a couple of minutes - it doesn't happen every time but often enough to be repeatable. It also happens if I am turning or on a curvy road (DC beltway) around 40 mph. IT also feels pretty unstable to drive at speed on a highway with big rigs around me so I have been driving it on local streets only. I also noticed it that it is sitting much higher - there is too much space between the top of the wheel and the lip of the fender than it was before. I measured it (see pictures) In the back it is 21 inches from the center of the tire to the fender lip and in the front it is 19 inches. I don't know for sure what the height should be - I read elsewhere in this forum that it should be 18.5" inches in the back and 18" in the front. I asked him about that and he said the springs in the rear are new and stiff and they will settle but I wonder if that could be causing the instability and also the shuddering.



I am concerned that either he didn't do the install right or used off spec springs but I have told him I'm going to bring it back and he said yes and he will look at it. I just want to get some opinions before I take it back so that I am better informed...

khomer2

Sounds like a major f-up and the indie was using you as an experiment on your coins.
That's what happens when you use a inexperienced non-MB indie.

You do realize you can purchase rear struts as a complete inexpensive set, or install a set of custom coil-overs (following the recommendations of others....),
but you'd better know what you are doing.
Some reading material.

bchhabra

Thank you for the quick reply. I read through most of the posts in those threads and could still not find the true factory specified height of a 2004 ML350.. i'm sure i must be published somewhere for the suspension shops and the dealers to service the cars....just trying to determine if 21" and 19" for the rear and front are within spec....

cmitch

When I get home this evening, I will measure mine and relay over what my height is. I did adjust torsion bars from 40mm to 35mm when I did those last week. But it appears to me your car is sitting way too high.