Gary P

New to the forums and looked but couldn't see a similar post...

I have a 2004 E320CDI estate. 50K miles....

Drove off the drive this evening heard a big bang and the front suspension has collapsed.

Has anyone got an idea what this might be?

Luke@tirerack

the 'bang' automatically makes me think something broke .... most likely the spring or control arm ...

Gary P

Thanks

Is there an obvious way to check? the bodywork is v low both sides.

Not aware of any obvious reason foe somthing to break, is the failure of either a common fault?

Is either a DIY repair?

Also any idea on typical cost to fix?... I just had a £600 quote to fix the door mirror indicators due to a wiring fault, so not overly impressed with that or looking forward to another bill.

Luke@tirerack

Depends what broke ... if it's a spring you can upgrade to performance lowering springs relatively inexpensively .... if it's something more elaborate it could get costly

both sides went down at the same time

Gary P

Both sides went down at the same time, though LHS seems slightly lower (but not sure about that may just be the way the wheels are turned)

Presumably step 1 is jack up the car remove the wheel and inspect visually..

I assume a broken spring would be easily visible?

Benz-O-Rama

Does your car have the airmatic suspension option? It's standard on the E500's but was an option on the lesser models.

Did you get the 'STOP! Car too low!' message on your MFD?

Gary P

As an update the LHS spring has broken.

Don't have the airmatic self levelling suspension.

Plan to get a new spring, buy a spring compressor and change myself.

Gary P

Have fitted new spring to shock absorber with spring compressor- (not airmatic self levelling)

Having real trouble replacing the sub assembly into car now though.

With the spring in place there is no way I can get enough compression to get the bottom bracket over the lower arm to secure it in place.

What do I do next?

I assume I have to start taking the wheel hanger assemly apart until it will drop low enough that I can put the shock in place and then presumably I can jack it all back up into postion....

By what really needs to be dismantled... have loosened a few nuts but nothing seems to want to move...

Any help appreciated - I'v e looked for other posts but couldn't see anything relevant

Luke@tirerack

disconnect the sway bar to allow for more movement .... it is probably not allowing for wnough travle in the lower control arm

Gary P

Hi Luke

Thanks for this I didn't know what it was called, but I eventually disconnected the short arm that was connected just inside from the lower strut mount point on the lower arm ( I assumed this was connected to some kind of anti-roll bar). this allowed the whole swing arm assy to drop and I was able to re-fit quite easily. Used a jack to position so I could re-attach the short arm.

Easy when you know what to do (and have a spring compressor)

Cheers

Gary

Luke@tirerack

yep .. that part is called an end link .. on side goes to the control arm and the other connects with the end of the sway bar ... linking the end of the sway bar to the control arm

tsj

I have a 2003 (53) E320CDI. 49K miles.... and guess what?

Was parked up the other night and the car just fell to the ground(front drivers side)

Had a quote from a mercedes specialist... ive been quoted £120

He said he knew of the problem too.

tsj

I've had this fixed now for £130

AAlfarah

Hi, I had the front right strut replaced to an arnott (airmatic suspension), after the replacement, we waited a couple of minutes so the pump fills the new strut with air and lowered it, the car looked fine, but as soon as I left the shop, I had the red stop car on dash and both right and left wheels touching the fenders. Please help!!!!