2003 C230k Sport Sedan Suspension Promblems
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
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2003 C230
2003 C230k Sport Sedan Suspension Promblems
Hi,
I was in an accident a little while ago and ever since the car feels like the body is going to come off of the frame. In other words it drives like my grandmas old buik. I was hit in the left rear tire area. The Left Rear tire was almost at a 45 degree angle, air bags deployed, yada yada yaada.
The LT Rear Suspension (No Part numbers listed) and L Rear Shock absorber assy (203 320 07 31) were replaced. State Farm only uses recycled parts now. Some Rocker Mouldings, Pinch Weld Repair (what ever that is) on the Right and Left. After I got it back the first time the steering was too loose and I took it back and they said the Rack and Pinion had to be replaced, and they replaced it, but still when I go through a canyon the body sways dramatically in either direction.
I really love the car, how it handled, its a 6 speed. 1.8L Superchg 4 cyl, 6M RWD. I want to know what the problem is, and get it fixed. I took it back to the same shop they said everything seems fine, and silently implied I dont know **** about how my car is supposed to handle
So if you could give me some ideas?
Thank you
I was in an accident a little while ago and ever since the car feels like the body is going to come off of the frame. In other words it drives like my grandmas old buik. I was hit in the left rear tire area. The Left Rear tire was almost at a 45 degree angle, air bags deployed, yada yada yaada.
The LT Rear Suspension (No Part numbers listed) and L Rear Shock absorber assy (203 320 07 31) were replaced. State Farm only uses recycled parts now. Some Rocker Mouldings, Pinch Weld Repair (what ever that is) on the Right and Left. After I got it back the first time the steering was too loose and I took it back and they said the Rack and Pinion had to be replaced, and they replaced it, but still when I go through a canyon the body sways dramatically in either direction.
I really love the car, how it handled, its a 6 speed. 1.8L Superchg 4 cyl, 6M RWD. I want to know what the problem is, and get it fixed. I took it back to the same shop they said everything seems fine, and silently implied I dont know **** about how my car is supposed to handle
So if you could give me some ideas?
Thank you
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 5
From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
find a frame shop ... don't tell them it was recently in a body shop .. just say it doesn't feel right ... they'll find the problem ... body shops are great with body repair .. suspension is another animal altogether
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
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2003 C230
Yea, I tried to take it to a European repair shop that specialized in suspension (that did free estimates), but my girlfriend had to butt in and mention that it was just in the shop and they could not find anything wrong with the suspension...
The shop said they wouldn't give me a free diag.... I suppose I should suck it up and pay the $100, eh?
I just dont want to spend the money and find that nothing is wrong and then again be stumped on why I feel like my car is going to fly into the next lane everytime theres a bump when traveling down the 405 freeway.
Also, Has this happened with anyone else? Maybe the suspension has to be tuned? The Shock absorbers that were replaced were not OEM? etc.
Is there a way to tune the suspension myself? And finally, My Cam Cylinoid is leaking, and has leaked into the engine wiring harness. Dealship recommended to replace the ECU as well as the wire hubs. Could this at all effect whatever may control my suspension electronically? Another mechanic said the ECU was fine because the engine didn't mis fire when he reved the engine.
I apologize for my ignorance here, I know a bit when working on older domestic cars, but they dont compare to German engineering. Give me a 95-02 jeep, or an old chevy and I can fix majority of the equipment on there. I guess theres a reason why my oil changes now cost $100. Im not complaining because I only have to do it every 30k-50k miles, compared to the 2.5k-3k miles on any other car for $15. If you do the math im saving around $150 on oil changes in a 50k mile run.
And thank you Luke for your input, it is very much appreciated. And I would like to thank everyone else in advance for any input they may share.
-Matt Smith
The shop said they wouldn't give me a free diag.... I suppose I should suck it up and pay the $100, eh?
I just dont want to spend the money and find that nothing is wrong and then again be stumped on why I feel like my car is going to fly into the next lane everytime theres a bump when traveling down the 405 freeway.
Also, Has this happened with anyone else? Maybe the suspension has to be tuned? The Shock absorbers that were replaced were not OEM? etc.
Is there a way to tune the suspension myself? And finally, My Cam Cylinoid is leaking, and has leaked into the engine wiring harness. Dealship recommended to replace the ECU as well as the wire hubs. Could this at all effect whatever may control my suspension electronically? Another mechanic said the ECU was fine because the engine didn't mis fire when he reved the engine.
I apologize for my ignorance here, I know a bit when working on older domestic cars, but they dont compare to German engineering. Give me a 95-02 jeep, or an old chevy and I can fix majority of the equipment on there. I guess theres a reason why my oil changes now cost $100. Im not complaining because I only have to do it every 30k-50k miles, compared to the 2.5k-3k miles on any other car for $15. If you do the math im saving around $150 on oil changes in a 50k mile run.
And thank you Luke for your input, it is very much appreciated. And I would like to thank everyone else in advance for any input they may share.
-Matt Smith
