DIY servicing- W210

[Stuart Elliott]

So I'm about to do the rear bush replacement on my w210 estate. I've already purchased the four bushes from Lemforder gaining a level of assurance that I'm replacing the old worn out items with a quality replacement.

I've read brandwooddixon's excellent writeup, so I'm fingers crossed for a uneventful swop. Having access to a two post lift and an assortment of tools will assist in that department; hopefully.

Whilst the car is up in the air I'll be replacing the rear discs and pads as they were an item picked up as an advisory on the recent MOT. Also I'll be giving it a oil service as its approaching that time again.

Couple of questions beforehand;

1, Where can I purchase a sump gasket, ECP don't have one listed. Confirmed via telephone, is there an alternative supplier than the dealers who can provide a like for like quality replacement?

2, Gearbox oil and filter; as above wheres best to purchase these items?

3, Rear discs removal; Correct me if I'm wrong but the handbrake shoes are inside the rear discs. How straightforwards is it to remove the disc; is there an adjuster to release tension from the shoes in order to remove the disc?

Kind regards
Stuart

 

[JBell]

1, Where can I purchase a sump gasket, ECP don't have one listed. Confirmed via telephone, is there an alternative supplier than the dealers who can provide a like for like quality replacement?

Try Grangemouth Mercedes, they are forum sponsors

Gearbox oil and filter; as above where is best to purchase these items?

As above or try E-Bay, loads of OEM oils on there

 

[EmilysDad]

......

Couple of questions beforehand;

1, Where can I purchase a sump gasket, ECP don't have one listed. ....

Ar you sure MB use a gasket? My last car & my Smart Roadster used sealant in a tube on the sump pan

 

[Stuart Elliott]

Ar you sure MB use a gasket? My last car & my Smart Roadster used sealant in a tube on the sump pan

I'm assuming so as I'm unable to see any evidence of sealant residue. And their are listings for them on eBay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...+.TRS0&_nkw=w210+320cdi+sump+gasket+&_sacat=0

 

[Stuart Elliott]

Try Grangemouth Mercedes, they are forum sponsors
As above or try E-Bay, loads of OEM oils on there

Thanks will do.

 

[Wighty]

Thanks will do.

Gearbox oil , have a look on eBay for Fuchs ATF 4134 (cheaper than the Merc ATF , but meets the latest spec )

 

[curious]

Can I ask why are you replacing the sump gasket? Is there an issue you haven't mentioned?

 

[Stuart Elliott]

Can I ask why are you replacing the sump gasket? Is there an issue you haven't mentioned?

Theres a small oil leak coming from the oil level sensor. If I need to drop the sump in order to change the seal then I have one at hand.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Always worth asking the MB dealership for a price. I've often found them on par with or cheaper than some.

The rear discs are pretty straight forward to replace. There's an access hole on the back plate that will allow you to get to the shoe adjuster with a flat bladed screw driver. From memory it's towards the rear of the car. The only real difficulty is replacing the shoe springs (retainer spring in particular). Best give the handbrake linkages a good clean up whilst the disc is off.

 

[Stuart Elliott]

A little update on the job so far. I've replaced the four rear bushes and I'm unhappy to say that the rear 'banging' noise is still exists. So I'm thinking its looking like the rear self levelling shock absorbers are to blame. Nothing else on the rear subframe if worn would make such a severe/ loud bang over the smallest of pot holes or uneven road surface.

So the next question is. The rear shocks from ECP manufactured by Sachs are listed up at £357 plus the dreaded. Is there an alternative to this? As in completely removing the Merc self levelling shocks altogether and fitting a normal spring/ shocker combination in a kit form?

There's nothing in the service file to reference a change of rear shocks or the fronts for that matter so I'm guessing their either the original items, or may have only been replaced the once over in its 197k journey to date.

As far as the sump gasket goes. I've managed to replace that with a genuine Mercedes item from the dealers. I'll list prices and part numbers later. Was a bit of a swine to complete as you need to drop the front subframe down (supported) plus remove the Anti Roll Bar links off permitting the ARL to swing down, allowing ample space guiding the sump pan out.

Rear discs and pads were a doddle thanks to the above advice, so the rear discs and pads have been replaced with the Pagid brand.

Thanks
Stuart

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The ‘banging’ noise you refer to at the rear will in all likelihood be the sphere units and not the shock absorber itself. The sphere units are available from ECP

https://www.eurocarparts.com/suspension-sphere

When they start to fail the back of car bounces around as if it’s a solid board

 

[om613]

Failed spheres don't 'bang', IME, they just give a hard ride, as the gas damping medium within is absent.

The hollow 'bang' sound you have may well be the bottom ball joint on the ram. Not replaceable, goes on for years, very annoying.
These Sachs rams are not handed and there are no alternative suppliers.

 

[Stuart Elliott]

The ‘banging’ noise you refer to at the rear will in all likelihood be the sphere units and not the shock absorber itself. The sphere units are available from ECP

https://www.eurocarparts.com/suspension-sphere

When they start to fail the back of car bounces around as if it’s a solid board

Great thanks for that info.

 

[Stuart Elliott]

Failed spheres don't 'bang', IME, they just give a hard ride, as the gas damping medium within is absent.

The hollow 'bang' sound you have may well be the bottom ball joint on the ram. Not replaceable, goes on for years, very annoying.
These Sachs rams are not handed and there are no alternative suppliers.

Something that I can't live with at all. It's driving me up the wall.

 

[Stuart Elliott]

Reviving this thread as I've done some updates in the last week.

Fitted two new spheres and two new upper suspension strut bushes. And guess what the noise is still there. It's looking like the struts are the culprit as from my knowledge there is nothing else worn out on the rear end suspension/ bush wise that I haven't already replaced.

Just to clarify its had the following replaced;

1. All four subframe bushes (Lemforder)
2. 2 x spheres (ECP)
3. 2 x rear upper suspension strut bush (genuine Merc)

Before I go and take the plunge of buying new rear shocks. Is there anything that I'm overlooking here.

Thanks in advance.
Stuart

 

[mercedes13156]

Gearbox oil , have a look on eBay for Fuchs ATF 4134 (cheaper than the Merc ATF , but meets the latest spec )

Is Mercedes ATF not Fuchs 4134?

 

[LostKiwi]

The lower arm has a bush that can rattle at the hub end.

 

[Wighty]

Is Mercedes ATF not Fuchs 4134?

It may be , but it's twice the price . ( I think I read ages ago on opie oils site that Fuchs may be factory fill for MB ?) , either way , it's what I use .

 

[towat]

Have you checked it's not the spare wheel bouncing about?

 

[bob 6600]

Oil sump gasket is likely dealer only and is a front subframe off job.

Rear discs are easy, you just need to back off the handbrake - there are videos on this