New Shocks, Alignment issue

Raja Taimoor

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Hello All!

Three out of four shocks were leaking and I replaced all four with Belstien OEM on my non ADS W140, S500, 1996 with new 235/60 R16 Bridgestone Turanzas. But honestly speaking I felt no difference in the ride.

Still doesn't float, is very stiff, rocks on every minor bump and the wheels (especially the rears) feel like hitting hard into the pot holes. Can even feel the cracks on the road surface and just don't ask about how it rattles. Even my friend's old Toyota Camry feels a lot smoother!

Indi agrees to my observation but says suspension is perfect.

My suspicions:
1. aging suspension bushes and rubber
2. stiff springs (the rear left squeeks)
3. some alignment issue
4. new shocks are stiff and may soften down with time (have heard that brand new MBs are stiff and gradually soften down)

Guidance is requested:-

1. to help improve the ride
2. for alignment settings for a regular driver with moderate cornering requirements (left hand drive)

Are Sachs shocks any softer than Bilstein or do they all conform to the same OEM specs

Regards

Raja
 

dieselman

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Your Mercedes
A diesel
It's probably the tyres causing the sharp bumps to be felt. Bridgstones are notorious for hard sidewalls.

New dampers and springs will always feel stiffer than old ones by nature of being new.
 

carabind

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Your Mercedes
e class
It's probably the tyres causing the sharp bumps to be felt. Bridgstones are notorious for hard sidewalls.

New dampers and springs will always feel stiffer than old ones by nature of being new.
.........and because the bushes are soft woth age,ball joints a little slack it exagerates the effect. What mileage have you done?

And is it "noise" you are hearing over bumps , or is it "impact" (there is a difference but you need to be tune in)

You need to try/witch to alterntoave tyres - or drop a couple of PSI (but stay within recomendations)
 
OP
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Raja Taimoor

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.........and because the bushes are soft woth age,ball joints a little slack it exagerates the effect. What mileage have you done?

And is it "noise" you are hearing over bumps , or is it "impact" (there is a difference but you need to be tune in)

You need to try/witch to alterntoave tyres - or drop a couple of PSI (but stay within recomendations)

Thanks every body! Couldn't reply in time as I was traveling.

I have 140K on the clock. Reducing the tyre pressure to 28 and 30PSI (recommended 30 and 32) has helped and after about 2200 km the shocks also seem to be behaving softer. I wonder if it's the low pressure or the shocks are actually!

Yes carabind, it's impact only, without any noise from the suspension. The impact alone makes the interior rattle though.

Interestingly, I had sifted this brand new set of tyres (less than 300km used) to my S500 from a recent purchase-1995 S320, with 109K. The latter glided perfectly on these without any rattle or noise, even with higher tyre pressure and despite the car being lighter than S500. On the other hand, the S500 behaved equally rough and rigid with older tyres and leaking shocks. Any comments!

Raja
 


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