Any advice?

[3898johnm]

Having been advised that my 1997 E230 would soon need new engine mounts I took it to a good local garage who fitted new mounts and a new wishbone each side. However and as I have had mounts done before on another Merc I expected a smooth ride. However the car seems to pick up on every ridge on the road and feels very hard and rigid. There is no vibration through the steering wheel and on nice level surfaces the ride is smooth.I called in to the garage a few days ago and mentioned the 'problem' to the boss. He said that as both mounts and wishbones had been renewed this was to be expected. Later on I thought this doesn't make sense as on a new Merc all the bits are new but of course there is no hardness. Could anyone advise?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[huey]

Normally it's like driving a different car, much better have they put genuine MB mounts on or aftermarket ones?

 

[television]

Interesting points here.

When the engine mounts have gone you can feel the buzz from the engine through the pedals and steering wheel, when replaced this all goes and the car back to normal.

So you problems are suspension related, where they genuine parts, even so the camber adjustment marks could have been lost when fitting and it will probably now require a full suspension set up

 

[3898johnm]

Thanks for your comments. I will call in again and check. However, once fitted it would be impossible to check the mounts. Presumably the wishbones, if patent parts, would be good enough...wouldn't they? If need be I will pay for Mercedes mounts and learn another lesson from the experience.

 

[bigtwin]

I has this 2 weeks ago with similar work (minus the engine mounts). Despite a large bill from an indep, the ride was pants. Took it back and got them to pay for a proper set-up at the suspension specialists. 90 mins later drove like a different car. This was with pattern mounts/bushes etc too.

 

[brandwooddixon]

I would say to get it checked.
Engine mounts wont make any difference to the ride hardness.
They may have preloaded the bushes by tightening the lower arm bolts to their final torque with the suspension hanging rather than with the car resting on its wheels.
I take it that they didn't replace the springs? These would have to have been removed in order to fit the new wishbones.

 

[3898johnm]

Any more advice?

Malcolm suggested a full suspension set up. Is this the same procedure as the geometry setting which was done when I had the sub frame replaced two years ago or an additional procedure? I checked with the garage and the engine mounts were genuine Mercedes parts. So by renewing the wishbones did this mean the geometry was a necessary part of the procedure? Is this a really specialist job? While the garage is very helpful I am wondering if they have the requisite tools for the job. I would be grateful for yet more advice.Thanks in advance.

 

[television]

Malcolm suggested a full suspension set up. Is this the same procedure as the geometry setting which was done when I had the sub frame replaced two years ago or an additional procedure? I checked with the garage and the engine mounts were genuine Mercedes parts. So by renewing the wishbones did this mean the geometry was a necessary part of the procedure? Is this a really specialist job? While the garage is very helpful I am wondering if they have the requisite tools for the job. I would be grateful for yet more advice.Thanks in advance.

I would advise you to get the car to Chesham to WIM if the subframe or other parts have been off then to get it back to the way it should be only the set ups like WIM can do it. They charge about £140 for this, but you could save this within a short mileage on tyre life and wear

 

[3898johnm]

Any more advice.

Many thanks for the prompt reply Malcolm. As I am in east London direction Chesham is a bit far for an old boy like me. However there is an excellent place in Epping that do all Mercedes work so if need be I will call upon their services. The garage that I found do MOTs and all sorts generally.They are so helpful and polite etc. I find it hard to question their ability but I now get the feeling that I will have to be brave as I like to have things as near to perfection as possible. I think most of us are the same when we know of a niggling thing that could be made better. Thanks again Malcolm and a Happy New Year to you and everyone on the forum.

 

[Benzworx]

If I can help give me a call i have customers in Chigwell

 

[3898johnm]

Thanks Benzworx. I am near Gants Hill. I am going to see the garage that fitted the engine mounts/wishbones. He said he would need the car for three to four hours so he must have a good idea what he needs to do. However I am a worrier and can't help wondering why, whatever it is, wasn't done at the time. If he can't reassure me I will give you a call.

 

[Benzworx]

How did you get on all sorted ?

Clive

 

[3898johnm]

It is in the garage at this moment. Should be ready by tomorrow. I will report back tomorrow evening. (Friday).

 

[3898johnm]

Picked the car up today. Nothing new. However when he took the car for a test run before Christmas he almost immediately nodded his agreement that the ride was not as it should be and mentioned shock absorbers. I was thinking that prior to fitting the mounts/wishbones shocks had never been mentioned. Anyway he checked everything and could find no fault. My own opinion is that although very knowledgeable he does not have the equipment for the setting of the suspension geometry. Is this really a particularly precision job? I am determined to get this right so if you are happy to see me Clive then I will get in touch.

 

[3898johnm]

Brandwooddixon mentioned this so obviously would be one of the first things to check. Hopefully all will be revealed eventually.

 

[Benzworx]

Picked the car up today. Nothing new. However when he took the car for a test run before Christmas he almost immediately nodded his agreement that the ride was not as it should be and mentioned shock absorbers. I was thinking that prior to fitting the mounts/wishbones shocks had never been mentioned. Anyway he checked everything and could find no fault. My own opinion is that although very knowledgeable he does not have the equipment for the setting of the suspension geometry. Is this really a particularly precision job? I am determined to get this right so if you are happy to see me Clive then I will get in touch.

Hi Jonh sorry to hear that your 124 problems have not been resolved
no problem give me a ring and we can sort this, plus just looking at your no 1 post you say that the garage said you need a new engine soon ?

Clive Tel 07861 745402

 

[carloss]

Brandwooddixon mentioned this so obviously would be one of the first things to check. Hopefully all will be revealed eventually.

Really sorry about that John i didnt go through the whole thread however it appears to me now that its obvious

 

[carloss]

However when he took the car for a test run before Christmas he almost immediately nodded his agreement that the ride was not as it should be and mentioned shock absorbers. .

is your indie on drugs

 

[giuseppe]

Go to "Wheels In Motion" as Malcolm suggested, they are the specialist.????.

 

[3898johnm]

A bit of confusion crept in. The car is a 1997 e230 210 and doesn't need a new engine. It needed engine mounts. However when mounts were fitted new wishbones were also fitted. The suspension became rigid/hard. Malcolm suggested that a full suspension geometry set up was needed to put things right. Chesham is a bit too far so I am looking for somewhere in Essex. Clive, is this one of the things you specialise in?