A-Class Front Suspension Strut Failure

[Richard Murray]

Hi

Is anyone aware of component failures regarding A-Class front suspension struts? My wife's car just had a complete failure with the front (O/S) strut shearing. The part that broke was the alloy seat plate that supports the coiled suspension spring.

Luckily she was in a carpark at the time - but it hardly bares thinking about if she'd been driving on a motorway at 70+ mph with the kids in the back. Entire history is MB stamped, having covered approximately 54,000 miles on a 99 (T) plate. Car looks and drives A1.

We purchased the car at 49,000, 6 months and only 4,000 miles after MB dealer completed full service. The car was sold by non-MB dealer, and now outside 3 month warranty supplied with car.

After MB dealer inspected the (N/S) strut they noticed a hairline crack in it - so it too had to be replaced. I'm frankly amazed that this is possible.

I've come across leaking struts, sheared coil springs, worn top mounts, but never a seat plate failure - that actually results in the coiled suspension spring making contact with the tyre surface.

Handed the strut (literally) to MB to investigate which proved fruitless. They claim various things, such as the water which is used to wash the vehicle, detergents used, road salt, driving style, etc, all play a part in component wear and tear.

To cut a long story short - MB replaced one strut and knocked of 10% as goodwill gesture. Also did tracking for free. The original strut which failed was repaired by non MB dealer - as we needed car back on the road as soon as possible.

Apart from being out of pocket - I find it incredible that MB can simply shrug off component failure such as this. I'm convinced it's electrolysis similar to corrosion on outboard marine engines, as the strut component is a steel/alloy composite. Component feels pretty unsubstantial to me - given weight of car, steering friction, etc.

Would be interested to know if any other owners have experienced similar problems. Seems to me MB only act once component fails. Even then it's poor.

Richard

 

[teky]

it would be very difficult to say fatigue due to road conditions and hard driveing speed bumps being the most common cause and i have seen many not just the mb, the damage can be horrendouse, i have seen tyres/suspention/drive shafts/wheels/body work/engine damage even worse when doing any speed

 

[NormanB]

Thats pretty shabby, normally you would expect much better from an MB component - but it is an A Class. :wink:

The fact you have a documented service history would generally preclude the car coveriing more miles than the odometer currently shows (not impossible I know!).

I hesitate to say complain to MBUK direct - only because they way they seem to be behaving of late you will probably get no where!

 

[Richard Murray]

The story so far...

Hi

I did complain to MB UK, however this proved pointless. MB (UK) sent out a letter to acknowledge receipt of my complaint - and then added insult to injury and notified me that the complaint would be dealt with by the dealership.

Sure enough MB dealer follows-up with "we've done all we can" scenario and effectively wash their hands of it.

They (MB UK and MB dealer) both fail to answer my direct questions regards the component failure, my assessment that it's the result of electrolysis and the fact that there is a serious strut design flaw that's only discovered after failure, or when it's brought to their attention and a technician inspects the strut in detail.

I'm not satisfied by any means but I'm over a barrel on this one. Can't really take it any further, however I could always play my joker and parade outside the dealership with a placard with the following... 'Honk if you've been taken up the Khyber Pass lately by your MB dealer!'

Cheers for your help.

Richard