Any Suggestions!!! W124 1995 E220 Sideways Wobble!!!

[r05h]

Hi everyone.....am new to the forum

Need help/advice have a W124 mercedes, 1995 4 door E220 with 130,000 miles

When the car is traveling in a straight line above 40-50mph, it wobbles from side to side, even though the steering wheel is not moved. The sideways movement is not always there, but regular enough to notice. Is similar to the effect caused when a strong gust of wind blows against the side of the car whilst travelling at speed. Also the problem gets worse the faster you go.

It also happens at lower speeds and whilst taking corners (feels like the car is sliding).

It was suggested that I should check the rear suspension links and the top strut at the front checked for play. These have both been checked and there is no excessive play in either apart from some of the rubber has perished on some of the bushes. Also I have had the all the wheels balanced. The mechanic who balanced the tyres also test drove the car and said he has never seen anything like this.

Any ideas or suggestion as to what could be the problem.
Have been advised to get the car 4 wheel aligned, but have already spent a fair bit.....do not want this to become a bottomless pit, but at the same time do not want to throw the car as it was a retirement present to my dad.

Once again ANY help or suggestion would be gratefully received as am at my wits end!!!

Many thanks for your time and knowledge.

regards

 

[Bolide]

One suggestion: take it to someone who understands these cars. If you tell us where you live someone will be able to recommend a local independent specialist

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[r05h]

am based in West London, near Heathrow.

 

[kth286]

r05H

It needs a methodical work through the whole of the suspension and steering/tracking components.

Either phone me on 0118 946 4956 and leave message re contact number, or email
me at:- kth286&aol.com and I will get back to you and discuss how we may be able to sort the problem.

Lots of experience on 124 suspension, steering and tracking, doing it all myself.

 

[kjm975]

A little while back I was in the car recovery business in Kent and Southeast London, we used to take a few cars up to Mercs Only, Unit 3 Boston Bsns Pk, Trumpers Way, W7 2QA, Tel: (020) 8606 9333.

I don’t know if they are any good but they seem to be well organized and very knowledgable and they always have a full workshop when ever I visited.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Might sound daft, but have you checked the tyres and rims for trueness?

It's often possible to balance a tyre even though it's not round.

I'm sure that with the aid of a jack you can rig up a Heath Robinson device which would give you a rough idea of whether the rims are warped/bent or the tyres out of round.

 

[grpar]

Have you tried Colin Ferns in Richmond, just off the A316 near Richmond roundabout ... ? They were very helpful when I used them. Do a google on colin ferns.

 

[jibcl500]

Might sound daft, but have you checked the tyres and rims for trueness?

It's often possible to balance a tyre even though it's not round.

I'm sure that with the aid of a jack you can rig up a Heath Robinson device which would give you a rough idea of whether the rims are warped/bent or the tyres out of round.

Agree with Chris, get the tyres and rims checked first, I had a wheel taht went oval on me and it was hell.

Fronts will be easy to check, rears a little harder being auto I assume.

jib

 

[Blakey]

I had a high mileage W124 a number of years ago. It had the same problem you describe, but generally only when accelerating hard - you would get a sideways movement one way, then when releasing the acceleration, it would swing back the other way.

It was a Dealership that dealt with it. They called it 'crabbing' and it is to do with perished rubber on rear suspension links. I can't remember specifically which links they were, and I no longer have the car or the service record. It was a few hundred quid to repair if I remember correctly, but it solved the problem completely.

Hope you get it sorted,

Blakey.

 

[Bolide]

You say that "some of the rubber has perished on some of the bushes". I don't think you need to be a rocket scientist to deduce that this might be related to the problem

Pulling one way then the other as you go on and off the accelerator is a torque reaction and it's worn rear camber links that cause the problem. They're £13 each

In general I'd say a squirming sideways wobble would be caused by, in order of likelyhood:

* bad front tyre
* worn front suspension ball joints
* rear camber control arm

If the front tyre wear is strange then that points to the fault being at the front. Strange rear tyre wear = rear problem. The state of the tyres will be a good guide to where the problem(s) lie

Until you replace the worn bushes and have it inspected by someone who knows what they're doing I don't think you'll find the problem

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[rayhennig]

Hello r05h: Did you solve the problem?

I have a very similar problem and the garage is saying, "No problem or worn parts found."

Have you solved your problem?

Do tell all.

RayH