C-class suspension problems

[tico]

My 2002 C class suspension sounds like its about to fall apart if i travel over anything other than smooth motorways.

We have 3 others in our fleet ALL of which have had this problem.

does anyone know the lowdown on the cause & solution??

 

[Zorro]

My 220 CDI estate (2001 model) has had the same problem. I bought it second-hand at a year old, and the front suspension soon started to show problems - faint sort of knocking noise when travelling over certain bumpy surfaces. Had it seen to under warranty and they replaced suspension links (at least, I think that's what they said). They lasted but a short while and I had them done again. When the problem reappeared a couple of months ago, the dealership replaced the links and some other component to which the link fitted. All ok so far.
At the dealership, in response to my question, they said that they had had a few cars with this problem. Seems its not common to all cars but certainly it's not infrequent.
As your cars are pretty new, aren't they covered by the 3 year warranty? If so, get the Mercedes dealer to sort them out.

 

[northwest-tech]

2 problems atm on 203

1 anti roll bar links
2 anti roll bar bushes

there are modified parts for both availible

 

[piestore]

roll bar

Hi

Roll bar troubles are the cause of creaking and groaning there is a modified roll bar which has the bushes moulded to it get your local dealer to fit on warrenty

 

[Andy]

Hi

I would (if the car has done a few miles) check the front lower suspension arm. I have noticed a few of these starting to crack the rubber bushing.


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[casman]

anti roll bar replaced on my c220 cdi afew weeks ago. Fault on the c-class. The new modified ones should last

 

[jnorton]

Hi

My C320 ( W203 ) sounds to be doing something simular. When travelling on smooth surfaces it seems OK, but when you get onto a side road where it's typically bumpy as there is left and right, up and down wheel movement theres a clucking type sound from underneath.
Even if you you hit a bump or speed ramp, were both front wheels are lifted at the sametime it does not seem to effect, only as the car rocks individually at the front etc.. Also there seems to be a knocking now when I rock the steering left and right !! The car is just over years old now with 50K on the clock !

I need to have it checked, it ruins the feel and drive of the car.

 

[Peter C]

On my second W203, Sept 2002 and just got the same clunking noise from front right which I'm guessing is the rollbar. Had same problem on my Nov 2000 car, which had the modified part fitted. Wouldn't you think MB would fit the modified part as original equipment on the later build cars? It seems to me that they haven't and are taking a percentage view on owners not noticing the noise and not bringing the cars back under warranty.

My first W203 had about 20 faults and eventually the dealer exchanged it, albeit at a cost to me, supposedly at cost price to them ie zero profit. How is the build quality generally these days?

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Build quality these days is going from bad to worse....next time buy a Lexus. They will phone you before you hear any knock and ask you to come in for replacement. Actually they wont, because it won't fail in the first place.