CL500 216 (2014 model) - Front Suspension Issues

[Chris-Chester]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the Forum and apologies in advance as I'm not technical at all!

I managed to smash the front RHS wheel on my CL500 (w216) and cause a bit of damage to the front arm. Ended up being an insurance job and specified that my car goes into Mercedes so that all work is guaranteed.
They ended up changing both front ABC struts as part of the insurance claim which I was happy about and the car drives well (straight) but.....
1. The ride is too high at the front (at least 1/2 inch higher) than before the accident
2. The subframe is no longer straight (there is greater gap between the tyre and wheel arch on the right compared to the left hand side)

So my 2 questions to all you lovely people and experts:

1. Will the car settle (only done 50 miles since I picked it up yesterday) and struts will lower themselves a bit more?
2. Will the wonky front subframe (or axle) cause my tyres to wear unevenly? Is it even safe to drive fast and around corners?

I was planning to take it back down to Wheels In Motion (6 hours rtn journey) who were the only people who sort out my alignment tracking issues in the past. Or shall i just take it back to Mercedes (or their Inchcape body shop at Volskswagen to be more precise) and ask them to look at it again?

Thank you in advance for any answers/advice/suggestions. Much appreicated!

Regards

Chris

 

[Wighty]

I’m not technical either buddy , but if there is a clearly measurable misalignment I would return it to whoever just did (didn’t ) do the work correctly first time
Welcome by the way

 

[Chris-Chester]

I’m not technical either buddy , but if there is a clearly measurable misalignment I would return it to whoever just did (didn’t ) do the work correctly first time
Welcome by the way

thank you very much, good idea!

 

[ajlsl600]

Both issues should be resolved by repair facility ride height should not be a major issue .dont much like the sound of the subframe story .pictures did you sign a satisfaction note ?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I would imagine the car needs a rodeo session on STAR diagnostics to level the car after the new struts were fitted was this done?

 

[Chris-Chester]

Both issues should be resolved by repair facility ride height should not be a major issue .dont much like the sound of the subframe story .pictures did you sign a satisfaction note ?

Well i signed something to get the car back (and paid my Insurance Excess to them) but definitely no Satisfaction forms through the insurance company, I'll take it back and ask

 

[Chris-Chester]

I would imagine the car needs a rodeo session on STAR diagnostics to level the car after the new struts were fitted was this done?

I doubt it, thank you very much for the tip. I'll mention it to them

 

[ajlsl600]

I doubt it, thank you very much for the tip. I'll mention it to them

Think it would have been done.but maybe they hit the ok, accept ,enter,button to slowly I did mine three times before I got mine right.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Ride height is going to be incorrect/bent linkages and mounting points for the front arms where the level sensors bolt to the body.

Wonky subframe is a big one and will cause undue tyre wear, I would think that they have not aligned something correctly, or that something is still bent. I would be taking it back......

 

[Chris-Chester]

Ride height is going to be incorrect/bent linkages and mounting points for the front arms where the level sensors bolt to the body.

Wonky subframe is a big one and will cause undue tyre wear, I would think that they have not aligned something correctly, or that something is still bent. I would be taking it back......

thanks for the advice I’ll ring them first thing in the morning...

 

[bembo449]

Reads like shoddy workmanship to me

 

[Botus]

I'm on another page.... how do we know the subframe is bent? the way I read the post, you think its wrong coz ride height is incorrect?

which for me might be something else... ABC systems need decent maintenance, if its over 50k miles could be it got worn out and someone adjusted its right height in software to hide / bodge up a maint issue? now you have 2 decent struts its just sitting at the wrong levels someone wrote to the car

lets understand what's up with the subframe first? if they threw 2 ABC struts at the car hardly sounds like cutting corners

 

[alexanderfoti]

The struts don't define the ride height though, the level sensors do, independently, and they may not have been out back correctly

 

[Chris-Chester]

Car has only done 32k miles, took it back yesterday and told them to keep it for a week and they promised to do it properly this time, see what happens!

 

[Craiglxviii]

The struts don't define the ride height though, the level sensors do, independently, and they may not have been out back correctly

^^^ this.

Something is misaligned, it needs to be fixed!

 

[Chris-Chester]

^^^ this.

Something is misaligned, it needs to be fixed!

Thank you very much

 

[ajlsl600]

My limited experience of Abc
3 choice.
Get yr own star system or = and have patience,do research
Or be prepared to throw money at it..
Find a recommended indy who understands situation and wont rip you off.
I opted for choice 1 .whilst not in any way claiming to be an expert on subject I managed to resolve any abc issues that came my way.all electric,electronic I had several goes at ride height before I got it where it should be.