E Class W210 Suspemsion Problem.

[giki]

Hi everyone, I have a W210 E320 Avantgarde which had 16 inch wheels with 225 tyres. It is rear wheel drive and no special suspension or any fancy suspension

stuff. I changed it to 235/40/18 with matching rims by a professional tyre dealer in September last year.

In the past few days it has started bouncing a bit especially the rear passenger part and due to rains i thought maybe the roads were bad. Today i

found that the gap between the rear tyre and fender is 3 fingers on that side and 4 fingers on the other side which is the usual spec.The car was making a

creaking sound when going over speed breakers and i drive gently over them at a speed of no more than 15 kph. The creaking disappeared after 2 bumps

but the car is pulling a lot and the steering is always loaded to one side or the other.The car seems to drag itself in corners and the rear suspension just

does not want to make it to the next one.The cars crashes and dips and all sort of drama on perfectly smooth roads.


Please advise what the problem could be.Thank you.Giki.

 

[jberks]

broken spring?
Get the wheel off. Whatever it is will probably be clearly visible.

 

[Aussie Nick]

The 18's you have put on have new low profile tyres fitted ( no doubt) .The Avantgarde already comes with the sports (stiffer suspension). The new wheels/tyres are larger and wider. All of these factors add up to placing more stress on the suspension and the drive line. The wider tyres have more grip but less spring.This will result into transferring and amplyfying all loads through the wheel bearings to the suspension which is already tuned to be stiffer than the normal E class standard. Accordingly I would suggest that there has been a suspension failure probably in one of the springs, as suggested by the previous member, or /and one or more of the shock absorbers. I would also suggest that the Manufacturer will, in the face of such modification, be recalcitrant in allowing any claim. Further your vehicle Insurer (if any ) is unlkely to also honour any claim including any claim for a car crash.

 

[jberks]

I'm not so sure that the new tyres will have actually caused the problem. Probably just co-incidence. MB springs do fail. Given it's age I assume you won't be asking MB for help anyway. Given that its a 210, whilst you're going over it, I'd check the front end as spring perches on the front can corrode and fail too.

Nick makes a very good point regarding insurance. Changing wheels is a common thing, but telling your insurance company of the modification is less so. Technically I beleive they could wriggle in the case of an accident as you modified the car and didn't tell them.

 

[giki]

Thanks guys, i am taking it to my indie and i guess i might change all the springs with something softer and i had changed the bushes in September with the

new rims on. Looks like a regular spring failure since that part of the car is always load free.I drive it single mostly and the rest of the suspension is pretty

ok.Not a squeak or a bump.Its a 96 year E320 thus shouldn't have the rust problem i suppose.


Insurance is taken care of but thanks anyways Nick.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

While you're in there its worth checking the shocks, while they wouldn't be the cause of the problem at 11-12 years old they certainly might be a bit tired.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Avantgarde Suspension

Hi giki. I did'nt realise that the car was a 96. Jberks's points are valid. It may not be the tyres and wheels. Maybe normal wear and tear. I know that some insurance companies have used the argument that I have raised , over here to avoid liability altogether. It is best to clear the modification with the Insurer in writing , that way there won't be an opportunity to squirm out of the obligation.
As far as getting softer springs I would suggest you go and drive on of the dealer used cars with the softer suspension. I would take the Avantgarde suspension any time. Hey how about a photo of this beautiful beast of yours . Must look awesome with the gear on it. Come on dont be shy. If you do and some one comments "Nice valve caps " Take it as a positive remark and not negative. Regards Aussie Nick

 

[giki]

Hi, just back from my tyre guy for the routine 5000k tyre rotation and guess what...the problem disappeared.No more drama from that end and not even

wheel alignment or balancing done. Maybe the tyres needed it or maybe tyre pressure was low.There is no more noises or the car dragging itself or the

steering having its own mind. Magic!!!!!

Dont have newer pics at the moment wih the 18 inchers.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Yummmmm

Yuuummmmm!!!!!! Nice valve caps mate.
Where can I get one? It has to be good it is a Vic car . Bet you there's no rust in this baby. I bet Maddog will be biting his fingernails after he has a look at this Aussie merc. Eat your heart out Maddog.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Mate. I ought to tell you that I know this car . I have driven it . I know where you got it from and how much you paid for it.
Great car was impressed with it when I drove it . Would definitely not change the suspension on this baby .Tons of car for the bucks. Regards

 

[giki]

Ahem Maddog i dont get whats the deal between you and Nick.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Maddog and I are mates. I just like to Razz him about the English cricket team

 

[giki]

Well fellow members any opinions to improve my car would be good. Do let me know how can i make it look even better.

 

[maddog]

Ahem Maddog i dont get whats the deal between you and Nick.

I've no idea either mate and dont what the hell the valve caps thing is.

I'm a Rugby man not a cricket fan anyhow

I like the wheels but it would look better if that missing part on the front bumper was replaced imo, nice to see an E class without rust and mis matching paint

 

[Aussie Nick]

Define Nice Valve Caps

Ahem Ahem Giki.
I am hoping that some other Honourble Member herein will provide the common definition of "Nice valve caps". I think the authorship of this term is to be attributed to another longstanding member of this forum.:!:

Further I would respectfully suggest that if the learned Member were to change his patronage from Rugby to Australian Rules He could then follow the Western Bulldogs. If he did that then there would be additional points of interest for discussion on this forum.

Further again, the learned senior member is directed to ebay item 280184615237 where a purchase by himself of the said item would add a degree of flair and individuality to his Merc and also his standing

 

[giki]

Trouble Trouble .....

Guys the problem is back again and i guess the reason is that the front is out of alignment thus the car is fighting with me to point straight and at the rear the

suspension is alright as i checked,no leaks or cracks but still the car pulls to one side which i guess doesn't have to do anything with the rear wheels.The car still

bounces on even roads at the rear passenger side which is a bit puzzling.

 

[Aussie Nick]

You will need to raise the car on a hoist to establish the source of the suspension failure.
This will mean an examination of all suspension parts from underneath in good light.

 

[deacon]

E class

I've no idea either mate and dont what the hell the valve caps thing is.

I'm a Rugby man not a cricket fan anyhow

I like the wheels but it would look better if that missing part on the front bumper was replaced imo, nice to see an E class without rust and mis matching paint

maddog about six months ago I bought a 1997 E class one lady doctor owner from new 47K on the clock genuine with all paper work from the day it left
the work shop and the name of the person who dispatched it incredible,
this car looked as though it had never been out on the road, then a couple of weeks after buying it I left it parked on a side road near the city centre
when I came back to it some low life had swiped it down the drivers side
just under the swage line on the two doors and a slight nick in the front wing,
OK I am fully insured to cover anything so Igot in touch with my insurance company gues what they wanted to call my car a write off because of its age, not a spot of rust any where and you would have to look for the dents
in the doors, Hope I have not gone on too much about my car but the whole
thing with insurance companies makes me sick

you

 

[Aussie Nick]

Wil someone please define "Nice valve caps " Anyone Please!!!!! For the Learned Honourable Senior Member. And has the said Senior Member looked up ebay item (international search) 2801 84615237 for when he becomes a member of the Western Bulldogs (AUS of course)