E320 CDi Front Tyre Wear

[toby1]

Ok work completed.

2 new front springs
2 new drop links
2 new front lower arms
A few new bolts and nuts
Re-seat one rear spring

total bill of around £548.

Car now sits quite high at the front (too high so I hope it settles) but the wheels look like they've been "brought in". Now need to re-book back to WiM for (hopefully!) final checks.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I have seen this issue many times on W210's and what causes this issue mainly is sagged front springs which throws the ride height to pieces which in turn affects the camber of the wheels. So measure the ride height first.

The repair I always do is replace the front springs and the rubber spring cups. Obviously check the rest of the suspension for wear as well. Then have a 4 alignment carried out and replace all the camber bolts.

I have done a good few of these in the past and never had further complaint.

 

[toby1]

Thanks Steve. Does the height settle over time? I've had it back a week and done about 200 miles but it's still looking "nose-up".

It has to go back for a diesel leak so I'll ask them to check it anyway.

 

[television]

I wonder if the used the correct springs

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

The car is probably sat in the correct position and is at the correct height but you have got used to seeing it sat sagged low!

I would just do what Malc says and check the correct springs have been fitted. I always get mine supplied from the dealer so they can check the data card and ensure the correct ones are supplied.

Without seeing it it would be hard to say if your car is sat abnormally or not.

 

[marshyboy]

As I say, you think you have problems!
5,000 miles and tracking done when they were fitted. The other side isn't any better.

mine are like that but on the out side any one have a reason for me

 

[toby1]

Took it back and they had a look. He called 3 MB dealers (separate owners) without using the colour code on the spring, and they all came up with the same part number.

Booked in next Friday for leaking diesel pipes so they'll have a look and see everything's as it should be, fitment-wise.

BTW, if anyone out there has a similar car to mine and would be prepared to measure the trim height (middle of wheel straight up to wing arch) i would be extremely grateful.

 

[toby1]

Took some pics this morning. For reference the rear is 35cm. Tyre size is 235/45/17

 

[dieselman]

Took it back and they had a look. He called 3 MB dealers (separate owners) without using the colour code on the spring, and they all came up with the same part number.

Booked in next Friday for leaking diesel pipes so they'll have a look and see everything's as it should be, fitment-wise.

BTW, if anyone out there has a similar car to mine and would be prepared to measure the trim height (middle of wheel straight up to wing arch) i would be extremely grateful.

About 36cm front and 37cm rear should be close enough.

As you have had new front springs the rear will appear a little sagged now and will tend to feel soggy in comparison.

What p/n did the dealers come up with for the front springs? Without knowing the exact spec of your car I make it 210 321 21 04

 

[toby1]

Yes I had considered that the rear springs might now look a bit tired. I have an empty boot BTW!

Part number fitted was A 210 321 30 04.

I don't know of any members with a similar model and year so I thought it was worth a try for comparison's sake.

 

[dieselman]

Yes I had considered that the rear springs might now look a bit tired. I have an empty boot BTW!

Part number fitted was A 210 321 30 04.

Pillocks.

They are Classic/Elegance springs. No wonder it's a bit high.

 

[toby1]

Are you 100% sure on that? How can you tell? Thanks for looking BTW

 

[toby1]

I've mailed a contact i have at another MB dealer for a 2nd opinion. Let's see what he makes it.

Cheers for your help dieselman

 

[toby1]

Yep, it appears that you are correct dieselman.

My contact has come up with A210 321 21 04.

Apparently they've made an error it totting up the points from the data card, however he did say it's an easy mistake to make.

Anyway, I have something to go back to them with now. Possible light glimmering at the end of the tunnel.....?

 

[dieselman]

Apparently they've made an error it totting up the points from the data card, however he did say it's an easy mistake to make.

It's not the points that are wrong, it's the model version.
I made the points 84 iirc, so it gave that p/n for Avantgarde/AMG springs.

The number they used was for standard suspension, which is why it looked ready for the Dakkar rally..

Make sure you fit new rears as well and the aluminium sacrificial anodes under the front springs.

 

[toby1]

Rears will have to wait unfortunately. This car's taken £1,600 from me in the last 6 months and has now developed an EGR issue I think.

What're the anodes out of interest? If you have a part number, even better and I'll ask them to fit them too.

thanks

 

[toby1]

Good news! Springs have been acknowledged as incorrect so correct ones on order! Thanks dieselman! (and MB Norwich for their "old timers" with plenty of experience)

 

[toby1]

Springs changed yesterday!

Ride-height ok, and handling better. Took a bit of time but cheers to all on here who assisted.

Back to Wheels-in-Motion for the original problem of front tyre wear!!

 

[chancha]

Been reading this thread with interest. I have been experiencing a similar problem with my 210 e320 cdi. Both front tyres have been showing signs of inner tyre wear on 17" alloys. I changed thenm after having the tracking done a few months ago. At the same time I changed to 18" amg alloys and now after 3000 miles my fronts are showing wear on the inner and outer edges.... what should I be looking at changing first....springs,ball joints,drop-links or dampers???? The car incidentally has 150k on the clock...

 

[Alex Crow]

if both front tyres are wearing on inner and outer edges this is what you would expect. ideally tyres will be used on both axles equally to get maximum wear from them, tricky if you run bigger rears. this is a trait on pretty much all RWD mercedes cars.