E320 CDi Lowered Front Suspension

[Razoo]

2004 E320 CDi Avantgarde (17 inch wheels) 53K FMBSH

Decided to take the Merc for a run in the sun today. It wasn't too heavily laden - just myself, my son and my wallet, and my wallet's been much lighter since I bought the Merc

I was in a 30 limit and slowed for a roundabout. As I pulled onto the roundabout, there was a loud metallic 'bang' from the front, nearside suspension and my front wheel partially dissappeared up inside the wheelarch.

I guess that's the suspension coil spring broken? I've owned numerous cars over the past 43 years, and I've never experienced suspension failure before - not even when I owned a Morris 1000 'jellymold' (they were notorious for disgarding front wheels on roundabouts).

I always thought the Merc suspension was hard with the 17 inch wheels, but now... !

I assume I should have both front springs replaced (I wonder if MB will contribute, as this seems to be a commmon fault).

Is this an opportunity to have softer springs fitted, such as standard Avantgarde for 16 inch wheels (I think MB fit stiffer springs with factory-fit 17 inch wheels)?

Isn't it wonderful how these failures always occur at the start of a Bank Holiday weekend?

Razoo (not happy)

 

[Xtractorfan]

Shock absorbers, the rule of thumb is to replace both, to negate any imbalance in the vehicle..springs, its a matter of personal choice, and as you say this is a big problem with the front springs on the Eclass 211.. To be honest Ive heard of around half a dozen breaking front springs and something tells me it was always the nearside or lefthand spring..
The only reason to replace both front springs would be where it was established there was a fault in a certain batch..

 

[carabind]

I've read in the press its something occurring to a few cars (not just mercs) , coz the springs aren't finished off properly at the ends, causing stresses.
Worse thing you can do is hit a speed bump quickly first thing on a cold day!

 

[5pares]

Id replace both as ones gone,the headlights will need resetting too.

 

[carabind]

will they ? Aren't they self levelling as xenons were part of the A/G spec?

 

[5pares]

Even xenons need to be levelled on a headlight aligner to have the basic level set up.

 

[Razoo]

Fitting Softer Springs

In an earlier thread, I commented on the unpleasant, hard ride I experienced in my E320, and how much it hated speed humps (which are all over my local roads like a rash).

One reply mentioned that when 17 inch wheels are MB factory fitted (as mine were), the suspension is stiffened even more than the standard Avantgarde suspension for 16 inch wheels. Presumably this means that Avantgarde coil springs for 17 inch wheels are stiffer than Avantgarde coils springs for 16 inch wheels.

If this spring information is correct, and because it seems I have to have my front coil springs replaced, would it be reasonable to ask MB to fit the softer coil springs for the 16 inch wheels to my vehicle?

Razoo

 

[5pares]

Its worth a try but itl probably confuse the parts guys.Unless they have a similiar car with 16s they can take the colour codes off.

 

[Razoo]

Spring is Sprung...

I've just put the steering on full lock and had a look at the springs. The front offside spring has fatigued and the lowest coil has broken off, allowing the spring to drop off the lower hanger.

The nearside spring is OK.

Both springs look to be in excellent condition - broken coils excepted, of course The black paint finish is intact, and there's no sign of rusting or surface flaking.

The spring colour code is yellow/yellow/green, if that means anything to anyone.

Razoo

 

[5pares]

Thats the trouble with E 211 the broken coil is pigtaled so if it breaks it drops the car to the bump stop (leaving it drivable but very low) unlike most other mercs where if the springs break its normally unoticable other than the odd noises.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>coz the springs aren't finished off properly at the ends, causing stresses.

Yes, it's been written about in the press, but, that doesn't mean it's necessarily so.

 

[ALFIEBEARD]

Hi all,
My E211 270CDI has comfort suspension and 16" wheels and it is still slightly stiff, does anyone know if the same problem occurs with the softer springs??.
Regards
Alfie B