I have a w210 E320. The space between the top of the front tyre and the wheel arch is marginally different each side. The car also pulls slightly to the left. This points to suspension. What else could I check? Would bush wear cause this?
suspension?
- Thread starter triplemmm
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A bush would not cause this ,but a broken spring would or could.
When they break is often just at one end on the first coil at the top i believe.
Malcolm
eric242340
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Could you tell me what year the car is?
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Eric, Please do not forget the ADS post, your answers could be invaluable
Thank you. Malcolm
kth286
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triplemmm
For that model and year you need to consider it could be terminal rust of the spring perch which is welded to the inner wing and is about to collapse and the spring shoot across the road with a force - I kid you not, it has happened many times now.
Get it checked ASAP by a main dealer - they are well aware of the problem.
For that model and year you need to consider it could be terminal rust of the spring perch which is welded to the inner wing and is about to collapse and the spring shoot across the road with a force - I kid you not, it has happened many times now.
Get it checked ASAP by a main dealer - they are well aware of the problem.
eric242340
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I believe you know now why the year is applicableoh whopee, nice one cheers!
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Had my car checked my MB. Suspension has clean bill of health Just ball joints are worn, so not such a big job. I was worried about the rusty spring perch issue, which I found funny that the lady from the first dealership I called said was not a known issue at all! I suppose they have to say that though.
Bad news is the cats are now both shagged.
Just ball joints are worn, so not such a big job. I was worried about the rusty spring perch issue, which I found funny that the lady from the first dealership I called said was not a known issue at all! I suppose they have to say that though.Bad news is the cats are now both shagged.
eric242340
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Oh, GREAT, you just moved from a simple problem to a dissaster. How do you know the cats are finished? Whats the proof?Had my car checked my MB. Suspension has clean bill of health
Bad news is the cats are now both shagged.
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I sort of knew for a couple of weeks, the sound of them really and the fact that the idle isn't perfectly constant. I wanted to get the potential spring perch problem looked at before shelling out on new cats.
Mercedes just clarified that they'd had it. To be fair I found the dealership really friendly and helpful.
Just got to find a reasonable price for two new cats! Was quoted £560 by ATS, so I 'll see if I can get that beat. :|
Mercedes just clarified that they'd had it. To be fair I found the dealership really friendly and helpful.
Just got to find a reasonable price for two new cats! Was quoted £560 by ATS, so I 'll see if I can get that beat. :|
Parrot of Doom
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My advice is to buy only MB recommended cats, too many tales around the internet of woe with cheaper cats.
And once they're fitted, please idle the engine for a good 15-20 minutes, and drive very carefully for the first 10-20 miles. I'm told (by the indie I bought mine from) this helps the new cats bond against the walls of the exhaust. Otherwise they'll be rattling in less than a year.
As for the spring perches, have they removed the mastic from the perches and checked? Its easy to do, just jack the corner up and look.
If they haven't, can I recommend you buy a nice sharp knife and peel it away yourself to check, then reseal with POR15 or waxoyl?
I shall be doing this myself very shortly, I've just ordered some POR15 and metal treatment. I may post it up as a DIY thread.
And once they're fitted, please idle the engine for a good 15-20 minutes, and drive very carefully for the first 10-20 miles. I'm told (by the indie I bought mine from) this helps the new cats bond against the walls of the exhaust. Otherwise they'll be rattling in less than a year.
As for the spring perches, have they removed the mastic from the perches and checked? Its easy to do, just jack the corner up and look.
If they haven't, can I recommend you buy a nice sharp knife and peel it away yourself to check, then reseal with POR15 or waxoyl?
I shall be doing this myself very shortly, I've just ordered some POR15 and metal treatment. I may post it up as a DIY thread.
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Great advice Parrot, cheers.
I'm waiting on the MB quote to come through for the cats. As long as there is some sort of gaurantee, to be honest I think its a lottery with any part. I've read threads where people point out that the same companies who supply MB also sell the same stuff to aftermarket resellers.
I don't know exactly what tests MB did with my car and the perches, I don't think it'd be covered under warranty due to the 8 year cut off period? I'm happy that they have examined it and given the verdict. If the spring perches do rip apart within the near future no doubt I'll be throwing that report against them! But as you say there's no harm in checking myself as I'm the one tearing down the motorway in it!
I look forward to your guide. I've looked at all the others, great work.
I'm waiting on the MB quote to come through for the cats. As long as there is some sort of gaurantee, to be honest I think its a lottery with any part. I've read threads where people point out that the same companies who supply MB also sell the same stuff to aftermarket resellers.
I don't know exactly what tests MB did with my car and the perches, I don't think it'd be covered under warranty due to the 8 year cut off period? I'm happy that they have examined it and given the verdict. If the spring perches do rip apart within the near future no doubt I'll be throwing that report against them! But as you say there's no harm in checking myself as I'm the one tearing down the motorway in it!
I look forward to your guide. I've looked at all the others, great work.
kth286
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triplemmm
It seems not a lot of people know this, but Merc did have a scheme where they would pay you money for the old cats to be re-cycled. They are very precious metals.
I would query it with Merc HQ at Milton Keynes (before approaching the dealer) to get the true story.
Perhaps the dealers have been keeping it quiet and pocketing the profit !!!!!
It seems not a lot of people know this, but Merc did have a scheme where they would pay you money for the old cats to be re-cycled. They are very precious metals.
I would query it with Merc HQ at Milton Keynes (before approaching the dealer) to get the true story.
Perhaps the dealers have been keeping it quiet and pocketing the profit !!!!!
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Very interesting.
I will try that. Its worth a squirt.
I'll let you all know if thats a fact.
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normal wear and tear of a car only really having a driver and no passenger. Maybe previous owners were really fat?!
To be honest I hadn't noticed, and its not something you can see just by looking. When I had my brakes changed the mechanic said he noticed the difference. I have 18'' rims which fill the arches so it probably would not have been noticed otherwise.
To be honest I hadn't noticed, and its not something you can see just by looking. When I had my brakes changed the mechanic said he noticed the difference. I have 18'' rims which fill the arches so it probably would not have been noticed otherwise.
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I suppose reading these forums can give us a sense of dread sometimes. Everyone telling you what it might be. Kinda like reading a medical book and becoming convinced you have something terminal!
Still its great to share knowledge, and know what the options are.
Still its great to share knowledge, and know what the options are.
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One spring worn a little bit more than the other. Like I say, you wouldn't notice to look at, I expect most peoples cars aren't "exactly" even all round if it were measured. I'm happy if MB have checked it over. I'd guess they'd be the first to mention things that needed replacing.
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