W124 MOT Failure

[stephenson]

Just wondering - after a disastrous MOT failure. Two of the main failures are:

"nearside front upper bonded suspension unit failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced"

"offside front upper bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended"

The front offside suspension is clunking when going over uneven surfaces, but is it the "struts" as the mechanic "explained". He also does not fancy the job of fixing them - removal of springs etc.

 

[turnipsock]

you don't have to remove the springs to change the strut part

I'm not sure what "displaced" means here.

What year is the car?

 

[meanie]

It sounds like the top strut mountings,which with reasonable equipment is pretty straight forward.
The other things it failed on were?

 

[Bolide]

Take the car back and ask them to point out exactly what has failed

Then take the car to a W124 specialist and see what's really going on. It can't be too tragic

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[SilverSaloon]

sounds a bit iffy on the fact that he is willing to fail the car on it (so assume he knows enough about the part) but then doesnt want to remove springs..... which surly is a fairly easy job for any competant mechanic?

i'd take it elsewhere

 

[wireman]

To change the strut and top mount you need a jack, 13&19mm spanners, 19&24mm sockets and about 1 hour (plus £50 for the strut and £15 for the mount).

Do both sides.

 

[stephenson]

Thanks for the replies. The car also failed on emissions. The mechanic reckons I need to replace both cats, though I have read on here that it is more likely to be the lambda sensor. A couple of brake hoses need replacing also, and there is a fuel leak.
Apart from MOT failures the cylinder head is seeping oil and the rear suspension self levelling pipes need replacing (no hydraulic fluid in system at all) - usually get an MOT warning for this. To be fair I think the mechanic means the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the car. The car is a 1993 220TE. For spares or repair?

 

[television]

These cars often fail and need an Italian tune up, I had to do that on mine at 1 year old

 

[stephenson]

The car has now gone to the scrappy. A shame but £300 for it softened the blow.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

May your car RIP

 

[Stu_CDX]

Good show on offering the parts on here to people and potentially making a nice profit from them.

 

[foof1]

What a shame! Maybe a little TLC and some DIY? Have some fun!!!

 

[stephenson]

Replacing the rear brake pads and disks before the MOT was enough "fun" and money for me.