W124 polybushes ?

[franksm]

Hey folks

Can't get the rear suspension aligned within spec, and it's eating tyres so I guess I need to renew the suspension bushings. Is there a polybush kit for the W124 ? Polyflex and Superflex don't like many MB options in their catalogs.

Failing that, is there a bolt and standard bush kit available ?

Have done this job before on an MX5 and it transformed the car (felt better than new afterwards)

Car is a '92 230CE with Sportline suspension

Cheers

Frank

 

[ben12345]

You want K-Mac in Australia. I recently put their kit on my W126. Tyres appear to be lasting a little longer so far!

Cheers

 

[kth286]

franksm

It is very difficult to improve on the Mercedes rear suspension design which is considered iconic.

It started life in the early 80's and is so good that present day Mercs use it.

It is a sophisticated 5 link (each side) set up (FI style).

So, 5 links equal 10 bushes that wear - and that is each side !!!!!!!!!!!

It needs careful investigation by a specialist that knows what allowance is reasonable for each bush.

Most links come with the bushes already fitted and are not that expensive.

The two links that wear most are the TORQUE link and the THRUST link as these are heavily loaded when accelerating and when braking and prevent the rear of car dipping and rising when those two actions take place.

However you do have tyre wear and that signals toe maladjustment and there is indeed a toe link.

Are you saying that the maximum adjustment has been tried on the rear toe link ???????? and cannot get it within spec.

There is also a camber link but that takes a long time to wear tyes out significantly.

Whilst at the rear end you should be aware that the age of these cars now demand that the subframe bushes be examined for wear, which I am finding increasingly so, and can cause the rear of the car to wobble.

I offer a full suspension, steering and geometry appraisal service in exchange for beer money but I see you are in Ireland, however should you wish to have a few days holiday just let me know and we can discuss via e-mail.

 

[franksm]

LOL thanks David, Ben

My car does 'twitch' to the left from the rear when hitting a pothole or whatever, so I guess that's the subframe bushes too ?

Yes, the aligment guys tried the maximum settings (can't remember which plane, but it must have been camber) and couldn't get it in spec - so they at least the two sides as equal as possible.

I'll check the the price of new arms as well as the polybush options from Aus.

 

[roofless]

i renewed mine i got all the parts from euro car parts as mine is a older 93 i soked some rags in diesel the night prior to fitting & wraped them round all the bolts to make things easy

 

[Bolide]

Trying to solve a problem on standard car by fitting non-standard parts sounds like the wrong approach to me

I'd go with what kth286 suggests

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[franksm]

Hey folks

Am now dropping the rear subframe to replace its bushes - will also be replacing the suspension links with new items. I am removing the whole of the subframe, diff and all away from the car, as I want to repaint it, get the surface rust off.

Do the springs need to have a compressor applied to them prior to dropping the subframe all the way off ? Or will they naturally expand to their uncompressed length *gracefully* ie. not flying out at a few hundred mph ?