W124 unstable ride

[DLR]

See "Stiff Steering"

Hi David8876

Try a search on "stiff steering" there is a thread. It's not W124, but no matter eh? Problem is good steering when cold, bad when hot. That rings bells! See the long post about potential steering box wear. The model complained about has rack and pinion but no matter eh?

After checking for a slack belt (slipping when hot), the bad news is it's replacing the PAS pump and / or replacing the steering box.

Adjusting the box play badly (too much) can blow the seals.

I will talk with my specialist. I have already spent megabucks on this car, including new front wings and a respray - so whats a few more hundred among friends? :twisted:

DLR

 

[andy_k]

for turnipsock

my bet would be that he is talking about the radius arms which hold the rear hub in place (connecting to the sub frame) and the bushes in these are prone to wearing like any other bush. The top link is favourite for causing problems and MB released an upgraded part - I've looked for the part number but can't find it. You need to be quite rough on these components when you test them - any lateral movement is a bad thing.

They are cheap but fiddly to replace - worth it though

Take the wheels off and have a good look at all of them - you'll be amazed just how nicely a tight suspension on a W124 feels


Andy

 

[pde2000]

steering damper

i had a similar experience with my steering damper. scared the proverbial out of me on my way to holiday, had to go back and borrow my mum's car. the steering damper really is a bastard when it lets you down, but damn cheep to replace thankfully. this cross wind effect is definitely down to poor connection between steering wheel and road - when my car kept conking out my wife reported the steering went all peculiar, so when the power steering isn't feeding the steering box you really arent in control. that suggestion of replacing power steering fluid must be up there with the best bets. cant cost too much and love to hear if it works.

my first car was a renault 4 (so was my second) and my third a morris minor (still got it just dont use it no more) and they were sooooo easy to work on, only a few things that could go wrong, why do we make life so complicated with sophisticated systems that we cant diagnose without some specialist computer gizmo. please god dont let my 300te 4matic go wrong again!!!!

 

[neilairman]

unstable ride

the anti roll bar bushes are prone on this model. i know i had 2.
these are cheap and easy to fit.
however there is another cause that is so unlikely youd think im mad,
on the inside lane of the motorway you often get ruts, infact any road thats had trucks flying up and down end up with ruts, your wheels will go in and out of these and your feel like the car is wandering about all over.
this happened to me in my s class and i took it to mercs, they couldn find any fault but suggested it could be the road i was traveling on.
sure enough when i looked closer i could see the grooves.