S124 all over the place

[Deleted member 11979]

I have recently bought a smart 1990 300TD with non sport line suspension (predictably).

It wanders like a bitch, it is bordering on dangerous, so I've stopped driving it.

The springs all seem new (at a glance - shiny and black) and underneath is generally tidy.

The car sits higher on the passenger side, front and back.

However, I noticed that the bolts which hold the lower wishbones to the chassis are not tight, I have tightened them up, but I think they are eccentric.

I have spoken to a couple of garages, none of whom seem keen to sort out the set up.

How best to deal with this, is the level that the car sits on related to the wandering, or should I get this investigated and then get a four wheel alignment carried out?

Thanks a lot

 

[Charles Morgan]

A wandering car is most certainly not what you should get from a 300D. Some are susceptible to sidewinds but normally the cars most certainly are not dangerous.

Springs may well be wrong, there are specific ones for each car.

Anti roll bar Bushes, droplinks front and rear, subframe bushes, ball joints, wishbones and tracking most probably need a very good check by someone who knows what they are doing. Also steering idler , damper and steering box. Any good independents with W124 experience within tolerable distance - I know it's a bit of a trek but for this I'd genuinely go to Olly for someone who really does know what they are doing.

 

[WG M-B]

Front ball joint will also make it feel all over their place. Almost like you have to constantly correct the steering

 

[a111r]

I had that on a 124.
Front ARB bushes: night and day, so cheap and simple!

 

[bolide]

So many possible causes... If the car has had new springs but wanders my immediate thought is that someone was trying to cure the problem and failed, Which suggests work done by non-experts. Which suggests everything is suspect

Check the leading rear subframe mounts have not rotted away. After that, check everything else on the suspension & steering

Most of the wear seems to be at the front of these cars but wandering suggests to me that something may be loose at the rear - subframe mount or rear control arm

What do the tyres look like? The wear pattern will tell all

Nick Froome

 

[brucemillar]

Front ball joint will also make it feel all over their place. Almost like you have to constantly correct the steering

The ball joints have to be "suspect" as they are prone to failure and can be dangerous when they do let go. A good heave with a pry bar would be well advised - get the wheel in the air and see if you can lift the the suspension at the ball joints?

 

[grober]

The front suspension arm inner bolts have eccentric mounting washers. In many cases their front and rear bushes have different elasticity also. Front ball joints can wear out but maybe renewable on your car. As Nick says it would appear they have been worked on by someone who is inexperienced on this model. Needs this to be remedied by an MB specialist who knows what they are doing.

Mercedes-Benz W124 Front Wishbone Replacement | 1986-1995 E-Class | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

 

[WG M-B]

It's also hard to get play in them without lifting the actual wishbone

 

[Deleted member 11979]

That's a great response chaps, thanks a lot, my problem is no decent indie, I'm in mid Devon if anyone has a recommendation......

Cornerstone garage Tiverton is closest

 

[WG M-B]

Is it far from Somerset? Avantgarde are in Somerset and I know Steve knows his onions

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Depends where in Somerset, I'll give it a google, thanks for the recommendation

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Ok, progress so far, the leaning to one side seems to be two different springs on the rear, not immediately obvious in situ, but upon removing one was thicker with a different coil per length??? Ratio than the other , new springs ordered

When taking off the lower wishbones the mechanic noticed the bolts had worn away the mounting brackets, so must have been loosened for some time he thinks

We will see what new springs, rubber pads and remedying the brackets brings

 

[brucemillar]

These cars react very well to re-bushing. A new steering damper is a cheap part and an easy DIY. You cannot overestimate the dangers of the lower ball joints giving out. If in any doubt? Replace them. If they let go then front wheel parts company with the suspension. At speed this would be catastrophic. At a low speed it is still likely to do severe damage to the car and your undergarments.

 

[BlackC55]

Have a look at the rear subframe bushes too.

 

[bolide]

Have a look at everything

The only thing you can guarantee with a 300TD is that it will have been neglected for long periods of time

Nick Froome

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Have a look at everything The only thing you can guarantee with a 300TD is that it will have been neglected for long periods of time Nick Froome

You're not wrong!

 

[Deleted member 11979]

As a conclusion to this thread, for those that are interested, the final and proper remedy to the leaning suspension was found to be replacing the front anti roll bar mounting brackets with a pair of the same size, unlike the differing sized ones fitted!

Hooray!