Bang! And the ...

[Dryce]

Heard a bit of an odd muffled metallic thud late yesterday evening. As if a neighbour had thrown some metal debris into their wheelie bin. Didn't think much of it.

Trouble is with an aging W211 in the driveway a loud metallic noise on a cold night tends to mean only one thing.

This morning went out to load a suitcase into the car and things clicked into place. Car sitting down at the front because NSF spring has collapsed.

Ah well - not exactly unexpected given the various reports in this forum over the years - and the first time my car has ever let me down.

 

[mirras]

Been there, 200 miles from home in a hotel, alarm went off on w211 and I couldn't work out why until the next morning. Tow truck and visit to nearest dealer. You have my sympathies.

 

[markjay]

Sorry to hear that. Luckily it is a (relatively) easy fix. Will be replacing both sides?

 

[John]

What mileage is it on, Dryce?

 

[A210AMG]

Been there done that....



Twice

 

[ringway]

Been there done that....



Twice

Is that why you started the MB Club Weight Loss Challenge?

 

[A210AMG]

hehehehe

Could be although both sides and my wifes side.... Passenger side went (she it a size 6 / 8)


maybe I need stronger / stiffer ones

 

[markjay]

Have you tried actually slowing down for speed humps?

 

[ringway]

hehehehe

Could be although both sides and my wifes side.... Passenger side went (she it a size 6 / 8)


maybe I need stronger / stiffer ones

Ha Ha!

When my front O/S spring gave way one night after dropping gently from a kerb I thought I heard something and knew I'd felt something, but went and did around 15, miles before.
The next morning one of my neighbours had the spring in his hand and said "I think this might be yours."

 

[Dryce]

What mileage is it on, Dryce?

Just over 64K

Car is two months short of being 7 years old.

 

[Dryce]

Sorry to hear that. Luckily it is a (relatively) easy fix. Will be replacing both sides?

Yup.

I'll get the rears checked as well.

I was more bemused that upset TBH - because given the reports about W211 springs it is kind of inevitable and much younger cars have succumbed according to other posters.

 

[John]

Just over 64K

Car is two months short of being 7 years old.

Hmm, my car has very aptly just clocked passed 55555 and is 7 years old so I imagine I am due.

 

[PXW]

Interesting. I'm on 88k, and 6 1/2 years old. Could really do without unplanned downtime on the car - anyone any idea whether it's possible to check whether a failure is impending? Or alternatively would a precautionary change make sense? How much is this repair costing people?

 

[Dryce]

How much is this repair costing people?

I'll post details once I have my car sorted - hopefully later this week.

 

[corned]

Interesting. I'm on 88k, and 6 1/2 years old. Could really do without unplanned downtime on the car - anyone any idea whether it's possible to check whether a failure is impending? Or alternatively would a precautionary change make sense? How much is this repair costing people?

The only way you could do that, with any reliability in the results, would be to have them taken away and crack tested. By which time it would have been easier, not to mention cheaper, to have swapped them for new ones while they were off the car.

To renew them, you're looking at £30 a pop for the springs from MB, and about £40-50 a side in labour.

 

[Dryce]

Car was fixed today.

My bill came to £300.

There was a minor investigation at the same time into another possible issue as well which turned out to be irrelevant.

The cost of the springs in that is a few pence over £53 each including VAT.

Car is riding a tiny bit higher than I remember. (I must dig up some old photos to see what it was like when it was newer). It feels a bit firmer but maybe that's psychological.

Car was picked up by Green Flag who (a) turned up exactly when requested and (b) their agent had noted the remarks about the front suspension problem and collected with flat bed truck that had a very low slope angle when extended - the car backed up on to it without even brushing the rubber lip under front skirt despite the fact it was sitting so low.

 

[John]

They take time to settle I believe so it might sink in due course.

 

[Dieselman]

Car is riding a tiny bit higher than I remember. (I must dig up some old photos to see what it was like when it was newer). It feels a bit firmer but maybe that's psychological.

All metal springs sag over time so new ones do make a noticeable difference. I changed the front ones on my car and felt the difference in balance, so fitted new rears as well.
This made a definite, positive, difference to the handling.

 

[John]

I would have thought there would have been a post which just said "dirt is gone!" by now...

 

[Beno]

I would have thought there would have been a post which just said "dirt is gone!" by now...

Only if Barry Scott owns a MB