grpar
New Member
I have a C180 (54 plate) which has just had its 3rd birthday last month, having covered 30k miles along the way.
From new, the car always drifted to the left and suffered from NSF outer tyre wear. Both are common problems for this model.
However, recently the ride at the front was very hard, especially over potholes, bumps, and ridges (plenty of those on the roads of west London). When the car was serviced and MOT'ed for the 1st time, the MB dealer in Brentford changed some suspension parts under warranty to cure the hard ride. I wasn't given a print-out, but was told these included the strut arms, torque arms, and bushes (?). I also had to pay an eye-watering £760 to get the brake discs, pads, and the dirty bits replaced as they were 95% worn.
Having drive about 1,500 miles in the last month, the car's ride is worse than before the changes were made. Worse in that the car picks up ridges around town, and worse in that it shimmys or twitches at motorway speeds.
Last week I had the 2 front tyres replaced to see if that improved matters (the NSF being worn on the outer edge), but alas, the ride is still the same. When the wheels were off, I had a good look at both front hubs. There were clearly some new parts, and whilst there was no play in any of the arms, etc, although it looks like the strut arm (?) has taken a few good bashes with a hammer despite it being new.
As the car will have to go back to MB, I need something specific to tell them on what might be wrong, otherwise they will just keep it in for 2 days, tell me they've tightened everything, and otherwise give me the brush-off.
Any senior members have any ideas or on what's wrong ? On another MB forum, one of the members suggested the ball joints need replacing. All help appreciated.
From new, the car always drifted to the left and suffered from NSF outer tyre wear. Both are common problems for this model.
However, recently the ride at the front was very hard, especially over potholes, bumps, and ridges (plenty of those on the roads of west London). When the car was serviced and MOT'ed for the 1st time, the MB dealer in Brentford changed some suspension parts under warranty to cure the hard ride. I wasn't given a print-out, but was told these included the strut arms, torque arms, and bushes (?). I also had to pay an eye-watering £760 to get the brake discs, pads, and the dirty bits replaced as they were 95% worn.
Having drive about 1,500 miles in the last month, the car's ride is worse than before the changes were made. Worse in that the car picks up ridges around town, and worse in that it shimmys or twitches at motorway speeds.
Last week I had the 2 front tyres replaced to see if that improved matters (the NSF being worn on the outer edge), but alas, the ride is still the same. When the wheels were off, I had a good look at both front hubs. There were clearly some new parts, and whilst there was no play in any of the arms, etc, although it looks like the strut arm (?) has taken a few good bashes with a hammer despite it being new.
As the car will have to go back to MB, I need something specific to tell them on what might be wrong, otherwise they will just keep it in for 2 days, tell me they've tightened everything, and otherwise give me the brush-off.
Any senior members have any ideas or on what's wrong ? On another MB forum, one of the members suggested the ball joints need replacing. All help appreciated.