E55 W210 unstable

[W210 E55]

My E55 is a bit unstable at speed and also over pot holes and deep drains. I can feel the car skip a bit, it just doesn't feel solid. I asked the garage to check it over whilst doing the oil change, they found nothing apart from thinking the shocks were a bit soft. I imagine they are the originals, it has been lowered with springs only at some point. is it likely to be the shocks? I looked online briefly and haven't found any listed by Bilstein for the E55. Anyone know how much Merc ones are or if there's something else recommended.

 

[EDZ649]

The original AMG springs/shocks are Bilstein IIRC and lowered as standard from the factory.

Have you checked the front spring perches or to see if any of the springs are snapped? A snapped spring is not always obvious with a quick visual inspection especially if they have snapped low down in the cup.

 

[renault12ts]

As above check the springs, they break about 3 cms from the bottom end, in the cup.

Then check the lower arm inner bushes. This will be more difficult because they will seem firm, even when they are worn. What is the tyre wear pattern on the front like. Inner tyre wear could indicate worn inner bushes (amongst other things).

 

[jefrs]

This is the E55 AMG right?

That should mean option 655 sports chassis (or 654 sport chassis AMG etc) - this does not need lowering! (The factory fit option is already low).
linky Mercedes Benz Option Code Page 5
from Mercedes Benz Option Code

The garage has checked it over and they should have found any broken springs (even with a white stick).

What about tyres? a squiffy tyre will give it the wobbles

Checking the shocks means leaping onto the wing to compress it and release to check the rebound is damped by the shockers, not hi-tech. Hard springs and soft shocks is the way to go with a low slung chassis (soft springs and hard shocks can bottom out, too much travel). Hard springs and hard shocks is just plain painful, this is a limo not a sports car.

Mine has recently had all the rubber bushes replaced and whilst no play could be felt by hand, it was there and fixing made one hell of a difference - wishbones and upper control arms, also lower swivel. Whereas before it could be a bit vague on bumps and wallows. Previously track rod ends, drop links and anti-roll bar bushes. Glued to the road on Michelin PS rubber.
- check the bushes and the swivel joint - not all that expensive really.

One other thought, is your ADS (adaptive damping) fully functional, this can fault and not display a warning but the ADS switch will not light up. Had this and the shocks did feel odd, very hard but poor rebound, fault was a poor earth on inner wing after the garage had been playing with it.

 

[renault12ts]

Not many (very few) have the ADS. I suspect the OP has normal Bilsteins.

 

[jefrs]

My thing has the ADS, and I'm thinking the E55 AMG usually gets the full-monty.

 

[renault12ts]

My thing has the ADS, and I'm thinking the E55 AMG usually gets the full-monty.

Of all the ones on sale on Ebay...none have it. It's rare, even on the 55AMG. Yours really is fully loaded. Post some pics.

 

[W210 E55]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't have ADS so rules that out.
I would hope they would have had a proper look, I've used them for years and get on well with them, so I'd like to think they'd look after me. I'll have a bounce on the car tomorrow, but will probably do all the bushes anyway. The cars got good history but no mention of bushes being done.

 

[jefrs]

Of all the ones on sale on Ebay...none have it. It's rare, even on the 55AMG. Yours really is fully loaded. Post some pics.

It looks like the one in your sig. There's a couple of pics in My Album (click on my name in this post).

What I can say is the ADS does what it says on the tin, a ceremonial barge like an E-Class estate should not flip through rough country bends without rolling like a whale.

Last car I had that would stay flat as a tea tray on corners was a tweaked and stiffened up TR7, a completely different animal.

 

[GordonTarling]

Though not an E55, my 210 started feeling 'floaty' at speed until Olly replaced rear subframe bushes and lower front suspension arms - after that, it felt like a new car!

 

[W210 E55]

Is it something that can be diagnosed without actually doing the job? If I was to go and see Olly would he be able to do it same day with stock parts. I'm tempted to take a trip and see what it is, but would like to go there and have whatever needs doing done that day.

 

[jefrs]

Is it pulling to one side on acceleration and braking to the other?
Swapping sides can be the rear, or front.
Or just feeling floaty? - the front.
Or both? - probably the front.

Look to the bits that wear out, the rubber bungs.
I've had the o/s rear done but it was the front that made the difference.
The cars are similar age so I suspect the front, it gets the most work.

Then get the 4-wheel geometry done.

 

[W210 E55]

It doesn't pull under braking or acceleration, it just feels generally wobbly. Mainly over uneven roads I can feel it move to the side as I hit a bump at the front and back. I think I'll get all the bushes done anyway and see where I go from there.

 

[GordonTarling]

Olly did mine in a day, but it did take a while. Easy way to tell if rear subframe bushes are shot is to listen for a 'clonk' from the rear when you accelerate. Being honest, I didn't hear that until Olly pointed it out to me. If you take a rear wheel off, you can also see the bushes.

 

[W210 E55]

Do you have any contact details for Olly? Website etc

 

[Howard]

Mercedes Benz & Smart specialists | Prestige Car Service based in Portsmouth, Hampshire

 

[W210 E55]

Thank you

 

[jefrs]

It doesn't pull under braking or acceleration, it just feels generally wobbly. Mainly over uneven roads I can feel it move to the side as I hit a bump at the front and back. I think I'll get all the bushes done anyway and see where I go from there.

That does sound like bushes all round. Mine did that, it was not severe but it was tiring micro-managing the steering.

Probably worth replacing the lower swivels whilst the wishbones are being done (labour cost).