W124 E320 worrying suspension sounds

[dino645]

I have a problem with creaking suspension sounds, recently worsened by a stretch of road near me that is covered in road humps, or sleeping policeman. It sounds quite bad, and feels unevenly balanced from right to left, as I go over these b*****d things. Any ideas what could be the problem?

I don't know whether to keep it, or to cut my losses, as it becoming an increasingly expensive car.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Suspension bushes maybe?

 

[kth286]

Dino

What's the miles on the car. ???

What's the history on the car ???

You have just recently bought the coupe - yes ???

 

[Dave Lewis]

Is the noise in the front or the rear? Does it creak when you bounce the car by hand?

 

[grober]

Broken front springs ? Quite common but reasonably cheap to fix with the correct spring compressor. They tend to break where they meet the wishbone seat. Take off the front wheels and have a look.

 

[bolide]

Front balljoints. £13 each from a dealer. They stop the front wheel disappearing up into the wheelarch so it'd be wise to get them checked asap

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[dino645]

I bought the car about 3 months ago, so yes it is a recent purchase. The mileage is about 130K. The history of the car was complete.

I took the car to MBZ for a service, and have spent to date £4500 within the last 2 months to get the car mechanically sound. I wanted a car that I could keep for a while, so it was a case of money no objection.

MBZ had have had the car in and out of the garage and it has spent about 6 weeks altogether with them. I don't want to take it to MBZ again, as I have lost my confidence in their ability, and I think they are trying it on in terms of costs. Everytime I take it in, it comes out of MBZ with a different problem, and I could really do with a good local Merc Specialist that knows what they are doing, and isn't too pricey. Iv'e near enough spent as much as I want to on this car now, and the suspension is the final straw.

I want the car to be right now, but with all of these problems, and costs, I am considering taking a loss, and............buying a BMW!

It does creak when I get in and out of the car. The front offside shocks/ball joint was recently replaced. The sound is from front to back. It feels like it is twisting hence, the feeling that it isn't balanced. I am also worried it doesn't seem level when parked on a flat surface, with the car 'leaning' a little to the left side.

 

[Dave Lewis]

It sounds indeed like it could be a broken spring. MB main dealer labour charges are at least twice those of a good independent. There are several in the West Midlands (look at the MB specialist sub-forum), WDM of Perry Barr come recommended by many. These specialists know a heck of a lot more about W124s than the main dealers.