If you have cross-wind sensitivity and "wander", I'd take a look at the steering box play AND the coupler between steering column and box -- the viton bushings fall apart and you get major play in the gear, allows the wheels to turn way too much.
You should also examine the bushings in the rear control arms, they do go bad and you get massive torque steer and cross-wind response you should not have. Completely independent of the shocks or springs. Low rear is sagging springs or missing pads or both, you will have to check. You have to remove the spring to fix the bushings anyway. Also check the sway bar links, they are famous for breaking off and leaving you with no rear sway bar at all. Easy to fix, though. Peter -----Original Message----- >From: "P. Prud'homme" <pa...@yahoo.com> >Sent: May 13, 2009 12:46 PM >To: mercedes@okiebenz.com >Subject: Re: [MBZ] Replacing coil springs, 300D > >Thank you for your help. Much appreciated. > >"Springs only sag, they don't change rate all that much. A wallowy ride >is more likely to be bad (or missing) rear sway bar links, bad >bushings, or bad from control arm parts." > >I think, and a friend mentioned it, the car appears low in the back. Yes the >ride is not always fun, especially when the wind is strong, driving on the >interstate, passing a semi, etc. > >"Do you get clunks when you >drive over speed bumps? If so, the track rod bushing is shot, and it's >going to wallow around. A bouncy ride is bad rear shocks, though." >"Unless you have a broken spring, I'd be looking for suspension >components, subframe mounts, control arm bushings, etc. Then move to >the spring rubber bushings. (Loren)" > >I can't say I get any clunk, it just feels rough when passing any bump. >In any case, faulty bushings and all (as Loren commented too) is a good >point and I certainly will look into that. I am also planning to change >the steering damper which shows wear. > >"HD shocks are MUCH firmer than comforts, to the point I regret putting them >on my Volvo. Way to rough on the interstate." > >The shocks I installed are heavy duty Bilsteins. Well, now I feel stupid >because I just realized looking back at my order from the online store >(http://www.autopartswarehouse.com) that they sent me or it was my mistake, >mixing the ref. number, comfort shocks for the front and the intended heavy >duty ones for the rear. So now, I have been driving on a mix comfort/heavy >duty. Well, this could be one of the problems to a my question, couldn't it? > > >--PT > > >-----Original Message----- >>From: Loren Faeth <lfa...@leadingchange.com> >>Sent: May 13, 2009 8:49 AM >>To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >>Subject: Re: [MBZ] Replacing coil springs, 300D >> >>Unless you have a broken spring, I'd be looking for suspension >>components, subframe mounts, control arm bushings, etc. Then move to >>the spring rubber bushings. I am not sure where to find them for >>123, but there were factory specs published for earlier models about >>the height of good springs out of the car, as well as how to decipher >>the color code markings on the spring. I would guess they are in the >>factory manuals or CDs. >> >>Call rusty for a kit price for the front or rear suspension. 800 741 5252 >> >> >>At 07:41 AM 5/13/2009, you wrote: >>>Hello, >>> >>>Has anyone replaced coil springs once? I am trying to see if I could >>>do it myself on a 300D, 1981. Not too long ago, I replaced the >>>shocks with Bilstein's but it won't do it, the car is still too much >>>like a boat, especially on the interstate. >>>Thank you. >>> >>>--PT, 300D 1981 > > > > >-------------- next part -------------- >An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >URL: ><http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20090513/ecc091dc/attachment.html> >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
