Diagnosis of suspension and steering faults (Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124)

Caution: Before determining a fault with the suspension or steering, check the tire pressure, the absence of wheel drag, and that the vehicle has identical tires.

The car pulls to one side

• Tire faulty.
• Severe wear of suspension or steering components.
• The front wheel alignment angles are not adjusted correctly.
• Damage to steering and suspension components in an accident.

Wheel beating and vibration

• The front wheels are not balanced. The vibration can be felt on the steering wheel.
• The rear wheels are unbalanced. This causes vibration to be transmitted to the entire vehicle.
• Damage or deformation of wheels.
• Damage or deformation of the tire.
• Worn ball joints, bushings or steering or front suspension components.
• The wheel mounting bolts are loose.

Loud creaking sounds when braking and turning

• The shock absorbers are faulty.
• The suspension spring is damaged or sagged, or the suspension components are faulty.
• Damage to the anti-roll bar or its mounting elements.

The car pulls in different directions

• The front wheel alignment angles are not adjusted correctly.
• Worn ball joints, bushings or steering or front suspension components.
• The wheels are not balanced.
• Tire damage.
• The wheel mounting bolts have come loose.
• The shock absorbers are faulty.

Tight steering

• The steering ball joint or suspension ball joint is jammed.
• Damaged or improperly adjusted auxiliary drive belt tension on models with power steering.
• The front wheel alignment angles are not adjusted correctly.
• The steering rod or steering gear is damaged.

Play in the steering

• The rubber coupling of the intermediate shaft of the steering column is worn out.
• The steering rod ball joints are worn out.
• The steering gear is worn out.
• Worn ball joints, bushings and steering or suspension components.

Reduced power steering efficiency

• Damaged or improperly adjusted auxiliary drive belt tension on models with power steering.
• Low power steering fluid level.
• The hoses in the hydraulic power steering system are clogged.
• The power steering pump is faulty.
• The steering gear is faulty.

Heavy tire wear

Severe wear on the edges of the tire tread

• Low tire pressure. In this case, tires wear equally on both sides.
• The camber or caster angle of the wheel pivot axis is incorrectly adjusted. In this case, the tire wears out only on one side.
• Worn ball joints, bushings and steering or suspension components.
• Damage to steering and suspension components in an accident.

Fraying of the side surface of the tread

• Wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted.

Wear in the center of the tread

• The tire pressure is above normal.

Uneven tire wear

• The wheels are not balanced.
• The shock absorbers are worn out.
• The tire is damaged.