Sequence of work
1. Vibrations on the steering wheel may indicate that the wheels do not have constant contact with the road.
2. Continuous vibrations of the body when driving through bumps.
3. «floating» the behavior of the car when cornering, since the wheel of the inner turning radius is not sufficiently pressed against the road, and the outer wheel is not sufficiently unloaded by the shock absorber.
4. Uneven tire wear.
5. Noticeable oil leaks on the shock strut, reaching the bottom cup. Slight traces of oil are normal.
6. Extraneous rumbling noise when driving can also be the result of shock absorber wear. In this case, it is important to accurately determine the source of the sound.
The principle of operation of the shock absorber
The E-class models are equipped with double-piston gas shock absorbers. They have a number of advantages. The most important thing is a long service life. Due to the constant vertical oscillation and movement of the rod and piston, bubbles form in the working fluid inside conventional shock absorbers, which degrade performance and cause the wheels to bounce on road bumps. In Mercedes gas shock absorbers, gas pressure suppresses the formation of such bubbles even under high loads.
Precautions for Do-It-Yourself Work on the Chassis and Steering
1. Undercarriage and steering repairs require experience and often also special equipment. If you are not sure that you can carry out the appropriate repairs yourself, or do not have the necessary tools, it is better to entrust the work to a service station. Damaged suspension parts must not be straightened or welded. Usually they are replaced.
2. When repairing the clearance adjustment system, before opening the oil lines, unscrew the connecting rod leading to the regulator and set the lever to the position «drain». Otherwise, there is a possibility of injury from high pressure fluid.