Front Suspension Locked up

[dirtrack49]

Hi,

New to the forum. Thought I had posted in the past, however, needed to re-register.

I have a 1966 230sl that I just brought home. It has been in the family since 1968. It has last seen service in 2009 when my mother put new tires on it. Other than that, it has not had any proper service since 2003.
I should mention that it has not been driven since that time other than taking a 15 mile trip to have the tires replaced.

When I off loaded the vehicle, the first thing I noticed was the front right side of the car was lower than the other corners. While checking the recoil of the shocks at each corner, I found that all of the shocks need replacement. I also found that the right front side of the car does not move at all to any downward pressure. It acts as if the wishbone, or maybe you might call it the A arm on these vehicles, is frozen in place. My first assumption is that the bolts that hold the suspension A arms might be frozen in place. However, looking at the bolt attachments, it appears that the bushings are well greased.

Can anyone give me some direction as to what to do next to free up the suspension?

I will be going through the basics in the next few weeks getting ready to attempt to start the engine after a long sleep. Any help on this matter would also be greatly appreciated.

Tom L.

[Raymond]

Well first, of course, is to jack it up and see if the suspension extends.  It would be very unusual for that strong front spring to not force the wheel down.  It could be as simple as the shock collapsed and everything is just stiff from sitting so long.  You'll want to grease all 23 zerks on the suspension.  You'll probably also want to replace every bushing under the car.  If you can't get it to take grease, you could try some heat.  Enough heat to warm the ancient grease but not melt the seals.  The suspension is a simple design and very stout.  If this hasn't been stored on the beach, it should loosen up with persuasion.

[dirtrack49]

Thanks Raymond for the help.

I jacked up the front and the right side wishbone did have movement in it. I believe that there is no problem with the bushings. The problem must be in the shock or the spring.

When I place the car back on the ground, you can push down on the right side and get what I would consider normal downward movement. However, after that initial push downward, there is no recoil.

My first guess would be that the spring is no longer any good. However, could this simply be the shock absorber has failed instead?

Some information on the car may help. This car only has 76k original miles on it. It was kept by my mother for the last 16 years without any proper maintenance. The car had not really been driven much more than 100 miles in that time period.  My father had past away in 1995, and I believe that any maintenance performed on the vehicle would have been by his doing. I am trying to bring it back to it's former glory. The good news is that there is absolutely no rust to be found on the car. The bad news is that the paint and chrome is in need of some help, and the mechanicals are so far a big question mark. The car is totally original. No modifications whatsoever. I am wishing that I might be able to keep this car totally unrestored. However, there are many issues that need to be taken care of.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Take care,
Tom L.

[ja17]

Hello Tom,

Sounds like you may have a bad shock.

[dirtrack49]

Hi Joe,

Maybe so...however, I would think that if it were only a bad shock, I would still have some movement up and down with the spring? When I jack the right side up, the wishbone evidently is free since when I place the car back on the ground, I do get movement downward one time without really much recoil. After that, there is no longer any real movement.

Having not had this vintage of a Mercedes in the past, can you recommend a good part supplier for these cars? I guess I will order up some shocks along with several other items to get this car ready for start up.

One thing that kind of caught me by surprise, was the price of parts for these cars. I have several other vehicles, British and American, that although expensive, don't come anywhere near the cost involved with this particular automobile. Guess I will need to readjust my thinking for this one.

Take care,
Tom L.

[Raymond]

Tom,

It would be really unusual for a spring to go that bad, that way.  Not impossible, but unusual.  I think the shock is completely blown and may even be sticking compressed.  Remove the shock and see what you get.  Use the Search tool for threads on suspension and springs.  There is a lot of ground already covered. Although, I don't recall anyone every having your particular symptom.

As to parts suppliers, there are some listed on this site.  Yes, the parts are expensive, but you can still get most of them.  If you call the Classic Center and tell them you are a member of the club, Tom Hanson is usually able to extend a club discount.  Might offset the cost of shipping at least.  Our local dealer, Brumos, extends a 10% discount to MBCA members.   The good news is that shock absorbers are the same price as for any other car.  Bilsteins were OEM and you can still get them in regular and sport for reasonable prices at many outlets.  If your screen name, "Dirtrack" means you like a little better performance, I'd recommend Koni Classics.  More expensive but adjustable.  I think that German rubber is the best there is.  However, what is under your car is over 40 years old.  So you may want to plan on replacing it all a bit down the road.  There is also an aftermarket Urethane bushing kit if you want to firm up the ride. 

Good luck and let us know what you learn.

[dirtrack49]

Thanks for the info Raymond.

I will go ahead and get a set of shocks and all the other items needed to bring this car out of its sleep. I am sure it will be well worth the money spent.

The screen name "dirtrack" is from my old racing days in the seventies. Actually, I use to be known as "Slippery Tom" when I raced stock cars on the dirt ovals. Unfortunately, I was never very good at it...therefore the name Slippery Tom got layed on me by my partner and sponser.

I might look into using the koni's and the urethane bushings. I have use urethane on other cars and really liked the change in performance.

With this particular car, I am leaning more towards all OEM. Since the car is an automatic vs. a stick, I am really not that concerned with improving it's over all performance from what was original.

Thanks again,
Tom L.

[jameshoward]

Koni adjustables are the way to go! Not sure you'd want/need poly bushes if you go that route. It may ruin the ride of the car if too stiff, and pass on problems elsewhere on the chassis.

[dirtrack49]

Thanks James,

I will look into the different shocks available today including the Koni's.

I have noticed that the Bilstein shocks available come in two different numbers. One is OEM, the other I don't know. Anyone know the difference between the two?

Off topic, but can anyone tell me if there is some type of protective covering for the lower part of the radiator on a 1966 230sl automatic? While looking over the suspension problem, I noticed that the bottom portion, maybe three inches of the lower radiator is exposed to the road. Kind of seems odd to have a radiator sitting out there to get wacked by road hazards.

Thanks again for everyones help.

Tom L.