[jserio]

My car rides awesome but going over bumps it feels funny. It feels like the front end is dribbling a basketball like right above the floor. Or another way to describe it I guess like driving over railroad ties really fast. Handles nice, rides nice, corners decent. Its just when you go over bumps. Its not bad just there. Wondering if there is any experience out there with this before I start dumping money in Ball Joints, Shocks, or any other front end related parts.

 

[jk001]

I would jack it up and shake down the suspension to see if you could find what is going on. It sounds like a strut or shock problem.

 

[keyhole]

Could this be a worn steering damper? Whats the mileage? They do need replacing, as they lose fluid & tension.

It looks like a thin suspension strut, located under the front end, lying horizonal sideways between the drag links.

If bad, when you hit bumps your steering could feel very loose for a short time.

 

[jserio]

That's a good one key. I will check that one also while the car is in the air. Thanks to all.

 

[jserio]

The car just past 150k.

 

[bobbyjo9]

You'll have a few OEM parts past there service life at that mileage. Have any parts been replaced? The shock keyhole referred to seems to only have a lifespan in the 30-40k mile range. Id go one more step and say the front shocks are ready for replacement in the 100k range. Sounds like a rebound problem if it's only bump related. The way your tires are wearing will help you narrow down your problem. If they are "cupping" then I would go with front shocks. Inside OR outside wear could be ball joints or steering linkage.

 

[jserio]

I just got the car recently. I highly doubt the guy I got it from did anything to the car ( glad he only had it about 7 months ). I just put new wheels and tires on it as well as rotors and brake pads. Had all the fluids changed. My mechanic said the steering damper was okay but!!! the shocks were okay but!!!. I take that as being change them soon. He also said that since what I describe was not very bad it could be possibly maybe that it is a convertible and a bit different structurally. Anyway, My next on the to do list is ball joints, bearings and shocks. I will update this thread on any further results. A continued thanks.

 

[insame1]

is a convertible

Search around for threads about verts and shaking. it seems to be a common problem from what I can put togather.

 

[bobbyjo9]

The verts do suffer some degree of cowl shake but it is (or at least should be) very minimal. I only feel it under a hard turn with a bump thrown in. Is that the bounce you are feeling? I thought you were talking in a straight line and under that circumstance, you should have as solid a feel as a coupe.

 

[jserio]

Yeah it is felt going straight but again it is not bad just there. Annoying at best since your driving a MB.

 

[tbsi430]

Could be worn out bushings, perhaps in the control arms.

 

[jserio]

Ah, Another area to look at. Keep em coming cause I'm making my list.

 

[summicron]

2 cents

I am not a MB expert but the basketball dribbling you describe is a classic indication of blown shocks. Of course it could be something else but shocks are easy to check. In my experience (mainly with Italian cars and Audi) a bushing or ball joint will also make a noise like a knock, thud or squeak. Anyhow shocks are easy to check.