[W126 Coupe] Do I have suspension problems? (shuddering/instabilityover rougher roads)

[Kivendren]

Hi there Dawid, the drive from Jozy to Cape really opens a car up since it's
the only place we can really stretch these V8 Beauties. 

I experienced a Similar Problem on my 380 SEC about 2 years ago. Ask Attie
to check out the Drag Links since this was the problem on mine. 

Just Out Of Curiosity: How was your Fuel Consumption and are you using the
LRP or Unleaded Fuel??

-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Dawid Loubser
Sent: 09 January 2007 08:15 AM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Do I have suspension problems?
(shuddering/instabilityover rougher roads)

Hello,

I recently took the 560SEC on a 3500km round trip (Johannesburg to  
the Cape, and back) and I
experienced some weird behaviour. Over smooth, high-quality highway  
the riding quality and
stability is fantastic as ever, but over non-ideal sections (worn  
road, and little bumps
e.g. when going over a bridge at 120km/h) the car felt incredibly  
"loose" and uncontrolled.

Furthermore, if I hit a small bump, I feel shuddering through the  
steering wheel that goes on
for quite some time after the bump is over... The bump doesn't feel  
damped at all. The
one time there were several small indentations on the road, and the  
steering wheel shuddered
so violently I stopped to check if my wheel was falling off.

Yet, now that I'm back in Johannesburg, over smooth roads the car  
drives fantastically.
I'm only back now, and intend to start the investigative process -  
but any guidelines
would be fantastic.

My car (1990 model) is just about to go for its 120,000km (major)  
service, so anything I can
point out to my mechanic would be great.

My wheels, tyres and shock absorbers are fine, so it's highly  
unlikely that they're the
problem. Tyre wear on the front also seems normal. I've had my car  
for 30,000km now, and
I think this problem slowly got progressively worsen (from my memory  
of driving the
car on different roads) - I've never done a long trip like that  
before though.

thanks ever so much,
Dawid
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