Rear spring perch failure

[J-Sauce]

While replacing my rear subframe bushings this week, I found something horrifying: my rear spring perches are in terrible shape. The driver side has cracked completely through the upper support ring, and the passenger side seems to be on its way out too. I've found threads online about front perches going, but not the rear. This is not a rust issue, it looks like simple metal fatigue.

Alas, I can not find a part number for replacing the rear perches, only the front. Any help there? I will not drive the car until replacements are welded in. I'll grab some pics when I do the repair.

 

[Glen]

Wow, I've never heard of the rear perches failing. Post some pix!

 

[gsxr]

Yikes! Yes - pics needed.

On a related note - what subframe bushings did you use? I just did this job on my E420 and found some interesting info about the current bushing kits. I ended up buying the kit contents separately. Drop me an email for more info...

 

[gerryvz]

Must be metal fatigue caused by repeated NOS usage.

Though I've heard of a few instances of W124 spring perch failures (as said, primarily on the front end) this has largely been the domain of the W210...



Cheers,
Gerry

 

[J-Sauce]

I didn't end up doing the bushing job yet because I thought my time would be better spent checking into the perch issue. Especially if I have to remove more parts to get to the perches. Might as well wait until I have less stuff in the way. I actually only bought the rear bushings by mistake, I still need to order the front. Ill shoot you an email. But I think I know what you mean about the parts being cheaper separately for the front kit. I remember seeing that when crossreferencing the epc vs parts.com.

Any help with the rear perch part numbers?

 

[gsxr]

I'm not sure, but it looks like the rear spring perches are part of a larger assembly - see attached photo. If that is the correct item, it is part # 124-610-02-16, MSRP $310. You might want to chop some out of a P+P car instead...?

 

[J-Sauce]

Well, that would explain why I couldn't find it. Also, I've recently noticed my trunk interior had some bulging panelling near the spring area on that side. Probably related as that bar runs across there. I'll pull apart my interior and see if I can see anything there.

It doesn't look like a job I'll wan to do twice, and definitely doesn't look worth the trouble to pull one off a junkyard car with whatever tools I can carry in, just to save a few bucks. I'll dig into it further. Thanks Dave.

 

[gsxr]

I think the part will be the cheapest part of the job. I have a bad feeling you'll not like the body shop quote to replace that complete panel. Hope I'm wrong though. On the bright side, if the subframe has to be completely removed to do the job, it will make the bushing replacement a breeze...

 

[500AMM]

Justin,

I guess all parts shown on the exploded view Dave posted are weldment parts. However, this part may not be seam welded but spot welded. It seems like the entire chassis is resting on this part, so it may only be spot welded, which gives a hope to replace it without too much cutting. Do also keep in mind that replacement chassis parts may not be exactly as the part used during production, but made simpler just to get them replaced.

My 2 cents on this.

 

[J-Sauce]

g**damn it. MSRP on 124-610-02-16 went up to $454. Even parts.com can only get it down to $326. The price hikes this year may seriously make this car unaffordable to me.

 

[gsxr]

A lot of parts went up 30-50% as of Jan-1. A few things are up 100% (double). I'm not happy about it either.

 

[500AMM]

g**damn it. MSRP on 124-610-02-16 went up to $454. Even parts.com can only get it down to $326. The price hikes this year may seriously make this car unaffordable to me.

A lot of parts went up 30-50% as of Jan-1. A few things are up 100% (double). I'm not happy about it either.

I guess the tragic financial situation in the US is a pushing factor for this. The US are probably forced to align with the rest of the world on their prices. Sorry for you, but also for us on this side of the pond. The US Congress recently agreed to immediate raise the income tax for salaries over $200k, a good thing eh? Yes. It gives US another couple of months to keep the dept on an arm length distance. It's about time that the real wealthy people over there pay a realistic amount of tax and stop thinking "not me, but the others".

Over to topic; cut the part out of a wreck on the breakers. With a 9" grinder and a robust plate saw/cutter it should be a 2 hour job.

 

[Glen]

Justin,
Have you had a chance to fix this yet?

Just curious...

 

[J-Sauce]

Car has been down due to a blown head gasket which has taken priority. So, no. I haven't fixed it yet.

However, I have taken the opportunity to delve into some other mods & repairs while the engine is apart. It's currently in the reassembly process now. All will be revealed upon completion.

 

[Glen]

Ooooh...that sounds interesting!