I am replacing partially failed accumulators and changing to a E500 rear sway bar on my 95 E320 wagon. I inspected the upper hydrostrut mounting bushings per recommendations on this site, and sure enough, the bottom halves were toast. I have owned the car only 6 months- my first Mercedes. I have considered selling it because of excessive road noise, and I suspect some of this is the failed accumulators and the resultant failed strut upper mount bushings.
On inspection, I can see that the strut rod has been contacting the edge of the hole in the floor pan- likely a big noise transmitter, and the noise that dissappoints me in the car has been a floor drumming sound whenever going over even modest highway cracks, etc.
My question: The combination of upper and lower halves of the upper rear strut mount don't show an obvious design to maintain the rod in the center of the floor pan hole. The floor pan has a mild stamped depression to match the bushing from the interior side- is that all that keeps the mounts from drifting and letting the rod contact the floor, or have the rubber parts deteriorated so badly that a centering shoulder is missing? There were some small broken scraps of hard rubber sandwiched between the halves- is this the remnant of an additional collar or insulator?
Local MB dealer states these rubber parts must be ordered from Germany- any tips on finding them quickly so I can get wife's car back onthe road this weekend?
Thank yu so much for any advice. This site has been fantastic!

completely sure i understand that question but i think i do. the top of the strut (the shock like thing) is centered by the rubber which will have lips and snouts that center everything when it is all there and installed correctly. though it seems unlikely you could get it wrong.

and wagons always will have thrumming noises that a sedan wont because of the large open space that rides right above the rear suspension. some humming and droning under certain pavement conditions is very normal. it is part of the character of a wagon. any wagon.

but a benz wagon is quieter than most.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I remember reading somewhere that installing E500 rear sway bars require modification to the wagon because they are of larger diameter than the stock ones.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles