SeanMGibson1835

Hey guys, New here!

After a nice long winter up in the north east, the potholes finally got me. The front passenger side shock absorber needs to be replaced. I know that I need to replace them in pairs and have the means to do it. However the thing I'm having trouble with is finding a complete front replacement. I can't seem to find anything other than just the coil, or just the strut. If anyone can offer incite on where I can find an complete replacement it would be greatly appreciated.

Funkwagen

I had the same problem and couldn't find any full assemblies, and I assume it'd be $$$ if I did. Ended up buying all the pieces individually and having them assembled by a shop before I installed them in the car. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to DIY assemble the struts. Regular spring compressors, I can confirm, do not work

M~Factor

How about an aftermarket coilover that is comparable to OEM ride quality?

Funkwagen

4matic w204s have very limited aftermarket options for coilovers.. The only compatible kit I know of is KW v3 coilovers. Which are quite pricey

tekfoc

GET SOME B6 Bilsteins hd struts really excellent for east cost pot holes
I have them standing by in my closet for when the replacement from Mercedes ware out. I'm ready.

Funkwagen

How much did you pay for them?

tekfoc

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...c350-35-170815

or get the sale from here
I purchased the rear b6 shocks from them
http://www.ajusa.com/2012-Mercedes-B...21eq139a8.html

SeanMGibson1835

Thanks for the help. I've been looking on eBay for some quality used OEM replacements. Found some for about 175-200. But I might end up just going with the Bilstein's. It's a toss up right now. Figure if I'm doing the front I might as well do the back while I'm at it.

Colin G

I will be buying those also when the time comes.


Pot hole central up here too.

Colin G

AJ USA price is good. Too bad no shipping to Canada.

Just204

if you don't mind used, you can get a strut assembly cheap here; car-part.com. I've used the site before.

JWH321

Can you elaborate a bit on why the regular spring compressors would not work? I'm hoping to do this in the next week or so.

Thanks

tekfoc

bringing this back
I just replaced my struts with the B6 bilsteins struts and used harbor freight sizer spring compressor .
was a real pain in the ***.
once you remove the spring you must release spring from compressor and then reset it back on to a higher part of spring coil to get it compress far enough for the strut mount to be bolted back on.
I highly suggest that people bring the strut to a shop and let them use there compressor.
then bring it back to your car and mount it. very easy to dismount and mount struts back on the car.
sure enough the stock struts that was replaced from Mercedes a year and half was worn out already.
easy to compress on floor and both struts were making loud squeaking noises when I compress them on the floor.
freaking sachs stock struts are garbage.

this is what i used .
https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...sor-43753.html

Tom in Austin

I just put Koni FSDs on my 11.5k mile 2014 C350, and getting ready to sell the OEM sport struts/shocks.

PM if you'd be interested in going this route.

Nicholi2007

If I replace the fronts with these, can the rear wait? Or do you need to do it all at once?

tekfoc

Sure can that’s what I did .
I changed out the fronts to b6 struts and held off installing the rear shocks cause they were still good for the mean time.
performed well.
I no longer own my W204 traded in.

Nicholi2007

As for replacing strut mounts, is there confusion? I only thought the strut bearings went.

I get replacing the bolts. Not sure about the strut bumper but probably a good idea...

tekfoc

Do your self a big favor
always replace the strut mount with a new strut mount bearings.
Include all hardware.
original strut bumper stops must be removed and not used on B6 bilsteins because the B6 struts have internal bump stops .

Nicholi2007

I decided to stay with B4 for now. I got a great deal at $268.17 shipped, no tax.

Car has 122K. replace strut bumpers too? I just hate replacing stuff unless it's absolutely necessary....

tekfoc

I have no idea if the B4 bilsteins struts have internal bump stops .
you need to find out .

chabbs93

did you change the bumpers?

Gazwould

Mercedes OEM is Bilstein in this application and they are not ordinary dampers as they are dual rate.

Bilstein B4 DampMatic


https://www.aftermarket.com.au/bilstein-b4-dampmatic/