4dr.no

iTrader: (1)

Hi everyone,
Coming up on 100k on my AMG Orphan #69 and my indy tells me it's time to replace the shocks/springs, but that it requires a special tool to compress the springs (too tall) which he doesn't have. I don't want to go to stealership, so my question is if switching to Bilsteins or H&Rs will save me the hassle?

Also: what are people paying these days for the change?

Thanks!

MagmaRed55

Springs and shocks are easy on these cars. The "special" tool is good if you have it but is not required. Factory or aftermarket, doesn't effect the price of the spring swap.

Aussiesuede

Luckily there are generic tools being made in the $130-$160 range, which is a far bit more reasonable than when only the German Made tool was available for $600-$1000. You can purchase the tool yourself to give to your Indy Mechanic. Tell him to knock $100 off your bill and he can keep it for future work.

Here is a link to the proper tool:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Ben...-/251958056293


I just got done adding new spacers atop my springs to bring the car to a more reasonable ride height, I couldn't find anyone who was reasonably priced that had the tool already. The best quote I got was $100 per spring if I provided the tool. I went ahead and just purchased the tool and did it myself. Took about 15 minutes each spring. Really simple. You just place a plate as far up on the spring as possible, press the center rod trough the hole in the A-Arm that's made for it, then attach the lower plate as low as possible on the spring. Then it's simply cranking on the ratchet to compress the spring. It's a pretty straightforward task.

4dr.no

iTrader: (1)

Appreciate the responses. I'm going to ask my mechanic about installing bilsteins. How much will it lower the car?

MagmaRed55

Bilstein shocks will not lower your car. The only two ways to lower are spring pad replacement or spring replacement. There are plenty of threads to read through if you want to go either route.

Good luck with this and be sure to post some pictures after.

jonUF02

The shocks are independent from the springs on this car, very simple to replace and pretty inexpensive. I put on the KYB replacements. I don't think I've ever replaced springs on any car, especially as regular maintenance, and especially at only 100K miles. If you're set on doing it, then you need the speical center type spring compression kit, get it from Ebay.