I went to the dealer today to order the two front rubber and plastic cover on the lower front windshield for my car. The rubber part was crack beyond recognition. A few pieces of the rubber was sticking out and the rest were gone. They were $25 a piece and should be an easy DIY job.

While I was there, I asked the parts guy to check on my car's shim pads and see what size pads I had. He went out and took down my VIN and did some calculations. To my surprise, he came up with 9mm in the front and 5mm in the back. I think that translate to #2 pads in the front and #1 pads in the back. I didnot know that the original car actually comes with #1 and #2 pads. I thought they were higher then that. To be frank, I actually notice that my front was kind of low but not to the point of rubbing yet. Now I don't have to change my pads anymore as they are what I want it to be originally.

So before you guys and gals go out to buy new shims to lower your car, check with the dealer first and see what your car is riding on.

 

Mine had #3 or #4 pads on it stock.

 

The parts guy at the dealership told me that each car are set up differently due to the weight of the car and the different leveling front and back. Also the springs are compressing differently hence each car has different pads to accormodate different high adjustments from the factory.

 

I would be surprised if AMG customized each E55. Should have been the same.

 

My 2002 has #1 pads in the front. Not sure about the rear yet but definitely #1 in the front. Seems they all vary depending on options.

 

I just change the plastic and rubber cover today. It took me total 15 minutes to take them out and clean the dust and dry leaves off and put the new ones on. Looking new again

 

Wow, that rubber was destroyed! Looks WAY better now

 

Add another thing to do to my car before I sell it. Mine look like yours previously did.

Do you have the part numbers for the pieces?

 

Here are the part numbers.....

210-831-09-58
210-831-10-58

 

Thanks! I'll have to hit up the dealer after work one day next week.

 

np

 

Looking good ! I will do the same thing soon..... mine need to get changed.
THanks for sharing.

 

All you need is a phillips and a flat head screwdriver. The phillips to unscrew the one screw holding each molding and the flathead to tuck the molding under the rubber strips on each corner of the windshield. Just be gentle when you push the old molding out so as not to misplace the metal clips used for the screws.

The hardest part was actually cleaning the debris and dust under the cover as that was 11 years worth of dirt and crap stuck under the molding....depending on where your car has been parked over the years