Starleo_88

CLK 230k CAB '98:

5 years ago, we brought the car we put 18inch wheels on but my dad said they are damaging the car, as originally it came with 16's

He wants to sell them or part/ex them for smaller 16inch wheels.

When we're driving, on the slightest bump & over the smallest pot hole we hear a bang and it feels hard.

What do you recommend, is there possibility of raising the car, should we change the shock absorber or springs or both, what should we do?

If we should lift the car, then how should we lift it, or would it be better to go back with original wheels.

Pictures included
Thanks

dlbehrns

sounds to me like you have the tire pressure too high or your shocks are shot. lifting/raising your car will not help your situation.

mplsCLK

I'd 2nd shocks it appears you have good clearance on those wheels. And if they were doing damage you would have problems in way less than five years unless you never drive any direction but straight.

Starleo_88

thanks for the replies, lifting or raising the car is now out of the question

tyre pressure was slightly high but i fear the problem is the shocks

shocks may be 'shot'

i noticed today that the front driver side wheel to arch clearance is lower than the front passenger side

the difference is about 1inch approx.

is this a serious problem?

any tips on purchasing new shocks for this model?

is this the best plan of action?

mint

You also might want to make sure one of the springs isn't broken.

If those are good and the car is bouncy when you push down on the front (I believe more than 3 oscillations of the front means shocks are on their way out) then time to get new ones. I'd just buy an entire set for each corner. Bilstein HDs if you're not lowered, Bilstein Sports if you are lowered.

Starleo_88

are Bilstein the cheapest option, or is there a more basic and cheaper option. Im thinking of replacing just the front shocks.

could it be that just 1 or 2 springs need replacing, instead of the shocks?

Thanks for reading

mint

Trust me, don't try to go cheap on the Benz or you'll regret it later -- even trying to cut a few dollars here and there can cost you down the road.

Let me put it this way...Bilsteins are pretty much your only option. There's KYB and those are adjustable but they're softer than Bilsteins. They're not even that expensive.

I don't know about your springs...you'd have to do a visual check. As for the shocks, test using the method I stated above. I'd highly recommend if you're doing shocks you do all the corners; might as well save a little on labor rather than having to do the rears completely separate from the fronts (and if your fronts are going, the rears will soon follow).

Starleo_88

thanks for the help,

I'm still a bit reluctant to replace shocks as the cars only done 68,000 miles.

front drivers side wheel is definitely sitting 1 inch lower than the FP