CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

2002 CLK430 front shocks nut torque?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 29, 2014 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
radaddict's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430 & 2007 E350
2002 CLK430 front shocks nut torque?

Can someone post the torque specs for the front shocks top self locking nut please? I'm finding some references saying the top nut torque is 18 Nm and others saying it's 30 Nm. Clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 08:45 AM
  #2  
radaddict's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430 & 2007 E350
I went with 30 Nm for the torque. I think the different torque specs are do to some installations having an additional nut to lock the main top nut in place and that additional top nut has a lower torque. Merely speculation on my part.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 11:40 AM
  #3  
radaddict's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430 & 2007 E350
Well, I've found some additional information on another forum indicating what I have done to be incorrect:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208...43-shocks.html

Apologies for the cross forum reference. Anyway, it appears the shock to frame torque spec is 18 Nm and the locking nut above it to be 30 Nm (the bottom shock to control arm torque spec is 55 Nm).

My car does not have a lock nut on top of the shock to frame nut - hence my confusion. So, I'll be re-torquing mine accordingly (and I'll probably add a lock nut since that is the intended design).

Also, the torque specs are the same for front and rear shocks.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 02:27 PM
  #4  
CJackson13's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
30 Nm sounds about right. It rings a bell of when I replaced my shocks a couple years ago. I've had no issues since.

As long as the top nut is locked and torqued with the shock at full extension, you should be completely fine.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 02:56 PM
  #5  
radaddict's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430 & 2007 E350
I don't think torque is that critical in this application, so long as it's not too loose or too tight. I've also found a reference to an "old school" method of tightening that top nut without using a torque wrench: Tighten the nut until the outer diameter of the rubber mount matches the outer diameter of the flat washer sitting on top of it (rubber mount). At 30 Nm, the outer diameter of the rubber mount is a bit larger than the washer. So, I'm going to back off until it matches the washer and check the torque. I highly suspect it will be in the neighborhood of 18 Nm.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2014 | 05:17 PM
  #6  
CJackson13's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
W208 CLK55
Wow, you really did your research. I applaud you

What's your reason for needing the info? Did you replace your shocks? If so did you go OEM or the Koni/Bilstein route for better handling?
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2014 | 09:24 AM
  #7  
radaddict's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430 & 2007 E350
Replaced with Bilsteins - B6 (HD) up front. I had a hard time finding a source for rear HDs, so I went with B4 OEM in the rear. C'est la vie.
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2014 | 11:12 AM
  #8  
tdotmann's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
2001 CLK430 coupe
Please post a review of your B6 shocks. I'm thinking about buying the same ones and would like to know how they ride, handle etc.
Cheers.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 4, 2014 | 08:10 PM
  #9  
radaddict's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
2002 CLK430 & 2007 E350
Originally Posted by tdotmann
Please post a review of your B6 shocks. I'm thinking about buying the same ones and would like to know how they ride, handle etc.
Cheers.
Handling is a bit more crisp and the ride is a bit harsh compared to stock. If the car had rack and pinion steering, the Bilsteins would make it BMW-ish. YMMV.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2014 | 11:06 AM
  #10  
jonUF02's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Stock ride is harsh enough for me, that's why I went with the KYB stock replacements instead of the HD type.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:59 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE