Shocks and Struts...
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
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From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
Shocks and Struts...
I am hearing a noise in the rear from the suspension when going over wavy (undulating) roads...it may be the cold temps but I'm thinking the rear shocks may be going...the passenger rear seems to have more motion in it than the driver's side...
if it should be shocks (and I may do struts too) at almost 72K miles what does anyone suggest???
I believe stockers are Bilstein Touring (B4) and the OE type are not too expensive but Bilstein makes Sports (B8) and Heavy Duty (B6) types...big price differences too...
the B4s should give me back the as new feel but I am not sure what that was since I didn't buy mine as new...
the B6s (HD) are supposed to tighten things up on a stock suspension and I have had some experience with these on a truck and I liked the improvement over the stock Bilstein's in that application...these are the most expensive...
the B8 (Sports) appear to be the firmest ride and might be for shortened springs...I would probably pass on these as I don't plan on changing springs or anything else if I don't have too...
Prices seem to be all over the place with shock warehouse appearing to have the best prices so far...
any suggestions, comments you care to share would be appreciated...
Bill
if it should be shocks (and I may do struts too) at almost 72K miles what does anyone suggest???
I believe stockers are Bilstein Touring (B4) and the OE type are not too expensive but Bilstein makes Sports (B8) and Heavy Duty (B6) types...big price differences too...
the B4s should give me back the as new feel but I am not sure what that was since I didn't buy mine as new...
the B6s (HD) are supposed to tighten things up on a stock suspension and I have had some experience with these on a truck and I liked the improvement over the stock Bilstein's in that application...these are the most expensive...
the B8 (Sports) appear to be the firmest ride and might be for shortened springs...I would probably pass on these as I don't plan on changing springs or anything else if I don't have too...
Prices seem to be all over the place with shock warehouse appearing to have the best prices so far...
any suggestions, comments you care to share would be appreciated...
Bill
#2
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
looks like my only choice for shocks and Bilstein in the cabriolet are the touring-OE version...it seems that the Heavy Duty versions do not fit the Cab...
Bill
Bill
#5
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
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From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
My understanding is the B4-Touring is the softest but still firm...i've had the B6 HDs on other vehicles and never found them too hard...never had the B8 Sports but those are more for lowered suspensions...
Mine is a W209 if that means anything...
Bill
Mine is a W209 if that means anything...
Bill
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#8
How is the ride/handling? I just mounted 18" Forgestar wheels and I have Eibach springs with Bilstein B8 shocks sitting in my garage. How is the ride and do you rub? I know I'm gonna have to fender roll both front and rears.
#9
I've been lowered on h&r springs koni yellow front struts and bilstein sports in the rear, for 1 1/2 years. I wish I wrote down the part numbers for all this to be of more help to anyone doing this. But I will say, that was by far the best mod I have done. Looks and handling. I then added 18 inch Roderick wheels 18x8 and 18x9. Front was 35 offset was supposed to be 32 their mistake. I decided to put a 5mm spacer on the front instead of shipping it back they bought me the spacer. Perfect fitment no rubbing. The rear is35mm offset, I just installed a 15mm spacer. Nice flush look. My rear fenders are rolled. No rubbing 99% of the time. When I have a passenger and hit a really big bump at speed I will get a little squeak letting me know I am at the ragged edge. I almost went with a 20 mm spacer.
#10
My wheels are 18 x 8.5 ET28 in the front and 9.5 ET33 in the rear. I'm scared of the rubbing because I'm on the stock suspension right now but as I've had the parts for a while just sitting in my garage. I called a shop for fender rolling the fronts and they said that they might not be able to do it because it isn't aluminum/steel or something like that? Is that true? They said they could do the rears though.
#14
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 984
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From: Kingsville Ontario (South of Detroit)
2003 S500 4Matic (SOLD) + 2004 S55 (SOLD) 2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet 2008 S 450
I had the same (?) noise in the back of my '05 Cab. We traced it to a broken rear spring. Strangely only the tip of the spring was broken resulting in a very small height differential.
#15
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
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From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
#16
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
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From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
my issue was in fact a shot passenger side rear sock absorber...I picked up a pair of OE (I thought) Bilstein Touring and the shocks removed were Sachs...
70,049 miles...
Bill
70,049 miles...
Bill
Last edited by SIGagain; 03-11-2015 at 11:22 AM.
#18
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
realized after driving a bit that the from is also soft so I ordered some Bilstein B4 struts...
I took the opportunity of nice weather in ChicagoLand to check the air filters and the cabin filter...all look clean at 72,049 miles...oil is clean and full as well...
Bill
I took the opportunity of nice weather in ChicagoLand to check the air filters and the cabin filter...all look clean at 72,049 miles...oil is clean and full as well...
Bill
#20
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
I saw plenty of choices...Sachs, Koni, Bilstein, Monroe, KYB...but I have the standard suspension and springs with 17"wheels and tires...
Rockauto.com has good prices too...
Bill
Rockauto.com has good prices too...
Bill
#23
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
the front struts and the rear shocks with Bilstein B4 Touring...I received no real comments or help on anything different and I thought OEM was Bilstein...my 2007 CLK 350 Cab had Sachs from the factory...
Bill
Bill
#25
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: ChicagoLand, Illinois USA
2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
I think it rides, drives and handles much better than before...the rear end seems a bit soft over undulating pavement but for most everything else, it seems firm but not hard.
I especially like the change in the front end from a Strut change...the front responds much better and I don't feel the roll (seems to stay level now) that I did before the strut change...
Bill
I especially like the change in the front end from a Strut change...the front responds much better and I don't feel the roll (seems to stay level now) that I did before the strut change...
Bill