Another shock question
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 191
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From: Dallas
1999 E 320 (sold), 2015 AUdi S5 (sold) 2005 CLK55 Cab, 2016 Honda Pilot Elite, 2011 Jaguar XF
Another shock question
When you guys are replacing your shocks are you actually changing the struts in the front and actual shocks in the rear?
my rear shocks seem to be gone....car bounces up and down when rear decklid pushed down.
i'd rather change the front components too. will those be strut cartridges? and i'd also prefer new springs with slight lowering and better handling.
i got a labor quote of about $500. i haven't talked to anyone else. is this high?
my rear shocks seem to be gone....car bounces up and down when rear decklid pushed down.
i'd rather change the front components too. will those be strut cartridges? and i'd also prefer new springs with slight lowering and better handling.
i got a labor quote of about $500. i haven't talked to anyone else. is this high?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
Re: Another shock question
Originally posted by JYO
When you guys are replacing your shocks are you actually changing the struts in the front and actual shocks in the rear?
my rear shocks seem to be gone....car bounces up and down when rear decklid pushed down.
i'd rather change the front components too. will those be strut cartridges? and i'd also prefer new springs with slight lowering and better handling.
i got a labor quote of about $500. i haven't talked to anyone else. is this high?
When you guys are replacing your shocks are you actually changing the struts in the front and actual shocks in the rear?
my rear shocks seem to be gone....car bounces up and down when rear decklid pushed down.
i'd rather change the front components too. will those be strut cartridges? and i'd also prefer new springs with slight lowering and better handling.
i got a labor quote of about $500. i haven't talked to anyone else. is this high?
Front shocks are shocks on a W210. They may look like struts because of the high top mount, but they are just shocks.
Was this quote for everything? Lowering springs and shocks? Also, were they quoting the front as struts and not shocks?
At any rate, if the total is with the labor for the springs, then the price in the ball park. If it is just shocks, then probably a little too high.
I pulled my driver's side shock out for inspection. It was not hard at all. The rear will require the removing the carpet panels on the side, but otherwise it is straight forward.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 191
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From: Dallas
1999 E 320 (sold), 2015 AUdi S5 (sold) 2005 CLK55 Cab, 2016 Honda Pilot Elite, 2011 Jaguar XF
The guy quoted the rate for struts in front and shocks in back and quote did include labor for springs. i was hoping to do this for less $$$.
eibach has a Pro Set that includes Pro Kit springs and Pro Dampers. I saw the pic on tire rack and and the front shocks (struts?) looked different than the rear. And it comes with 2 bump stops. what are those for?
one more important question:
There is also some kind of alignment kit (it looked like a bolt shaped apparatus) that tire rack carries. I'd love to have some lowering but also still have alignment in spec. will this work? and is it expensive?
thanks all.
eibach has a Pro Set that includes Pro Kit springs and Pro Dampers. I saw the pic on tire rack and and the front shocks (struts?) looked different than the rear. And it comes with 2 bump stops. what are those for?
one more important question:
There is also some kind of alignment kit (it looked like a bolt shaped apparatus) that tire rack carries. I'd love to have some lowering but also still have alignment in spec. will this work? and is it expensive?
thanks all.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Look like the shop guy give you a BS, or he just doesn't know about the car.
On the old E300/320 (W124), there're strut in front, and shock in rear. On the W210, both front and rear use shock, they look different, but theyre' both shock. Pretty straight foward to replaced. I was charged $80 to replace both front and rear shock. As the matter of fact, it's cheaper to replace shock on the mercedes than some of the toyota, since on the rear shock, you don't have to take out the rear seat as other car do (access from trunk)
Due to the design of the W210, if you just change shock, you don't need to do alignment.
If you change spring, I think the job is bigger, and you will have to do alignment afterward. If this's the first time you do alignment on your car, you will need the camber kit, found at dealer or perfomane shop.
You might want to put Bilstein HD into consideration, it's the best $500 I've ever spent on my car.
On the old E300/320 (W124), there're strut in front, and shock in rear. On the W210, both front and rear use shock, they look different, but theyre' both shock. Pretty straight foward to replaced. I was charged $80 to replace both front and rear shock. As the matter of fact, it's cheaper to replace shock on the mercedes than some of the toyota, since on the rear shock, you don't have to take out the rear seat as other car do (access from trunk)
Due to the design of the W210, if you just change shock, you don't need to do alignment.
If you change spring, I think the job is bigger, and you will have to do alignment afterward. If this's the first time you do alignment on your car, you will need the camber kit, found at dealer or perfomane shop.
You might want to put Bilstein HD into consideration, it's the best $500 I've ever spent on my car.
Originally posted by JYO
The guy quoted the rate for struts in front and shocks in back and quote did include labor for springs. i was hoping to do this for less $$$.
eibach has a Pro Set that includes Pro Kit springs and Pro Dampers. I saw the pic on tire rack and and the front shocks (struts?) looked different than the rear. And it comes with 2 bump stops. what are those for?
one more important question:
There is also some kind of alignment kit (it looked like a bolt shaped apparatus) that tire rack carries. I'd love to have some lowering but also still have alignment in spec. will this work? and is it expensive?
thanks all.
The guy quoted the rate for struts in front and shocks in back and quote did include labor for springs. i was hoping to do this for less $$$.
eibach has a Pro Set that includes Pro Kit springs and Pro Dampers. I saw the pic on tire rack and and the front shocks (struts?) looked different than the rear. And it comes with 2 bump stops. what are those for?
one more important question:
There is also some kind of alignment kit (it looked like a bolt shaped apparatus) that tire rack carries. I'd love to have some lowering but also still have alignment in spec. will this work? and is it expensive?
thanks all.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 191
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From: Dallas
1999 E 320 (sold), 2015 AUdi S5 (sold) 2005 CLK55 Cab, 2016 Honda Pilot Elite, 2011 Jaguar XF
zam, i read your other post about the difference your shocks made for you and have considered doing what you've done. i would kind of like the car a bit lower though fo rlooks and better cornering.
but i'll weigh the pros and cons.
how much difference in handling have you noticed?is it just the ride quality that has changed so much.
i'll have to dig up your other post and reread it.
but i'll weigh the pros and cons.
how much difference in handling have you noticed?is it just the ride quality that has changed so much.
i'll have to dig up your other post and reread it.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,464
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
I can't really comment on the lowering part, since I don't have it. However, I think if you want to improve handling, it's the shock & tire that count. Lowering the car may help, but as I've read somewhere, it's like adding a big wing to your car, it's often found to help at racetrack or autobann speed. About the look, well, it's subjective, so you make the call.
About the difference the new sock make: well, I also own a Lexus GS300. Where before, the Benz ride & handle more like a Lexus, it's now more like my old (sold) 98 BMW 5 serie w/ sport package, best car I've ever owned.
If you enjoy smooth ride, don't change the shock, you will not like it. If you prefer sport car handling, then go with: shock, then tire, and if that's still not enough, spring. Don't do everything at once (only go to next step if the previous one is not enough for your taste): they're quite costly, and your bone may not be ready for it. If you're married, or about to, be assured that you woman will hate it !!!
About the difference the new sock make: well, I also own a Lexus GS300. Where before, the Benz ride & handle more like a Lexus, it's now more like my old (sold) 98 BMW 5 serie w/ sport package, best car I've ever owned.
If you enjoy smooth ride, don't change the shock, you will not like it. If you prefer sport car handling, then go with: shock, then tire, and if that's still not enough, spring. Don't do everything at once (only go to next step if the previous one is not enough for your taste): they're quite costly, and your bone may not be ready for it. If you're married, or about to, be assured that you woman will hate it !!!
Originally posted by JYO
zam, i read your other post about the difference your shocks made for you and have considered doing what you've done. i would kind of like the car a bit lower though fo rlooks and better cornering.
but i'll weigh the pros and cons.
how much difference in handling have you noticed?is it just the ride quality that has changed so much.
i'll have to dig up your other post and reread it.
zam, i read your other post about the difference your shocks made for you and have considered doing what you've done. i would kind of like the car a bit lower though fo rlooks and better cornering.
but i'll weigh the pros and cons.
how much difference in handling have you noticed?is it just the ride quality that has changed so much.
i'll have to dig up your other post and reread it.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Dallas
1999 E 320 (sold), 2015 AUdi S5 (sold) 2005 CLK55 Cab, 2016 Honda Pilot Elite, 2011 Jaguar XF
Don't do it.....I've heard many a time people doing this and getting the desired ride height they want but the actual ride quality being worse than before springs.
springs and shocks need to be reasonably mated to get decent performance. your OEM shocks don't have the proper valving and travel for a lower than oem spring and on top of that they are probably old enough to need changing.
either do what zam has done and change only shock or get a set like eibach's that inlcudes matched springs and shocks.
after hearing zam's story i think i'll just change shocks and tires for now and then see how it goes. it'll probably be sufficent. i'm riding some sumitomo tires that are awful and have prematurely worn partly due to rear shocks having been blown.
springs and shocks need to be reasonably mated to get decent performance. your OEM shocks don't have the proper valving and travel for a lower than oem spring and on top of that they are probably old enough to need changing.
either do what zam has done and change only shock or get a set like eibach's that inlcudes matched springs and shocks.
after hearing zam's story i think i'll just change shocks and tires for now and then see how it goes. it'll probably be sufficent. i'm riding some sumitomo tires that are awful and have prematurely worn partly due to rear shocks having been blown.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 191
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From: Dallas
1999 E 320 (sold), 2015 AUdi S5 (sold) 2005 CLK55 Cab, 2016 Honda Pilot Elite, 2011 Jaguar XF
what does the HD stand for? is it heavy duty? isn't that for unusually heavy loads?
what other shocks are worthy of considering?
what other shocks are worthy of considering?
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 209
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From: Home of the Cardinals
E320 2000 w/GPS
KONI's
I am planning to get Koni adjustable shocks, some one had good reviews about them. My new vogtland spring supposed to arrive sometime next week. I think Bilstein also HD (heavy duty I guess) supposed to be pretty good too. it is kind hard to decide between Koni or Bilstein.....
