khaug

Hi all. I'd like to change the OE shocks on our '05 E320 CDI for something less floaty - like, Bilstein HD shocks.

Has anyone here done a DIY shock replacement on a W211? How much of a job will I be in for? Special tools needed?

Finally, does anyone have experience with the Bilstein HD replacement shock on a W211? Your reactions?

Thanks.

coolgenner

What did you eventually go with? I want to perform a similar type operation to 'get the float out'.

220S

HDs will stiffen up the damping but you won't ever get the float out of the chassis. Sway bars can help with body roll but thicker ones can create a situation where in hard cornering the car cuts loose without enough warning. It's all a compromise in the end. The E Class has a suspension and steering rack that is what it is..... unfortunately "float" sells to the majority of the demographic buying an E Class.

Heatwave

The original question was: Has anyone here done a DIY shock replacement on a W211? How much of a job will I be in for? Special tools needed?

So ... what's the answer? Is there a thread here about replacing shocks, complete with pix? I too am curious as to how big a job it is.

konigstiger

Simple procedure for non-Airmatic f/r shock replacement PM email address and I will send instruction sheets.

BklynPlayboy

What about an 2004 e500 w/ airmatic ???

konigstiger

OEM front left part #2113206113, right 2113206013 (for comparison shopping, parts.com $753.25 each) alternative http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid127.html; rear L/R 2113262800 (400.20)

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...there-any.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...ic-spring.html

If you still want instruction sheets PM email address.

Henry.d

I changed my both rear shock absorbers 2 days ago. It should be an easy job for anyone. it took me about 5 hours follow instruction from the link below
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-absorber.html
*no special tool needed
I bought 2 Bilstein OEM Self-Leveling Shock Absorberfrom AutohausAZ for $369 each (onsale)
Here the link to their website: http://www.autohausaz.com

vettdvr

I followed your lead bought 2 myself and replaced them. Took longer than 5 hrs. Removal of entire trunk liner took a bit of thinking and I had the MB manual.

Routing the lead to the shock was a PITA because I didn't plan to go under the car and had to jack again.

I took my time and it worked out well and corrected my problem. I did find one shock leaking oil and pressure gone. The other shock was still good and I replaced it.

I didn't know the rubber bushings for the shock were not included as with most US made shocks. I reused the bushings on the origional shock for the top of the new shock.

Has anyone use the arnott front shocks? Lots of concerns on the rebuild since it does not actually rebuild the shock but only the air bag portion.

casman

Any chance that a shop could overhaul the old shocks...done regularly on motorbikes....Given the cost...could be cost effective????

GT-ER

My goodness, how did you guys take 5 hours to do the rears? I did mine in 1.5 hours without being in any big hurry.

casman

As there is a huge cost difference between the conventional rear and the rear air shocks, has anyone tried the following. 1. Remove the motion accelerometer from the old shock and place it on a conventional shock, provided that a compatible one can be found. 2. Is there a shop that specializes in overhauling the old shocks?

Cheers

rundeep_32

Hi Guys,

The rear end bounces up and down more than 3 times when I push down on the rear bumper of my 2004 E500 Wagon (92k miles). The car’s rear end also pitches sideways and clunks over bumps, but doesn’t bottom out (thinking because of the separate air springs). It just generally drives like the rear end isn’t talking with the rest of the car.

So I think I need new shocks, but wanted to make sure before dropping the $$. Is there any other test I should do? Lights illuminate for the Airmatic settings button next to gear selector (changing firmness seems to make no diff..). There are no dash warnings of impending disaster, etc..

I found a pretty good deal on rear shocks for my 2004 e500 wagon with Airmatic here:

http://www.partsgeek.com/2nkrnzl-mer...ber+-+Bilstein


Only issue is the part number is W0133-1910550. Is that just the Bilstein part number and is this shock identical to the 2113262800 Konigstiger posted above?

Thank you for any help and tips!

Ed

konigstiger

Not certain about Bilsten # but correct OEM shocks for your 211.283 with Airmatic are left, rear 2113200731; right 2113200831 (to comparison shop parts.com $372 each).

rundeep_32

The plot thickens…

Thanks Konigstiger. I thought Bilstein _was_ the OEM for these shocks? Oh well, I’ll try some cross referencing.

Is there anything different between the sedan shocks and the wagon shocks? Also, the write-ups I’ve seen have been for the sedans.. anything different with the wagons?

Thanks again, Ed

rundeep_32

OK, just tried to order from Parts.com and they want $111 for shipping! So I have been looking Everywhere and find only ECS tuning has 2113200731/831 for $394 per.

So I call ECS and they tell me the pn for my 2004 E500 Wagon with 489 is 2113261100 (left)/1200 (right) for $414 per. Googling these part numbers brings a couple of places to buy for about the same price.

Then, if I do a general search for my car, I get 3262112800 for about $375. This strut pn isn't left and right specific, just lists “2 per car”.

Another general search brings up 3262110100 for about $375. As with 2800, this pn is not left or right specific.

All of these struts state that they work with airmatic with code 489, which my wagon has….

Will all of these part numbers work or do I *need* to stay with 2113200731/831? If so, where can I buy them? This is so confusing!

Thanks much, Ed

konigstiger

Did you happen to mention that your vehicle is 4matic.

rundeep_32

I think so, but I was pretty sure that was a known spec being that the US got only 4matic e500 wagons…

Still can’t figure out why these struts are so hard to find w/o silly shipping charges…

ARD550

2007 E 550 4matic left front air strut is shot (85K miles on car). Dealer wants $1950. Part is $1485. Has anyone done this? And if so, can I expect the right front, and then rears to go? Any suggestions/insights greatly appreciated!

vettdvr

Check your times again when you are over 65 and let me know how long it takes you. I'll wait.

vettdvr

Yup! Rt Fr will follow at same price then rears at about $450 each.

GT-ER

I guess...lollll.

ARD550

thanks for the reply...I was afraid I'd hear something like that!

rundeep_32

OK Parts are in. Got the 211 320 08 31 and 211 320 07 31

I ended up getting them from “Genuine Mercedes Parts” in GA. They indeed are OEM and have a Mercedes hologram sticker across the opening of the box so you know if the box has been opened.

I paid $416 per with free shipping. Lowest I could find.

So know I’ve got a write-up to help with the repair. That’s good. But is anyone aware of a write-up on how to remove the interior panels in my E500 Wagon to access the top of the strut?

Thanks for any tips! Ed

Titus Nyanhanga

hi, I would like to procure for shipment to southern Africa rear airmatic shocks with their air bellows. Anyone please advise where I can source and any quote if possible