nasdaqer55

Noticed a clunking sound over larger bumps at lower speeds and the dealership said that it needed a new driver's side Strut. Car has the the regular (not air) suspension. MB dealership quoted me $1700 for the repair, but the dealership I bought it from (Walser Toyota in Bloomington, MN) is willing to have the car repaired through the MB dealership for $1k, at a wholesale cost. Still seems pricey. Especially for a car I just purchased.

However, I think that I found the part that I need for 160 bucks.

http://www.thebenzbin.com/products/?...37&search.y=11

Is there a DIY write up floating around? Searched, but wasn't able to find anything. Is there a good independant MB mechanic in the Minneapolis metro area that anyone can recommend?

Car is a 2007 E350 4Matic Sport P1, just hit 58k

Thanks in advance

nasdaqer55

does 1 grand sound like a rip off for this? Has anyone attempted this?

nasdaqer55

just called Munich Motors here in town, and they said the part lists for $1300 bucks. maybe I'm looking at the wrong strut. Does anyone know if they are different for a 4Matic vs rwd?

nasdaqer55

Also -- just thinking out loud here,, what do you think my chances of having it covered by warranty are? 8k over the 50k warranty?

crazypotato

Local private shop can probably do it with 2 hrs of labour. You can always supply your own parts. You need a spring compressor if you plan to DIY.

MercFiveHundred

Does your car have air suspension - that would explain that repair price for a front airmatic strut? Weird for any shock to make clunking noises at only 58K.

"Strut" is also referred to the control arm that goes from the front of the car to the front wheel knuckle.

Hope all goes well.

crazypotato

he should mean the shock absorber from the link he included in his post. Control arm shouldn't clunk?

Hubi

Hi

I had the same problem with mu e320 wagon (non airmatic on the front) - and I just changed this part
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._2CB14693.aspx
now everuthing is fine. The dealier stiler told me over a thousand but I checked the local german carrs service in chicago and they were just laughing about the dealer quote......
hubi

kiamcoj

Interested?

https://mbworld.org/forums/suspensio...gs-shocks.html

SZMB

$1000 is way too much for replacing a shock absorber, unless something else needs to be replaced. If the spring is not broken, it can be reused, considering it only has 58k mi. Do a search in youtube.com for a generic DIY for replacing struts. The most difficult part is replacing/installing the spring. It shouldn't cost more than $150 in labor for changing one shock at most indy shops. Last time, an indy shop charged me only $300 in labor for changing all 4 struts in a BMW 530i.
Do you see oil leak in the shock? If you push down on the front corner of the car, if the car bounces more than 1.5 times (bounces up then down 1/2 and stops bouncing), the shock is probably worn, otherwise, the shock should be good.
Have an indy shop check out the ball joints and other suspension parts. People can't quote you the cost of the repair without looking at the problem.

nasdaqer55

just called an independant shop, and they are telling me a new unit from MB is 1300 bucks....

Jon -- was the car a 4matic with the sport package? I was told that the struts are all unique, ie, rwd vs 4 matic and sport vs non-sport.

Don't want to get hosed -- thanks to all for the info so far!

nasdaqer55

So Hubi,, you were told it was a strut and it ended up being part of a control arm?

Hubi

yeah

spent much less just for these middle section control arm ball joints ...

I had the same sit with the leakage from the tranny. The autohaus on edens close to chicago told me that I have to change a transmission pan but it was just a connector.....

nice

research research and research....

good luck

nasdaqer55

so, the plot thickens,,, the $1,000 estimate is for both front struts installed. I made a couple calls, and I guess that the struts are dealer-only items. I was told that there are 4 different struts for the E350, and the 4matic Sport package is a unique part. Does anyone have a source that I could order this from? I have looked all over the interwebs and have only been able to find either the airmatic or the strut for the standard (non-sport) model.

I have replaced the control arms, brakes and pad, valve cover gaskets, and cam chain tensioner gaskets on my previous BMW's and Audi A6. I wouldn't say I'm an expert mechanic by any stretch, but I know just enough to be dangerous . is replacing these as hard as I have been led to believe?

If anyone can provide me a source, I'm going to roll up my sleeves and try it myself. I'll post a DIY write-up as well.

Thanks all

konigstiger

Left 2113236500 (for comparison shopping, http://www.parts.com/oemCatalog/inde...D=2&makeid1=67 $212.75), right 2113236600 (207) – check your email I sent pricing along with replacement instructions days ago.

nasdaqer55

fantastic -- sorry must have missed the email. I really appreciate it!

nasdaqer55

Konigstiger -- can't thank you enough for everything! you're a fantastic resource for everyone on this board!

WRC7732

I would go with a set of Bilstein HD's if I were you. $499 on eBay for both front struts and both rear shocks. Rears are easy, and fronts can be done by renting a spring compressor. You'll need access to an impact gun and air compressor to remove the nut from the top of the front struts. All 4 can be done in around 2-3 hours.

The $1000+ sounds as though it's for air shocks, which you said you didn't have. If that's the price for regular MB front struts then it's an absurd amount in my opinion.

GL.

nasdaqer55

Thanks, WRC7732 -- I'll check it out. Yes, seemed really high to me.

crazypotato

you definitely need a spring compressor. I am not sure if you need a mercedes specific compressor for it. Let us know how it goes.

nasdaqer55

http://www.toolking.com/performance-...ing-compressor

Hoping this will work

9thWonder

Hey, I was just wondering if the OP ever finished the project and which struts he went with. I have a 2007 E350 4matic w/ SP1. Basically the same set up as the OP. I also need to change my front struts and was wondering if the Bilstein B8 struts actually work with my car. I know that the E350's come with different struts for each set up and ours require a special one since we have 4matic and the sports package. I really would rather use the Bilstein ones instead of the OEM's. Also, if the Bilstein ones do work, any recommendations on which ones to go with? The B6 or the B8. I want as smooth and comfortable a ride as possible.

Thanks in advance guys.

XXBogey

How many miles on the Struts? Highway or city driving?
Thanks!!

9thWonder

I have 60k miles on them, but mercedes has been telling me since 50k that I need to change the struts. I'm hoping that I haven't already messed up some of the ball joints or control arms. I mostly do city driving and I'm definitely feeling every single bump and I'm starting to here a noise as well.

Any help would be appreciated. I was hoping to place the order today. If it turns out that I can only use the OEM ones, what would be the best place to purchase them?

konigstiger

211.087 (e3504m sedan)
front left 2113236500, right 2113236600 (to comparison shop parts.com $199.20 + shipping each); rear l&r 2113264300 ($153.60 ea.)