Problem replacing left front strut
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2004 E500
Problem replacing left front strut
I am replacing a leaking strut with an Arnott unit. I have removed the old strut, but I cannot get the new strut installed. I cannot get the three bolts to align with the three holes. I have done the venting trick with the battery, and after 15 times, the shock does not compress at all. I am aware of the consequences of releasing too much air, so I am trying to mount the strut and deal with the bottom bolt, but I cannot get it mounted at the top. I did not disconnect the ball joint or any other suspension components. Is there a trick just to get the strut into the strut tower?
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Disconnect the sway bar and you should have more room to get the shock in. when replacing mine I disconnected the sway bar on both sides so I could pull the lower control arm down using a small pry bar.
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06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
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2004 E500
Got the strut in the tower and the top 3 nuts on loosely. Working on the bottom bolt. Is the entire bushing threaded? I am having some difficulty getting that bolt back on. When I removed it I recall using my ratchet until it was out, but I could have been just spinning the bolt. Always something.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14
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2004 E500
Just having trouble aligning the bottom bracket so I can get the bolt in. I have done the pressure release with the battery about 20 times now, and I still cannot compress the strut with manual force at all. I am only about 1/2 inch from aligning the bolt hole, so I only need a little compression. I have the top electrical connection connected, but not the ADC/damping valve unit electrical connection at the bottom. I can still hear air releasing, but I certainly don't want to release all the air out.
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I disconnected the top ball joint for the extra room. Another tip is to put a jack under one lip of the strut jack it up to align the hole. That is what I did on the first one to get the last 1/2 inch to get the bottom bolt in.
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2004 E500
I had disconnected the spindle from the top ball joint. I then used the Mercedes strut bracket tool ( a nail set) to leverage the arm down so I could get the bolt in. Back on the road. Your previous posts on the subject were of great help. Thanks to all who provided input.
