Advice needed - Bilstein B6 HD install on W211 E320 CDI
 

Hello there, folks

Not sure how to address this. I did a million searches and could not get a definitive answer. I am about to replace my original Sachs with B6 HD for my 2005 E320. From what I can see, there are grooves in the
strut where an o-ring needs to be snapped in place so the spring plate will stay in place firmly. I have no idea on which groove I have to install the o-ring/spring plate, and it looks like the whole weight of the
car will rest on that small spring plate. My springs will be replaced too, with Bilsteins OEM.
Can someone who has done this upgrade chime in, please? The instructions state that I should measure the old strut length and adjust accordingly, but they are shot and barely holding air...
Also, it looks like the Sachs that is in place right now has a beefier spring plate than the Bilstein. Not sure if that is going to be a problem.

Thank you!

Did this exact upgrade on the exact vehicle, from the photos it looks like I used the 7th notch. Also replaced the springs and shock top mount when I did the shocks made sure they were the CDI model. The only thing I could not find when doing this was the rubber isolator/bushing between the shock and the mount, so I Just reused the old one.
I also used the old shield plate on the new shocks, later upon googling that was the right thing to do make sure you swap that over. The picture with the shock on the blanket is what I am talking about.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...87179c25c6.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...12d7e3164a.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b9e1a9fd1e.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...10f6dab089.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...ed7b8eab8b.jpg

Jeff, great answer, thank you! And pics are extremely helpful. You have no idea how hard I have looked....I was going to experiment with all the settings.
I have new strut top mounts and rubber shims, but I do not see anything that goes between the spring perch and the spring itself. The new Bilstein springs have a bit of rubber/plastic insulation on their end, will try to post a pic.

Thanks again!

Ion

I get it now... So I have to use the old shield plate that is already on the car. Mystery solved. Thanks again !

Yeah not sure the technical term for the shock shield plate but you will notice it, fits right over the metal o-ring on the Bilstien shocks. In all the these shocks are awesome, no complaints.

Hello, Jeff

Got the shocks replaced, finally, and installed new springs too. The height in the front is now at least 2" higher than before.
I had the shocks set to exact notches as you had them. Wonder if I did anything wrong?
Did you run into this issue? I will try to post pics asap.

Thank you,

Ion

Probably just needs a couple days to settle. Also in the end it might be a little higher as the newer coils are suppose to be superior to the old ones and, if you have the original coils and shocks they were probably really warn and sagging. I never really noticed on mine from a before and after seems fine on height/level setup.

You need to adjust the struts down using the rings. My Sachs shocks had the ring and everything ready to go.
Holy crap thats a lot of wasted surface area on that tiny brake rotor.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...f421dc4b53.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b5390c6cbd.jpg
I am afraid you're right. I have followed the pics above, and my shocks came with the same circlip setting. The car is almost 3" higher than before. Trying to get some pics today.

There are different part numbers for front (24-069052) and rear (24-069069) - probably you mixed them up (?)

If the bolts are tightened before the car is lowered down, the suspension may brace, and this also could result in a higher setting.

I hear you, but please bear in mind that the rear strut is different in design versus the front one, which is a fork type. So no way this could have happened. As far as suspension goes,
there is only the bolt on the stabilizer link and the shock itself that are being removed, nothing else is removed or needs to be loosened.

Well, about to start taking the struts off and adjusting the circlips....
Unless there is a chance that they will settle over time?
Looks like double work at this point. I am so over needless mechanics.....

Figure out how much you want to lower the front end and reduce the circlip height by 1/2 that height.

Will do.
Thanks!

Ok, got some photos. Both the front and rear are the approximate 2 inch mark from the tires. I didn't do anything special when I installed them. The only thing I can think of is maybe Bilsten changed the shocks or updated them so they need to be at a different notch.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...0913946bf6.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...753daf5fd3.jpg

I see. Thank you for your quick reply, Jeff. Something's off with mine, I was hoping it does not come to compress the springs again and re-adjust. BTW, I will be moving to Nevada shortly, looks like. Gotta buy you a few beers, you've been helping me a lot.

No problem that is what is it about, hopefully it just settles.

Sorry, was a weird idea... But have you compared the part numbers (24-069052 for front)?

This number ist also on one of CDIJeff´s fotos, and struts with the same number shouldn´t be different at all...
Of course the coil springs he used are available in different lenghts, for Classic (longer) and Avantgarde (shorter) models - maybe that makes the difference.

Latest news: adjusting the circlip to the lowest setting did NOTHING! I just put everything back.
Everything is just like in Jeff's pics, except my springs are Bilstein.
Thoughts? maybe I should let it settle on its own another few weeks?

Did u drive it to let the suspension settle? Take a pic after driving it.

I did, for about 20 miles. I gotta take pics tomorrow, it is night time already. It looks a bit lower than yesterday, but maybe it's just an illusion.

Did you only change out the shocks and springs or have suspension parts also been removed and reinstalled? Or loosened and tightened again?

If the suspension arms with their roller bearings were torqued to the frame in a lifted position the car would also sit too high.

Have you done this? The issue that the person describes in thread seems similar to yours and it appears to have been fixed. I too am wanting to do the Bilstein Shocks with Eibach Springs in the future and want to figure this out.

See that AUTOdidact mentioned what I said above already. So not sure if that is of any help or not then.

The suspension parts were loosened while the car was on the ramps. Only after that I did tighten them up. I will have a local shop drop it down to the first groove, and hope that it will settle. As a second note, parts installed were as following:
Shocks - E320 Bilstein B6 Performance Series Shocks and Struts 24-069052 .
Springs - BIL-36226153 - manufacturer PN 2113211504 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Coil Spring Position: Front, DIESEL; w/o sport suspension; w/o air suspension
I did check the tags and paperwork on all parts, and they matched. Hope the first groove is the right setting, I am tired of crawling under the car. It's still full winter here, and the garage is never too warm.

No suspension arms were replaced at this time. Car was lowered onto ramps and then everything was torqued to specs.

I want to thank everyone that pitched in with advice, I appreciate your help. Many thanks! Will keep you posted.