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So, I have new(ish) airbags...now a shock has a thunk. It is about $100 or so each for OE shocks. Now, how much of a PITA am I getting myself into?????
NOT an AMG car, this is a regular ol W212 Wagon (3.5)
So, I have new(ish) airbags...now a shock has a thunk. It is about $100 or so each for OE shocks. Now, how much of a PITA am I getting myself into?????
NOT an AMG car, this is a regular ol W212 Wagon (3.5)
easy. As long as you can compress the shock by hand you are fine. On the new shock if it comes compressed, don’t cut the plastic that’s keeping it compressed until you have it nearly in place because it’s much harder to impress that new shock.. there’s a bunch of videos online and the wagon isn’t anything special except for the placement of the bolts in the rear panels. Make sure the car is asleep.
Shocks or damper is easy to do.
But you must remove your trunk liner to access the two bolts for top mount.
Me I hate interior plastic removal.
Genuine shock is not US$100 each from MB, no way that cheap. If aftermarket, get Bilstein B4 family.
Wagon if I recalled, has a bit different length for its damper compared to 4 door sedan. I could be wrong. You must check properly.
I hope you get the bump stop with the damper.
New Kayaba bump stop and boot for rear damper. This is Bilstein B6. Now I am back on B4.
My original MB bump stop in red, the short yellow is unknown el-cheapo bump stop I got locally, very bad ones.
A little muscle power needed to shorten the damper a bit while removing and installing.
Your must also have the proper tool :
The damper piston nut needs the special hex tool so that the middle of it you can insert the allan tool if not Torx. Bilstein uses Allan tool
Something like this : https://www.toptul.com/en/product-54...-Tool-Kit.html
I DIY one for rear and one for the front based on the same concept.
Bilstein B4 for the rear
Bilstein uses M17 hex nut. I don't know the original SACHS on my car, what nut size it uses, because it was my indie who first installed the Bilstein B4 and removed the SACHS.
Front and rear damper nut "special" tools. M21 is for front, it is a spark plug socket.
Here is from Bilstein
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Yes, all my damper are properly torqued to MB spec.
Thank you for the detail...this is all for the car that GAINESVILLE FLORIDA MERCEDES KILLED doing a recall airbag replacement. I will get that figured out to. Next time I think I have to look at this car is sometime in Jan as I have a busy week, year end...going to Sint Maarten for a bit....yeah...struggles.
But, yes I was going to just get the bilstiens. Was checkign the mounts/bump stops. Oddly, the shocks on Amazon are the same price as the rest of the world (minus shipping). I would never ever trust an Amazon or after market mount or stop.
Rear damper top mount if original MB, they do not sell stand alone.
They sell complete with damper.
I have issue with rear damper top mount made by Lemforder./SACHS.
If you can get a machine shop to make it flat and proper, get the Lemforder/SACHS one, as you got no choice.
I put a set of Bilstein B6 shocks int he rear, and couldnt be happier. Wagon shocks are several inches shorter than those for a sedan or coupe.
Stock wagon rear shocks compared to KW V3s for a sedan:
Couple things to think about. You have to take the trunk carpet/trim out of he back to access the nuts on the top of the shock mount. Not a big deal, but takes a few minutes. Once you get everything out I highly recommend replacing the upper mount as those can wear out and get a little sloppy. While they are technically not available for the e350, you can order replacements for other models that fit.
I replaced my W204 rear shocks last year. Old ones looked rusty and beat, car had around 150,000 miles. I found a used set on ebay with 40,000 miles for less than $100.
Install was pretty easy. To pull the carpet away in the trunk I ended up destroying the plastic fasteners so glad i had bought new ones to use.
To compress the old shock for removal I used a pry bar which made it easier. Once installed i lowered the car down on my wooden ramps to crawl under to torque everything.
Since the replacement shocks came extended I played around with compressing them. One I used string the other I used a bunch of zip ties.
I noticed I couldnt find a new Mercedes bellows for the shocks, guess its discontinued. So I removed the bellows on the old shocks, cleaned them up and sold them on ebay for a few bucks. Zipped the nut off easily with an impact wrench.
Heres the fasteners i bought. Not sure if they are the same for W212.
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