M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Is there any adjustability in the stock shock units at all?

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Old 03-27-2009 | 07:57 AM
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ouroboros's Avatar
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986 04 SE
Is there any adjustability in the stock shock units at all?

Hi Guys,

Looking to put some 21' rims on my non air suspension ML. I think it will fill the arches out a little more, but the car will still not be as low as I want - I only use the car onroad so as low as possible is my real requirement.

Is there any adjustability in the stock shock units at all?

I don't really want to go the route of aftermarket springs so even a few cm would be good enough.
Old 03-27-2009 | 09:10 AM
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ML320CDI 2008 all options inc air suspension
Shocks dont lower height, they only control the rebound rate of the springs. Any lowering must be done by other means. Having said that, if you lower ...or raise a vehicle any significant amount you need to go to either shorter or longer shock body length. A quick call to an offroad truck specialist can explain the details better than I. The pricniples are the same for any vehicle.

Last edited by Vernl; 03-27-2009 at 04:03 PM.
Old 03-27-2009 | 04:39 PM
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So it's springs or nothing then..?
But is there any adjustment for the spring fastenings?
Old 03-27-2009 | 04:56 PM
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
If your ML has the Airmatic suspension, technically you can lower it just a bit...

I beleive that there are links that connect the suspension to sensors that tell the Airmatic that it is sitting at the correct ride height... One at each corner...

Technically if you replace these sensor links with something longer, the Airmatic will think it is riding at the standard height when in fact it will be lower (depending on how much longer the links are)

That might be one potential way to do it.
Old 03-27-2009 | 05:07 PM
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ML320CDI 2008 all options inc air suspension
Originally Posted by ouroboros
So it's springs or nothing then..?
But is there any adjustment for the spring fastenings?
As the last poster said...if you had air suspension, you might be able to lose a bit..but since you don't thats off the table. There are aftermarket suppliers to sell you lowering kits but be prepared to pay serious coin and I hear stories of lousy handling after the geometry is changed. Spring position is Non adjustable
Old 03-30-2009 | 11:40 PM
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2008 ML550
lol cut the springs ?

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