Tone357

I'm about to replace the front shocks on my 97 S500 Coupe. Being a do it yourselfer, (when possible) I "think" I can do this job myself, and save on the dealer charges. Any of you guy's ever done this job? Is there more to it other than bolting on and bolting on?

lesko

this might help...
http://www.baxnet.com/merc/frontshocks/story.htm



lesko

Tone357

Thank you so much! I couldn't received better info than that!

Rod Spohn

I have been trying to figure out a shimmy at 45-60 mph for a long time tires rebalanced (several times) Front end allignment etc. No one ever even sugjested shocks. They seem fine but I think I'll change them just to see if that does the trick. Thanks

Drive on

Rod Spohn

lesko, Awesome step by step. maybe took 1.5 hours to do the front. DO you have anything like that for the rear? Are they as easy?
I haven't had the chance to get it out on the HWY to see if it fixed/helped the shimmy, but couldn't hurt. I've put over 40k on since buying this car and so I'm sure it was time to change anyway.
Thanks again

Drive on

Hattaresguy

The shimmy is probably those fluid filled LCA bushings.

dlafever

Front end shimmy can come from many places on these cars;

- Shocks
- Steering Dampener
- LCA bushings
- Ball joints
- Tie Rods
- Wheel out of balance
- Wheel out of true or bent (but balanced)

It is tough to build a 2 1/2 ton car with decent road feel and not pay a price.

At 100k miles, shocks need to be replaced IMHO.

The steering dampener is easliy checked and only requires removal of two bolts. Also relatively cheap to replace.

LCA bushings and ball joints are somewhat more challenging because they require removal of the springs. I would never attempt to remove the springs without a good quality disc-type spring compressor.

Tie rods are usually easy, provided you have a good seperator.

-D

Rod Spohn

D, I have replaced or checked everything except the LCA bushing. Is there a way to check this? I still need to find a repair manual, I bought 2 CD versions off ebay ( niether worked ). Did you ever get your new wheels?
Rod

- Shocks
- Steering Dampener
- LCA bushings
- Ball joints
- Tie Rods
- Wheel out of balance
- Wheel out of true or bent (but balanced)

lesko

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner but I just made a move to Tampa Fl from Arizona and finaly had a chance to use the computer...Here is a 2nd link that might help you...
http://v12uberalles.com/Rear_Struts.htm

lesko

Rod Spohn

Thanks for the link.I don't have the struts but the benworld link got me to a picture type discription that was like the one you gave for the front. The rear are almost the same , should be easy. As always you guys are awesome help.

Drive on