Are shocks "sided"

[ackee911]

Been offered a very cheap shock absorber for my w220.
Only thing is, my offside is leaking, and it came off the nearside on another car.
Will it still fit, or are they sided?

Hasty replys please, as it is due to have a re-con one put on early this week, so if the s/h one will fit, then I need to tell the garage to STOP!

Price difference is over £400 so no, I don't think it'll be better to put on a re-con one!

(Front shocks)

 

[ukcodger]

I don't know if the front shocks are handed or not. I wouldn't have thought so. Anyone with specific Merc S Class knowledge?
I do know however that in general shocks should be replaced in pairs to keep the damping characteristics even across the car.
I would fit a single secondhand unit only if I knew it's milage to be similar to my leaking one. A single re-con unit is even more problematic. That might not cheer you up at all, sorry. Maybe somone else has more useful advice.

 

[kth286]

You need to post the full VIN to get the proper answer but looking at the russian site it shows hydropneumatic struts to be handed on some models.

 

[ackee911]

You need to post the full VIN to get the proper answer but looking at the russian site it shows hydropneumatic struts to be handed on some models.

Hi, this is what I got:

VINModelS 500ChassisEngineTransmissionOrder0 9 513 23405Heating53700LightsBOSCHCab00000Delivery date27.03.00DealerBelgium (513) Interiorleather black (231) Paint744brilliant silver metallic (с 1991)Options205owner's manual and maintenance booklet 2) (с 01.11.1971)
reference plate, coolant 2)
220parking aid (с 01.10.1993)
223rear seat backrest and headrests, electrically adjustable (с 01.07.1991)
247electric seat adjustment (front passenger seat) - additionally adjustable from the rear. (с 01.10.1989)
249automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (с 01.06.1990)
275front seat positioned lower
memory package (driver's seat, steering column, mirror) (с 01.10.1993)
284trunk set, 5-piece
wood selector lever
shift lever in wood/leather combination (с 01.01.1990)
289wooden/leather steering wheel (dia. 390 mm)
wood-/leather steering wheel (ш 390mm) and leather gearshift (с 01.02.1993)
multiple contour backrest for right rear single seat
317mobile phone, fully integrated in centre console (с 31.10.1996)
352operation and monitoring system comand (navigation + radio/cassette) (с 01.09.1996)
414electric tilting/sliding roof in glass version (с 01.10.1988)
461instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
540roller blind, electric, for rear window (с 01.05.1985)
551anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
596heat-insulating and infrared reflecting safety glass, all-around (с 01.05.1996)
600headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
617headlamps and fog lamps or additional high beam light, amber, and additional halogen fog lamp (from april 1st, 1970); additional turn signal lamps for italy, and rear turn signal lamps, orange
xenon headlight asymmetric, left driving traffic (с 01.03.1994)
6465-hole light alloy wheels (с 01.06.1995)
light alloy wheels 7-holes 7 x 16
673high-capacity battery (с 01.01.1964)
731wood trim, burred walnut root (с 01.08.1980)
800Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
819CD changer - alpine - in trunk (с 31.07.1992)
872electric seat heater for rear seat bench, left and right (с 01.10.1972)
873seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)
882passenger compartment protection/towing-off protection (with anti-theft warning system only) (с 01.07.1993)
883closed aid for doors and trunk lid (с 01.07.1989)
984elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)
230AUnknown code


Can anyone tell me if it is handed/sided?

 

[nick mercedes]

Been offered a very cheap shock absorber for my w220.
Only thing is, my offside is leaking, and it came off the nearside on another car.
Will it still fit, or are they sided?

Hasty replys please, as it is due to have a re-con one put on early this week, so if the s/h one will fit, then I need to tell the garage to STOP!

Price difference is over £400 so no, I don't think it'll be better to put on a re-con one!

(Front shocks)

Air or ABC shocks?

 

[ackee911]

Air or ABC shocks?

Air

 

[pupsi]

Phone mercedes and ask them?

If its got the same part number as the other side then shouldnt be sided.

Double check by asking them though.

 

[lynall]

Have a look here very useful site http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb0.asp?TP=1



Lynall

 

[kth286]

ackee911

Yes you missed the point - we need to type the VIN into the parts search engine, so the full VIN from the windscreen is needed.

OR you can type it in yourself into the russian site if you are an untrusting sort of person.

 

[stats007]

Shouldn't they be replaced in pairs anyway?

 

[whitenemesis]

Shouldn't they be replaced in pairs anyway?

Good point!

 

[BlackC55]

It is not the best idea to fit a second hand airmatic strut. They have to be stored correctly otherwise the seals inside can get damaged.

You may find that you are wasting you time fitting it.

I am not sure if they are sided.

 

[ackee911]

Got my answer from lynall's link-thanks for that.

As for s/h/do them in pairs etc etc

I said: Price difference is over £400 so no, I don't think it'll be better to put on a re-con one!

I'm only putting it on for a short period, as the shocks are MUCH MUCH cheaper in America-works out like £650 for two re-con ones with lifetime warranty. Trouble is postage is so high, I am waiting until a family member/friend goes there so they can (maybe) bring them back. The price of ONE re-con shock here is £550 plus postage.

Anyway, case closed. Thanks for your replies.

 

[whitenemesis]

Got my answer from lynall's link-thanks for that.

As for s/h/do them in pairs etc etc

I said: Price difference is over £400 so no, I don't think it'll be better to put on a re-con one!

I'm only putting it on for a short period, as the shocks are MUCH MUCH cheaper in America-works out like £650 for two re-con ones with lifetime warranty. Trouble is postage is so high, I am waiting until a family member/friend goes there so they can (maybe) bring them back. The price of ONE re-con shock here is £550 plus postage.

Anyway, case closed. Thanks for your replies.

I hope they travel light!!