W124 front shock replacement - any tips?

[DriftworksJames]

I'm going to change the front shocks on my W124 260E as the existing ones are very tired. Not certain if I need to do the rears, so I'll replace the fronts and see how I get on.
I'm fairly handy with a spanner or 2 but just wnated to know if there are any pitfalls I should be wary of.
From an initial glance, it would seem the job is essentially:

jack up
take wheel off
undo bolts at top and bottom of old shock
retract damper and take off car
fit new one and extend to reach the top mount
do bolts back up
put wheel on
drop car back on floor

am I kidding myself or it it actually that easy? I'm used to needing spring compressors for this kind of job, but it seems I can do this job without touching the springs.......

thanks in advance,
James

 

[william silver]

front shockers

Only buy new MB parts from a dealer as the dealer will match the chassis no. of your car to the ex-factory spec. i.e. car weight, ride height will be as new. GSF and Euro might not do this.
Fit new top mounts as well.

 

[eddie_E]

Only buy new MB parts from a dealer as the dealer will match the chassis no. of your car to the ex-factory spec. i.e. car weight, ride height will be as new. GSF and Euro might not do this.
Fit new top mounts as well.

Another dealer on here? Yeah buy the same shock from merc, why not? its only twice the price (guess, but bet i'm not far off!) and you get to sample the joys of the merc parts dept attitude. Just remember to take all sharp objects out of your pockets before you go!

 

[andy_k]

Another dealer on here? Yeah buy the same shock from merc, why not? its only twice the price (guess, but bet i'm not far off!) and you get to sample the joys of the merc parts dept attitude. Just remember to take all sharp objects out of your pockets before you go!

dunno which Merc parts department you go to ....

The one I use is one where they have nearly always got coffee on standby and fit any minor parts (bulbs etc) for free whilst you wait. The prices are not that much different from those quoted by europarts (in some cases a whole lot cheaper) when you take into consideration postage and VAT are not included on the ECP price list till you get to checkout.

MB parts are guaranteed to fit, usually in stock within a couple of days and easily replaced if the wrong part is accidentally supplied - They get my vote

Andy

 

[DriftworksJames]

main dealer....... for a new car maybe, but my merc (1988 and worth about a grand) is a cheap runabout mostly for long journeys so although I intend to do ensure it's safe and reliable, I am running it on a tight budget.
If the cheaper shocks aren't exactly perfect for the model, at least they will be 100 times better/safer than the completely worn out ones I have on there now
If the top mounts are worn or noisy during/after the job then I'll change them, but again, I won't be spending money just in case it needs doing. If the job is as easy as it looks, I can always do them at a later date

anyone care to comment on how realistic my estimation of the job is?

 

[grober]

strut removal/ball joint change article

Hi Eddie, here is a web site article with pictures from another forum describing changing a lower ball joint on a 124 in which the front strut is removed without a spring compressor. Hope this is of help. Exercise great care as the article stresses!!!! http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W124BallJoint

 

[DriftworksJames]

just for reference, it's £105 inc vat for the pair from KMS or £157 from the main dealer

 

[andy_k]

just for reference, it's £105 inc vat for the pair from KMS or £157 from the main dealer

see if the dealer will give you a discount as you own an "older car" - they can go up to 25% if they are feeling generous. When they've done that ask for "trade" as well (another 15%) - you can soon print a quick letter heading if they ask for one

It's not just owners of newer cars that buy parts from the dealers - mine is only a year younger than yours but it's fair to warn you tha not all dealers charge the same price - MB give minimum and maximum prices and it's up to the dealers what to charge within those guidelines.

Andy

 

[Ian B Walker]

Andy, didnt know you lived in Blackpool

The one I use is one where they have nearly always got coffee on standby and fit any minor parts (bulbs etc) for free whilst you wait.

The only advice I can offer is be extremley careful when lowering the suspention without a spring compressor attached. If the spring pops out you are in real danger of doing damage to, not only the car, but yourself. They come out at warp factor 15.

<edit> just noticed that you live in Birmingham, speak to Jimmy, I believe he has the Merc Spring Compressor.

 

[eddie_E]

Well andy_K you are lucky to get the quality of service you do. It might be my age that make the dealer go all snooty but then my sister and brother in law (10 years my senior) bought new mercedes (A-class and a ML) and they don't enjoy the level of service you describe either. It may well be worth my while to drive my merc to Bexhill just to sample what your enjoying over that way, but then why should I?

If the cheaper shocks aren't exactly perfect for the model, at least they will be 100 times better/safer than the completely worn out ones I have on there now

There is absloutly no reason why the shocks you get would not be exaclty correct for your car. I have full confidence in motorfactors, most of the time they supply OEM stuff anyway or if not better. But if the main dealer was the cheapest place to get them then thats where i'd go!

 

[andy_k]

I agree there's no reason why decent quality aftermarket shocks won't be absolutely perfect for the job.

I don't think it's an age thing with your local MB parts guys it's just that some dealerships are better staffed than others in much the same way that customer service varies from one branch of Tescos to another

Don't go to Bexhill in search of a dealer - it's MB Eastbourne you need. Decent MB parts service and a day at the seaside - who needs any more reasons?

Andy

 

[Will]

I wish people would stop 'bashing' the main dealer parts so much. I seriously think that many people who are used to paying over the odds automatically discount the main dealer on the assumption of the parts being more expensive and the service being bad.

Truth be told, as I have mentioned in the past, as parts service goes I am more than happy.

I've been put of some of the 'Harry's Motor Factors' type shops after German + Swedish (or GSF?) tried to sell me timing components for an 8v 102 engine to fit my 2.3-16 Cosworth.

What was more frustrating was the 'I work in a parts shop, I know what I am on about' type attitude. I tried explaining to the misguided assistant that the car I had was a 2.3-16. He said that I was wrong, and either tried to flog me parts for a 2.0 190E (8v) or a 2.3 8v W124!

Sometimes I value the reassurance of proper OEM parts more than the price. It's often not until you have the car stripped down that you realise you have got the wrong bits, or at worst, when something goes wrong...

Not saying all aftermarket or pattern parts are a bad idea, just 90% of the time I am happier with OEM.

Just personal, real-world experience.

Will

 

[willy]

MB shocks are made by either SACH or BILSTIEN, there is no real difference between the originals shocks.

There is no need to touch the springs but you need to have a trolley jack underneith the springs to keep them in place. I also used a normal set of
spring compressors to keep them in place just incase something slips as the springs can kill.

Also use 6 sided sockets (impact shocket) as you are less likely to round the bolts.

 

[DriftworksJames]

thanks again guys.
I'll heed your warnings and wack some spring compressors on while I do the job just in case. I really don't fancy a swift uppercut from a 2kg piece of metal.... imagine the mess my face would make as it exploded all up the side of the car. I'd take ages to buff that out...

It almost seems a shame not to stick a set of sports springs on while I'm at it, but although I'd love to it's not really in keeping with my 'budget runabout' plan...

thanks for the link Grober

 

[andy_k]

please don't try and use "regular" spring compressors on a W124 front spring - you are safer with no compressor than one of the ones that clamps the outside of the springs.

There is a special tool for this job (made by Klann). The front springs are very heavily compresssed and their removal is not a job for the faint hearted.

As Ian metioned, Jimmy one of the members here has the genuine tool which I think he will hire out to club members

Andy
Andy

 

[Dieselman]

If you run the car up onto ramps you should be able to remove the dampers without undoing anything else, and also the spring cant come out as the weight of the car will hold it in place.

 

[DriftworksJames]

If you run the car up onto ramps you should be able to remove the dampers without undoing anything else, and also the spring cant come out as the weight of the car will hold it in place.

now that sir, sounds like an excellent plan

 

[eddie_E]

I wish people would stop 'bashing' the main dealer parts so much. I seriously think that many people who are used to paying over the odds automatically discount the main dealer on the assumption of the parts being more expensive and the service being bad.
Sometimes I value the reassurance of proper OEM parts more than the price. It's often not until you have the car stripped down that you realise you have got the wrong bits, or at worst, when something goes wrong...
Not saying all aftermarket or pattern parts are a bad idea, just 90% of the time I am happier with OEM.

Just personal, real-world experience.

Will

Thats what these forums are for tho - is it not? Where ever possible I will try to inform people the price i personally have paid for parts and where i got them and the quality of them. If you know for instance that I bought A OEM Bilstein belt tensioner damper, part No xxx from X for £X amount, and at Merc they charge £X amount and you were looking to do the same job then i have saved you alot of phoning around and hassle and you know exaclty what you can get for your money. Just sharing knowledgem which can only be a good thing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dieselman
If you run the car up onto ramps you should be able to remove the dampers without undoing anything else, and also the spring cant come out as the weight of the car will hold it in place.


now that sir, sounds like an excellent plan

If a very scary one! Being an auto its very easy to drive straight up and over the ramps. Be careful!

 

[upo]

If you havent bought your shocks yet, I have a complete set of front & rear shocks with springs for 1991 300E-24 that came off the car when new to have sportline suspension fitted, dont know if they are of any use, but they are just sitting there in the garage. If you (or anyone else) has an interest, make me a sensible offer??