mbtjc
No as long as the center shaft does not rotate you don't have to worry about the shock comming apart. I have the 560 SL. The Mercedes shocks do not have a screwdriver slot in the center shaft, therefore I did it by using a small adjustable wrench to hold the shaft and a 17MM open end wrench to loosen/tighten the first nut. To tighten the second locking nut I have one 17MM open end wrench that I ground down on a grinding wheel so it will fit under the second 17MM wrench that tightens the top nut.
The area around the shock in the 560 SL is pretty crowded so getting the wrenches to work and all is just a pain. This tool will make the job easier. As I said, now that the 2 cars that have shocks have had the units replaced in the last month. I probably wont need the tool for a couple of years.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car