One of my front struts is leaking on my 124. It looks like if I replace it I'll mess up the alignment and need to get it realigned when I'm done. Is there a trick I can do to avoid needing realignment or am I misjudging this job and is realignment not necessary after front strut replacement?

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

As far s I can remember this is more of a shock then a strut. I do not believe that it would have any impact at all on the front end. Just remove and replace

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1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

Your car has shock absorbers, not struts.
You should replace both front shocks, preferably with Bilsteins. Keep the receipt, they are guaranteed for life.

Replacing both will assure that there is an equal amount of suspension on both sides. This job does not require a spring compressor, and is detailed here by several others, including myself.

A leaky shock on one side will cause a greater degree of misalignment than replacing both shocks.

If you call around, you can probably get this aligned by someone with computerized equipment for around $50. Lots of people will be happy to do it for $70-$100, as it takes about half an hour and requires no parts. Ask about "total cost" I had an idjit stick me for "shop fees". He used nothing more than hand soap, and did not tell me when he quoted the job on the phone. I won't darken his door again.

If your car tracks straight and true, the alignment is safe, but it can still chew up your tires. In the long run, a good alignment once a year costs less than replacing tires and shocks.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

The shocks have no impact on alighnment. Bilsteins are also the best way to go, shop around and you can find them at a great price.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks. I put Bilsteins on my 123 and have been very happy with them. Seems like the obvious thing to do here. Thanks again.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

Check the condition of the top strut mount -- if there are cracks in the rubber, replace them when you do the struts. If you do, yes, you require a front end alignment, otherwise replacing the struts alone will not require one unless you feel it drives funny after replacement.

The W124 chassis DOES have struts, but the springs are not installed over them.

CAUTION!!!! you MUST either compress the spring with a spring compressor OR support the weight of the car by lowering the lower control arm onto a jack stand BEFORE removing the strut!!! Once the strut is loose, if the lower control arm is free, it will swing down too far and release the spring, this can cause a FATAL accident......

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!