Installed rear shocks on my W123 today!

[redassag00]

I got my Bilsteins in last week and had a chance to work on Rag Doll this afternoon before the game.

Put her on jackstands and it was a VERY simple operation. Removal of the rear seat was a little confusing, but opening the armrest partially revealed the last screw.

Lifted up carefully on the rear seatback and she came right off, access covers open and remved the 2 nuts on each side that held the shocks on from the top. After the first nut, I have a 'tool' that holds the stock itself still while I turned the 17MM retaining nut, and removed it. I had already removed the bottom 17 MM bolts, and out came the old units. Both I assume are OE units, still stamped with 123 and the rest of the part number on them, as well as Bilstein. I used a screwdirver from the inside of the car to drop the lower bushing that sticks to the body, and prepared to install the new unit.

I installed new hardware and bushings and aligned them with the hole on top, and with the help of a floor jack, held the shock in place while I bolted her on in and torqued em down. Secured the tops and reinstalled the nifty access covers.

Old shocks still had spring action but no resistance whatsoever. The new units feel GREAT. Took her out for a ride and the rear end no longer 'swings' side to side over 60 MPH, also, there's no more 'walking' over washboard pavements!

I look back at her 6 months ago when I brought her home, and I wonder how I made it home without dieing in a firey crash. THis car feels so much more stable now than it did 6 months ago, with over 4" of play in the wheel, bent right side tie rod, worn out tie rod ends, clapped out upper control arms, worn idler bushings, busted steering stabilizer and a worn out, mal adjusted steering box, and many mechanical items I addressed (filters, banjo bolts, ALDA etc). Each little repair I do makes the car drive closer and closer to what a benz is supposed to drive like. I drove my moms 420SEL the other day, and I was suprised and how smooth it drove and rode compared to my car. I know its not fair W123 vs W126, but I guess all mercedes have a certain 'feel' to make sure you know that what you are driving, is indeed a Mercedes Benz. Today, after the new rear shocks, the ride is more Mercedes esque than ever.


Only things left to really look at suspension wise are lower ball joints and lower control arm bushings, the box still has play in it and I dont think I should adjust any more, theres not much more to adjust. Theres still 2" of play in the wheel, but its stable enough for me to commute to work on the small roads daily. Maybe front shocks at some point, but rides good right now and the shocks look okay, and pass the bounce test. Will probably end up replacing them this summer anyway, damn OCD. LOL.

Whats next? A new windsheild and seal, and then paint! AC work to fall in there somewhere. (Larry Bible, can you answer my PM? )

Has anyone noticed theres no upper shock boot? Is there any concern about dirt etc getting on the upper shock shaft? I imagine the OE ones lasted 23 years, so perhaps no?

Thanks for a great site, and all the help here! Rag Doll wont be rag doll much longer!!!