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  #16  
Old 01-08-2008, 07:33 PM
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My Konis had a lifetime warranty, not sure about the Bilsteins. You don't just need good shocks, you need a good warranty also.

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  #17  
Old 01-09-2008, 08:59 PM
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a little ...

embarrassed. The shock that failed on my durango is because the boot on the CV joint had slipped off and actually rubbed through the body of the shock.
At least there was a reason for the failure!

Now, I had to replace the entire CV axle because the bearing had play. Oh well I'm just glad I found the source of the problem. And by the way, the axle and shock both have lifetime warranties.
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  #18  
Old 01-09-2008, 09:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newguy View Post
I guess that means I either have to keep replacing them (free but takes a lot of time if it's 2 to 3 times a year), or buy the most expensive ones and hope they don't die.
That about sums it up.
Spend some money on quality shocks, or buy the less expensive ones and keep replacing them.
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  #19  
Old 01-09-2008, 11:58 PM
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Put KYBs on my '72 W114 250 many years ago. Rode very stiff, but I put up with them until eventually the fronts loosened where the hollow sleeves connected the shock's rubber bushings to the bottom mounting plates, then started knocking. I replaced the fronts with Bilstiens.

Several years later, I put KYBs on a friends '87 300SE. Those also rode stiff, but he liked that and shocks were still intact when he finaly got rid of the car several years later.

The factory shocks on my '87 Isuzu Pickup were actually non-gas KYBs and I installed gas versions of the same shocks. Those gas KYBs worked just fine on that vehicle.

Today, I'd go with Bilsteins on a Benz.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #20  
Old 01-10-2008, 01:35 AM
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Years ago, I installed KYBs on my father's '74 240D because they were readily available & a whole lot cheaper. This may be soon after they started appearing in the States - was early 80s.

He hated them, one failed early, and he replaced them with Bilsteins.
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  #21  
Old 01-10-2008, 01:14 PM
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I put one KYB on the right front of my SD to try and fix a clunk that was pissing me off, well it didn't. OMFG what a POS, the car had probably 10 year old Bilsteins on it and I felt that one KYB. It was like I removed the shock on the corner and installed a block of wood! I removed the KYB and put the 10 year old Bilstien on after a few weeks.


I wouldn't waste my time with anything other then Bilsteins or maybe Sach's on a MB. They don't cost that much more, don't be cheap. I paid $30 for that KYB at Autozoo, I know you can get Bilsteins for $60 each.
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  #22  
Old 01-10-2008, 02:56 PM
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For Mercedes, Bilstein, or Sachs, Boge if you can find them. I put Boges on an old Audi years ago and they were great, but when the rears went, and I tried to get more Boges, they were NLA!
Unfortunately, many places seem to want over $100 each for Bilsteins.
I just called a major DC area import parts retailer and they want almost $150 each for Bilsteins for my '82 240D, plus $5 each for shipping, as they're special order.
They do stock the KYBs, but want more than $60 each for those!
Which is why many, including myself, have 'experimented' with the KYBs

Happy Motoring, Mark
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Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 01-10-2008 at 06:54 PM.
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  #23  
Old 01-10-2008, 08:07 PM
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you Can get Bil's for about $60/ ea, if you shop around. I paid about that last fall.
they are lifetime warranty, too.
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  #24  
Old 01-10-2008, 08:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mobetta View Post
you Can get Bil's for about $60/ ea, if you shop around. I paid about that last fall.
they are lifetime warranty, too.
I know, but the average person, unused to internet auto-parts hunting, might not. I think I paid about $70 locally for the Bilsteins that replaced the defective front KYBs on my 250 sedan.

Fastlane has my 240D Bilstein Comforts for $63 - $64. Interestingly, they also stock a KYB, for $67!

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #25  
Old 04-11-2010, 10:07 PM
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Ahhhh, my '82 240D rides so nice now.
I just replaced the rusty front KYBs with a set of Bilsteins. Got the pair for $80 from a friend that sold his 300CD before he had a chance to install them.
Gone is the pounding ride. And the Bilsteins came with shiny new Loctite-coated LCA mounting-bolts, which was great as my old bolts were probably original and very rusty. I might still try KYBs on something like my Isuzu pickup, but not on any Benz if I can help it.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #26  
Old 04-11-2010, 10:33 PM
Craig
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I prefer the HD Bilsteins on my W123s, but I usually drive on decent highways.
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  #27  
Old 04-12-2010, 12:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig View Post
I prefer the HD Bilsteins on my W123s, but I usually drive on decent highways.
When I acquired this 240D last year, the car seemed to ride very soft, but the car came with a set of very old, oversized and underinflated Firestones. After I installed a new set of Michelin-X tires, I immediately noticed a very stiff ride, much like the ride of my other friend's '87 300SE after he installed KYBs.
The friend I got the Bilsteins from found them on eBay.
I tried to identify them by the numbers, but they didn't match any sold by PeachParts, and there's no designation of 'HD' or 'Comfort' on the box. There is a Bilstein part # F4-B36-0703-HO, and another sticker pasted over that reads 123 320 00 30 SB-17.
In any case, I'm satisfied.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 04-12-2010 at 09:34 AM.
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