New shocks and man, what a ride!!

[Knightrider966]

New shocks installed yesterday and what a difference on just the front!
I found a set of Gabriels for about $22 each after the rebate at Autozoo and even though I don't go there much because of all the chinese crap they sell, these were made in Mexico. Bigger pistons and valves and a metal upper tower shield and better gas charge pressure. I don't know how the new bilsteins are, but they weren't available around here without waiting for a week and I needed them now. Gabriel was my first choice for servicing fleet vehicles in Seattle and they held up well! Suprised they were on the shelf and in stock! Monroe makes a good shock as well for the W123.

Just curious what others have used and how you like them.

Bilstein HDs on both mine, I wouldn't use anything else.

[Stevo]

Originally Posted by Craig

Bilstein HDs on both mine, I wouldn't use anything else.

Dito

[Knightrider966]

I would have preferred Bilsteins, but I couldn't wait a week! Yesterday my right front shock rod busted and I didn't hit a hard bump or anything! Something inside the MB part shock (Bilstein?) busted in the tube and even though the rod didn't come out, what a racket and handling got real interesting on the Superstition freeway! My choice was Bilsteins in a week, Monroe on Monday, KYB in Mesa at Bap now or Gabriel right here in town in half an hour. What a variation! Once I pulled the right front shock off it felt and sounded like rocks were clacking around inside when you shook it. Rod wobbles but won't pull all the way out and any kind of bump absorbancy? Forget it!

My 300D had some KYBs on it when I bought it, very scary handling.

[Knightrider966]

Originally Posted by Craig

My 300D had some KYBs on it when I bought it, very scary handling.

Are the KYB's still white in color? I haven't used one in 20 years! Mine were a battleship grey, but no name on then. I was really suprised that the piston diameter was so small. Christ, I hope these weren't the originals! It handled well and the bumper bounce test was ok when I got it! Yeah! I didn't want to go with an Asian made shock. Monroe has always been one of my favourites and they are still American made. Or at least they were the last time I looked! I always check the country of origin when buying anything.

I don't even remember what the KYBs looked like, I hit one bump in a corner and took it to my indy with instructions to put HDs in it (I hate suspension work). I don't think I even looked at the old shocks, I think he just said something like, "Some idiot put KYBs on this car!"

[turbobenz]

i just replaced the shocks on my 126. Amazing the difference. Now I can get on an onramp without feeling like the cars going to fly off. The suspension is way way stiffer. I used monroe shocks. Hey also did anyone have any troubles replacing them? The bakc ones usualy go smooth (ive done this on a 123 and 126 now) but the front ones are a bear becuase of the 10mm star bolt holding them on.The first star bolt I removed, it sheared off completely and I had to weld an allan wrench to it. Then up top, I couldnt get the damn shaft to stop spinning when I turned the lock nut and vice grips wouldnt lock onto the chaft becuase its too smooth, and I had to weld on that too. I started at 9 at night and ended at 1:30

[JimmyL]

Put KYB's on the rear of China and they are a complete disappointment. They came free in the trunk of the Squash so I didn't hand over any $$ for them. {nor would I}
I almost bought some Bilsteins off the parts section but the seller wanted more than online stores plus shipping.
$49 bucks at Adsit and that includes shipping. Can't beat that.
I was going to say that waiting a week ain't that big of a deal since they will go a hunnert thousand miles or much more. Gabriels and KYB's: Good luck with all that....
Remember:
KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins

[123Guy]

Bilstein HD's on the Coupe and Bilstein Comforts on the 300SD - don't ever settle for anything less than Bilsteins on an MB - you'll never be totally satisified with anything less.

[pgringo]

so i just put bilstein hd's on the front of my w126 just now. am i supposed to transfer to the bilsteins the big red rubber thingies that go under the dust covers?

i'm going for a short drive right now to settle the suspension before tightening down the top nut on each side.

[Knightrider966]

I was stunned at how small the tracking rod is on the shocks! The Gabriels have bigger pistons, bigger shafts and slightly higher pressures and greater load bearing capacity. They look like OEM shocks. The Gabriels appear to be well made. I have always found Gabriels to be well made. The shocks I removed look flimsy by comparison!

[JimmyL]

Originally Posted by Knightrider966

I was stunned at how small the tracking rod is on the shocks! The Gabriels have bigger pistons, bigger shafts and slightly higher pressures and greater load bearing capacity. They look like OEM shocks. The Gabriels appear to be well made. I have always found Gabriels to be well made. The shocks I removed look flimsy by comparison!

Doesn't matter how Bilsteins look. How they perform is well known.
I simply can't accurately comment on Gabriels having never had them.

[Knightrider966]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Doesn't matter how Bilsteins look. How they perform is well known.
I simply can't accurately comment on Gabriels having never had them.

I can't say the ones I took off were Bilsteins, but the Gabriel shocks ride great and they seem to provide a more heavy duty suspension feel. I could find markings or brand names of any kind on the ones I took off!

[pgringo]

Originally Posted by pgringo

so i just put bilstein hd's on the front of my w126 just now. am i supposed to transfer to the bilsteins the big red rubber thingies that go under the dust cover?

anyone?