Front W123 shock replacement and rear subframe mounts
 

I need to replace my front shocks pretty soon, the front left pops on turns. Anyone have any instructions, pictures would help too.

I also need to replace my rear subframe mounts. Could ya'll help me out on how to do that? Thanks

You've been here long enough to know how to use the search function. This subject has been addressed again and again, for instance, here.

I do have one question though. When I remove the shock will the LCA fall down and release and then go through my head? Or is there something else holding the LCA up?

The spring is also held in place by the upper control arm and the spindle. If you don't want a single 13 or 17mm nut between you and spring impalement, support the lower control arm with a jack as well when you replace the front shocks. You might need the jack to raise the shock up into the engine bay, to secure the 2 nuts on top.

PS Do get a long handled 10mm 12 pt wrench or socket with flex adapter and PB blaster since the bolts will be super corroded on if the shocks are original, which they were for me.

Replacing front shocks took my 8 hours (lol) because I
1. Used a small 10mm wrench for the bolts, needed more leverage to break loose the 28 year old bolts.
2. Had trouble lining up the new shock/bushings in the shock tunnel and raising them in place.
4. Kept forgetting which way to tighten/loosen
3. Probably inhaled too much PB blaster

thanks ya'll I feel pretty good about shock replacement.

Does anyone have any info on the rear subframe mounts?

rear subframe bushings? easy

support the differential by a jack and unbolt the subframe, shocks, remove the springs, lower.. put new bushings then line up and bolt back together. Well, thats how I remember doing it on a W126


the last part is hard since you've got to align like 500lbs of metal

Pete said it was easy. I guess W123's are easier. I'll ask him about it when I call him back to get my new shocks.

I was just down there and we did the front end together. I still have a pop on the left front when I turn or brake hard, or accelerate fast. I assume its the shock.

The noise is probably not the shock. How much of the front end did you and Pierre do? If you didn't do all of it, could be something like the strut rod mount (just like on the 300D that Pierre and I -well mostly Pierre- did two weeks ago)

Rick

We did both LCA bushings, both strut rod mounts and bushing where it connects to the LCA, and a left ball joint. All parts were Febi. The noise is exactly the same as before we did anything, so I guess I can rule out those things just replaced.

thats my fav thing to do.. throw money at stuff..