How to change shocks and struts?
 

I saw on the DIY area about someone who changed their front struts. Theirs was a different model than mine, and needed an allen wrench in the middle, and they used a box wrench on the big nut on the outside. On mine, I don't see that, they appear to be hollow, no place for an allen wrench.

I turned the outer nut, 7/8 in size, so it's pretty big. Even if it did take an allen wrench in the middle, I don't have a box wrench that big, so I wouldn't be able to take it off anyways.

I'm using a ratchet wrench on it. It was hard to get moving, but I did so, and am turning, and turning, and turning, and turning, and turning, .... and not getting anywhere. What's the secret to getting this top nut off the front struts?

Later, I might have questions about the rear shocks, who knows!

Thanks,

jeff 1991 300d, 147k

Are you talking about this thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/228864-writeup-w124-300d-turbo-strut-replacement.html ?

(here's one for the rear: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/119993-w124-sedan-rear-shock-procedure.html)

Mine have an allen in the middle (7 mm, perhaps). I would guess that it's there to prevent the assembly (or part) from rotating as you tighten or loosen.

Do you have a picture? (had to ask) Is anything rotating below?

If you don't have a 22mm box wrench, perhaps you can get by if it's already somewhat loose with a crescent. I'm always hesitant to use one since it makes it pretty easy to round bolts / nuts.

You might have answered the question
 

Thanks for that post. The one I saw was a different one, a green Benz. This one you have the link for, is for a W124 like what I have. He's talking about an allen wrench in the center, so it must be way down in there. I'll try that.

Thanks.

Your not supposed to turn any shock nut without holding the shaft in place. This goes for any car. It could turn out to be a very dangerous situation.

If you don't have the right wrench put your socket on and turn it with channel locks while holding the shaft with an allen key through the socket.

Sometimes you have to improvise!

Danny

Usually, with the weight of the car on the suspension, the nut will come loose.

Now.. how do you put the new struts on???
 

Ok, next problem up. How do I get the new struts on?

I think I made a mistake by putting the bottom part in first, and now trying to get the top of the strut through the center hole of the rubber part. I can let the rubber part down, and might have to, but then it's a pain trying to get the screws through the holes.

Is there some way to twist the strut to make it another 1/2" to 1" longer or something? That's about all I need as far as working room to get everything done, I think.

jeff

If you jack up the control arm a little, will it help get things in place?

I don't think you want to be twisting the strut.

Do I need the strut sleeve?
 

Do I need this part, known as the strut sleeve or rubber bumper? My old one was toast. The new Bilsteins didn't come with it. It's shown here on one of the lower pictures on this thread.....

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=228864

I believe those are wear items, the rubber bumper / bump stop and the sleeve / bellows (or whatever it's called). Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but, I've got those on my parts list :o

Bilstein said.....
 

I started putting the struts on, when else, but Friday evening. When I ran into problems, I couldn't call Bilstein, they wouldn't be open until Monday.

Thankfully, I did find rubber bumpers, they were for KYB's, but they fit. When I talked to Bilstein on Monday, after I did the job, they said yes, you do need them or you will ruin the struts if they go down too far, but no, we don't make or sell them. Can you believe that???? He said it was a part sold to Mercedes at time of manufacturing, but they don't sell them individually.

What a crock.