My '81 300SD is in need of new shocks. Is this a job relatively easily done at home. I have a good deal of experience working on the car but have never done any suspension work. Any special tools required, any particular pitfalls I should be aware of? Was planning on a new set of Bilstein Comforts. Thanks.

CW

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CW

1991 300D 2.5 Turbo-199,000 mi.
1981 300 SD-79,000 mi.

This is an easy DIY. The only special tool needed is a thin walled 10mm 12 point socket for the front two bottom bolts.

The front shocks I bought came with it, but that may no longer be the case.

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83 SD

84 CD

Three pitfalls:

The shocks prevent the suspension from bottoming out. Therefore, they are loaded each time the vehicle is lifted. If you do lift it ( a certainty in the rear), you must unload the shocks by supporting the control arm while you remove the upper nuts.

The upper nuts sometimes bind on the threads and attempt to rotate the piston rod. DO NOT allow this to occur. Find a suitable tool to hold the top of the piston rod while tightening the nut. You'll likely have the same problem upon removal, but you don't care about damage to the old shocks.

The front shocks are secured by two 6mm cap screws that are in a very bad place. You definitely need a 12 point 10mm socket, 1/4" drive , to make your life easier. Do not attempt to install and tighten the inboard screw with the shock in place. Allow the shock to stick out of the fenderwell, tighten the screw, compress the shock and install the rod though the fenderwell. If you try it with the shock in place, you'll be there for an hour with a box wrench.