1st question

95 E300D front strut question Bilstein 22-003621 or 22-001856 ?

I've spent some time trying to decide between the two above front struts.

I've known for a couple of weeks that Mercedes switched from

124 320 53 30 to
124 320 32 30 during the production run for my car. I was at the dealer yesterday to confirm this.

The first part number cross references to 22-001856 in the Bilstein catalog this is the number they show through the end of the production run.
The second cross references to 22-003621 Bilstein shows this part number for only a 190e a substantially lighter car.

I've only been able to find out that the stroke length is almost the same for each. 18.4" - 25.0" twin versus 18.4 24.9 twin for the 22-003621 this is the only technical information that Bilstein will provide.

Does anyone know any more specs or have an opinion on which ' rides ' more comfortably? I'd prefer making the best choice for ride comfort if possible. This will probably be the only time I ever replace the struts and would like to make the best choice if there is one.

2nd question

Car started pulling to the right about 10,000 miles ago ( turning 100,000 miles this week ). Aligned three times. Suspension components check good each time. Told camber is not adjustable and most likely cause. I plan to replace the struts and it's related components but not the control arms. Has anyone used any of the thicker Mercedes shims to make the original coil springs have a little more lift to the height of the front?

3rd question

Choose Bilstein or Lemforder control arms?

4th question

Is the P/N: 2013300018 Lemfoerder control arm eccentric bolt kit " Cross References: 1101001 W01331635576 " worth installing to try to get more caster angle adjustment?

Pulling can also be due to tires (if new and one is defective) or tire wear: Tire Tech: Diagnosing Tire Pull

Either will be fine, you probably will not be able to discern any difference. More important would be refreshing all the rubber components like the strut mounts (top of strut) and all the rubber in the driveline from the motor mounts to the differential mount and all rubber in between. THAT could make a big difference if that rubber is more than ten or fifteen years old.




Sounds like you should try a different alignment shop? Camber is totally adjustable on the front axle. See answer to last question below.



Neither will meet the quality of the original parts. You can rebuild the original control arms, if not corroded, with new inner bushings and a new ball joint. More labor, but probably lower cost than new MB control arms. Check prices for each route. My choice has always been to rebuild the original.



Those should already be installed from the factory, two on each side. If they are not there, then you should purchase and install. They are for camber adjustment, and I think is is also possible to get some caster adjustment because there are two on each side.


There is a different kit for adjusting camber on the rear axle, but if all the components are fresh it should not be needed.

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Thanks for the answers. My tires are new Michelins. I did find that the 'level' adjustment 'with different rubber mounts/shims' and check is at service section 40-0300 and 40-0322 covers the camber adjustment with the factory installed eccentric bolts. I printed the pages and will take to the alignment shop after any new parts are installed.

I was able to find a bilstein strut supplier that is asking Bilstein's opinion on the few struts that are available for my e300d. Hopefully they can get a better answer than I could. Mercedes supplied parts are getting pricier and more difficult to find. One control arm was quoted at $500. Virtually all of dealer supplied parts for my suspension would have to come out of Germany ' supposedly '. I lost my discount source for Mercedes parts, changed owner and contact quit and moved to Florida.

Getting more difficult to find German origin parts for my car. Bilstein strut mounts came in and were manufactured in China. I'll keep my stock ones installed for now because the rubber is not showing any failure.

I have installed used struts from a 1992 300D (5 cyl) to another W124 (E300D) - and they worked perfectly - I just tested them like the FSM asked and they were in spec.

The V8 struts are different at the mount points where the spindle is bolted (thicker bolts)

For control arms, refurbing them is better, a pair of bushings and new ball joint is quite cheaper than $500. (The E300D has replaceable balljoints unless you have a sportline car with low slung suspension)

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Do NOT waste the money on MB branded control arms, Lemforder is the manufacture, I've been successfully using their parts for 25 years, they even have the MB star ground off the part in certain instances.!

PS, The replacement arms are $300 for a pair--Job done.

__________________
Mark
========
THE WHITE FLEET
2016 GLE300d 4-MATIC 38K BROWN!
2012 S350 Bluetec==94k WHITE

2007 ML320 CDI==166K WHITE (FOR SALE)

Under new management:
2005 E320 CDI--140K--WHITE
1995 E300-Diesel-133.5K--THE CAR IS BLUE
1986 300SL--97.5K (European) AND WHITE. Back in Europe!
1991 190E 2.3-73K California Perfect.--WHITE
1995 E320-Wagon-159K--WHITE (recently scrapped)
1987 300D Turbo-213K--WHITE
1987 190D 2.5 Turbo-288K--WHITE

22-003614

I installed these struts on my E300 a few years ago, car rides excellent, like new at 335,000.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
Mark
========
THE WHITE FLEET
2016 GLE300d 4-MATIC 38K BROWN!
2012 S350 Bluetec==94k WHITE

2007 ML320 CDI==166K WHITE (FOR SALE)

Under new management:
2005 E320 CDI--140K--WHITE
1995 E300-Diesel-133.5K--THE CAR IS BLUE
1986 300SL--97.5K (European) AND WHITE. Back in Europe!
1991 190E 2.3-73K California Perfect.--WHITE
1995 E320-Wagon-159K--WHITE (recently scrapped)
1987 300D Turbo-213K--WHITE
1987 190D 2.5 Turbo-288K--WHITE

I would advise against bilstein. To firm. Get the original Sachs.

This car came with both Bilstein and Sachs-Boge as factory equipment.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Mine had Sachs-Boge, they sucked, I like my Bilstien's much better. Car's like it's on rails, and I personally don't find the B4s to be stiff.

Put B8s on my ML320, and they are a bit stiff, but it completely changed the drivability of the vehicle in a hugely positive manner, I would never go back.

__________________
Mark
========
THE WHITE FLEET
2016 GLE300d 4-MATIC 38K BROWN!
2012 S350 Bluetec==94k WHITE

2007 ML320 CDI==166K WHITE (FOR SALE)

Under new management:
2005 E320 CDI--140K--WHITE
1995 E300-Diesel-133.5K--THE CAR IS BLUE
1986 300SL--97.5K (European) AND WHITE. Back in Europe!
1991 190E 2.3-73K California Perfect.--WHITE
1995 E320-Wagon-159K--WHITE (recently scrapped)
1987 300D Turbo-213K--WHITE
1987 190D 2.5 Turbo-288K--WHITE

I put Bilstein HD on my 95 E300D just recently and they ride incredibly well. P/N 22-003614

Almost sad I've decided to sell this one...

__________________
'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Thanks for the replies.

A few parts have started to be delivered. All the new rear control arms are Lemforder and are metal except for the camber struts. Those are plastic and made in Turkey, the others are from Germany. Is plastic and a Turkish origin about the best I can do for that arm? The front strut mounts are Bilstein and show made in China. I don't trust that for longevity so will try to find a better country of origin for that part.

The car is my daily driver with my wife's Prius as a backup. We're planning three trips using my car, this fall, totaling about 6-8 thousand miles. That's the main reason for the current updates.

Camber struts plastic?? They should be metal

The antiroll bar linkages are plastic on sedan and cast aluminium on wagons,

I think you are confusing both, camber strut is the curved u shaped dogbone arm.

Just checked with a magnet, they are metal. My goof for assuming... In the plastic wrapping looked like a big thick plastic molded piece.