2007 ML320/350 STRUTS AND SHOCKS W164.1

[markg612]

Relatively painless process, installed 4600 Bilstien SUV series (yellow) on all four corners over marshmallow B4 OEM option.

Initial ride was a bit stiff, but has settled in nicely, drives like a Benz again.

Interestingly, the PO installed AT THE STEALERSHIP what were supposedly OEM shocks and struts at about 65000 miles, the vehicle is at 92000 and all 4 were leaking and "mr toad's wild ride" best described the experience behind the wheel! The old shocks and struts were black, with a longitudinal white sticker that could no longer be read. Unlike most OEM MB parts, there were no stamped part numbers or manufacturer info?

Installation notes;

Front--the MB shop manual directs you to remove both the tie rod end AND the drive shaft from the carrier, which is over kill. The tie rod end does need to be removed, but the drive axles can be popped out of the transmission carefully using the carrier arm as a lever and gently "bumping" them loose from the transmission, then push the lower control arm down and the strut will move past the axle free from the vehicle. The right side comes out to the back and the left to the front.

Be EXTREMELY careful of the brake wear sensor cable on the right side, it fails internally with very little disturbance of the wire. 164 540 46 33 $31.75 wholesale. You'll get a brake wear indication if you wrecked it, like I did! (the cable with the sensor installed ohms out at .1-.2~ ohms and can be checked from the connector just behind the wheel well lining forward of the strut.)

Any suspension shop that has a wall mounted compressor can swap your spring set out in short order. Do NOT try this at home!!

Be mindful of the yoke and top plate alignment, the sway link mounts to the front and the top plate is oriented so as the lone stud on the plate that is not symmetrical to the other two is aft.

Back-the OEM B4 shocks come with a new top mount and the 4600s do not. You will need to swap them out after removing the old shock. Additionally, the top mounts are buried behind the cargo compartment back walls. Remove all visible hardware from the back up to the back of the seats and the cargo floor/door, including the trim piece across the back, the sides will slip out, but won't slip in without removing it. 10 minutes with a drill and torx tips.

4 hour job plus shop time for the spring swap.

1/2 inch braker bar plus a handle extension and a 24MM or 15/16 socket and matching wrench is required, OR a very high torque impact wrench. The previous repair was torqued to armstrong specs, well beyond the 520NM called for in the shop manual.

Good luck--there isn't much out there yet on these cars, which doesn't surprise me, most folks are still going to the stealership for the usual reaming.