Excellent information. I've not gotten around to doing mine yet, I have 105K on my 99 ML 320. Really I was not looking forward to removing the spring from the strut assembly. For the cost of new OEM assemblies I'm very much inclined to go that route.

Thank again for the information.

I did go ahead and get the OEM shock assemblies for the rear from one of my parts sources. I gave them the part number Bobby cited above. Cost was $53.60 each with free shipping. Just got the assemblies and they even have the MB star on the shock body. Still waiting on the front Bilsteins I ordered from another source at $102. each with free shipping.





Edited:

Installed the rear strut assemblies this morning. No problems. Was even able to use a 1/4" drive ratchet with 13mm socket to remove two of the bolts on the top of the shock mount, very easy; I used a racheting wrench like others advised for the other bolt in front. Did not need to remove spare tire since I could get to the nuts on top of the mount from the front.

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You also have to pay attention to the lower stud of the rear shock. It is oval in shape, and if you do not line it up correctly in the lower control arm you will not be able to tighten it correctly.

I changed the rear struts on a friends ML320 in about an hour. Did not remove the inner fenders or spare tire. Ran my hand up the frame rail to get to the nuts with a ratchet wrench. Not a pleasant job, but it was only an hour.

Just found this picture on their server. The W163 M-class dampers use this Sachs twin-tube design.

__________________
W163.154, M112.942, 722.662, ZF.970.402

Would you be willing to share your part source the best I could find was $91 per shock for the rears.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin,

Below is the link to my source for the rear struts. I’m pretty sure the struts are not listed on the website. When you call make sure you speak with Rusty and give him the parts numbers Bobby cited in one of his posts in this thread, assuming you have a 1999 model. Feel free to tell Rusty that Ron in Charleston, SC referred you. Tell him you want the same struts I got, I buy parts for a few different MB’s and have dealt with Rusty for a good while.

http://www.***************/


I got the front shocks from AJ-USA. There link is below.

http://www.ajusa.com/cgi-bin/bilstein/start?ajr_skey=ef7ae3c3053b933cf4a7e79a9f20a1e3

Thanks for the hook up, I have a 01 430 and received the part #'s from the dealer using the VIN. The rears are the same as the 99 430. Good information and thanks again for sharing.

-Kevin

Ordered my front shocks Tuesday (ajusa) and the rears on Wednesday (bymbparts) and the rears showed up today, thats 2 day delivery (free) from Atlanta, GA. Both parties had outstanding customer service and I will do business with them again.

Thanks again ron for the lead,

-Kevin

guys, thanks for all your help..great information !!

This last weekend changed out my front shocks with Bilsteins on my 1999 ML430. Pretty easy job. I found it easier to totally remove the fender liners in order to get to the top nut on the shocks. BTW, the Bilsteins have a better design than the Arvins that were removed. The top of the piston on the Bilstein takes an allen wrench that prevents the piston from turning while you tighen the hex nut on the shock.

Planning on changing out the rears and replacing brake pads this next weekend.

I have a 99 ml 430 that has a BAD creaking problem with the rear shocks/struts. I am fully confident that I can change them out myself. My issue is which shock to use. Amazingly, at 60k miles, the original tags are still on the springs. I have the infamous 163-320-24-13 (aka L4000-159265) shocks on there, which go for almost $300 a piece even online. I would love to use the ones that people are picking up for less than $150 for the pair (say the 163-320-23-13). But my concerns is that there has to be something different between the two, otherwise, why would MB have seperate part numbers (different weight capacities, spring rates, bolt pattern, stud diameter, etc.)? I know that Wolfgang's page lists both as the "replacement" for the 99 ml 430, but what is the difference? I have a very early production (i.e. late 98) version. Can anyone allay my fears and save me $400+ on buying the same part numbers I have?

Man, if you can be a little patient I should be able to answer that question in a week or two. Just received the 163-320-23-13 today after ordering them 7/1/05...that is awesome service from Philip on FastLane..plus no charge for shipping. I paid $69.00 each which is simply amazing, IF they work for my early 99 ML430. According to my VIN, mine also calls for the 24's.

Could not get a definative answer on the differences between the 23's and 24's but it could possibly be only dampening rates or perhaps one is a tad longer than the other. Physically, I believe the two are identical and interchangeable. I'll let you know ASAP.......if they do work that means all four shocks AND rear springs can be changed out for a grand total on parts of approx $342.00 plus a few incidentals, such as self-locking nuts.

Pardon my ignorance, when you guys take out the old shocks, do you loosen the bolts (the bottom ones that connectds to the lower control arm) while the car is on the ground? or just jack it up and unbolt everything. I have a 98 ML and looking to replace it next year some time.

Springfever - that would be awesome info for me, thanks! Just to be sure, did the shocks you got the great deal on at Fastlane come complete with the springs installed? I assume they did, but just want to confirm.

DCF.........that is correct. Very nice units w/heavy duty springs...mb stamped on them in a couple of places. I would not want to try to replace the internal shock as others have done ... Only parts needed would be three locknuts per shock for the top.


Looks like standard labor to install at independent shops in the Atlanta area is $112.50 per side (1.5 hours @ $75.00/hr). For possible savings of $250.00, I plan to install this weekend. I'm hoping the only change between the 23's and 24's is internal and negligible. We'll see !!

Both front and rear shock r/r is done with vehicle jacked up and on secure stands, one axle at a time in my case.

I happened to stop by Atlanta Classic Cars this afternoon to pickup the radio removal tool I had ordered and just asked them if they had the 163-320-24-13 rear shock/spring assembly in stock.

Yep....while he pulled it out of inventory, I went and got one of mine out of the ML to make a direct comparison between it and the 163-320-23-13 I had ordered from Mercedesshop. BTW..factory part was $335.00....EACH!!

Happy to say they are dead-ringers !! Same amount of coils/thickness of coils/mounts....The ONLY difference I noticed was the lower mount on the dealer shock was threaded a little furthur up the bolt..maybe a 1/4 inch. Should not make any difference at all. Looks great for an inexpensive r/r this weekend...will let ya'll know when I finish this little project.