98 ML rear shock change update and review (with pics)

[Fast Robert]

Fellow M, G, and Moggers,

Spent some time in the garage today wrenching on the Benzo in an attempt to change the rear shocks.

The new shocks are Bilsteins (same one available at this site's online store) but do not include the rear coil springs so they must be transferred from the old units. Not that big of a deal in theory...

Here are some quick notes regarding today's project:

The passenger side lower shock nut ended up having to be cut off with a Dremel after the T-30 bit broke off inside the shock shaft. Okey Dokey.

The three upper shock nuts were tricky to reach. An offset 13mm ratchet box wrench (thanks for the tip Gilly) was key to their removal. Pic of said attachment point.



After retrieving a set of spring compressors I had loaned to a bud and forgotten about, one shock was removed.

NOTE: The coils are tapered and appear to be progressive rate as the bottom coils are literally touching but housed in a rubber sleeve. Therefore, unless you have some Heavy Duty compressors, go rent/borrow another set. You WILL need them.

The accumulated rust on the upper shock nut was removed with a wire wheel on the end of the trusty Makita. A little WD-40 and it came off without a hitch. Thank goodness...

I don't like the so-called bumpstop crapola Bilstein included so the stockers were reused. No big deal there.

Spring transferred and reinstalled sans the lower nut that will be procured tomorrow. Off to the driver's side.

The shock came out ok but what I found frankly ticked me off and quickly dampened the festivities (pun intended). One full turn at the bottom of the coil decided long ago that it didn't want to play with the rest of the coils anymore and broke. Notice the rust on the seperation area.





To add insult to injury, the upper shock nut was not behaving and after twisting off the tip of the shock shaft, said Dremel came out to play once more.. The remains of the Dremelized nuts are in the above pic.

Being as how we've only owned our M for a little over a year and do not offroad, it appears this is merely value-add to our purchase. JOY. I'll be taking the broken spring to the dealer to gleen their thoughts on this matter yet do not expect anything other than to rub the pretty cool service writers about one of their customers actually turning wrenches.

I'll take additional images of the swap as well as author a better organized document/post on changing the shocks.

In closing, does anyone have a line on a pair of OEM or aftermarket (ie: Eibach) coils? I need a set pronto. Please PM if you do.

Robert