I just had the pleasure of changing the rear shocks on a 1987 560SL I purchased about two months ago. Since I couldn't find any specific information on how to change them I spent a lot of time searching different places in the car for the top of the shocks. Luckily, I stumbled on to this forum and got a clue as to where they might be. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of where they are or how I got at them but I will explain I hope so that you will be able to understand. The information I found on the forum said they were under the back seat(?) more platform than seat. Pulling up the platform is very easy. Pulling from both side and straight up and then sliding it out. There is a piece of insulation under the platform that didn't appear to be glued so it came out easily.
Next on both sides of the door openings where they latch is two small phillips head screws and another on at the very bottom of the side panel. Then you have to remove the handle that releases the back part of the top. Once removed be very careful and pull the panels from the bottom they are wedged pretty tight around the bend from the side to the door side. Also, the beading that runs down the panel where the door closes is pretty long and needs to be pulled all the way out.
Up in the corner you will see the two tops of the shocks. I was able to use the jack that came with the car to jack up the car. First I blocked the front wheels and put on the emergency brake. I did one at a time and had to take the jack to almost if full height to get the shaft of the extened shock out. The new shocks I purchased were wired so the shaft of the shock was not extended at all. I waited until I had the shock inside the rear spring before cutting the wire and releasing the shaft.
After finding where the top of the shock was attached it took about 20 minutes to complete both sides. One hint someone had put cheap shocks on both were leaking and one side had split at the bottom. I would purchase either original equipment or Bilstein they are a little more but well worth it.
I am lucky this car when purchased only had 50,000 miles on it and when I removed the hardtop and put the convertible top up it was the first time it had been up since it was new. There are lots of little things that need to be done because of the age but it is sound and runs great.
Thank you for being out there you gave me a starting place and that was a big help. I just hope this helps someone else.
01-01-2007, 07:33 PM
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