Shock question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mpolli · #1 09-22-2004, 02:32 PM

First question:

What exactly is the little shock absorber on the steering linkage for on my C230? It appears to be leaking fluid. If I replace it will I notice any difference?

Second question:

Is there a good way to test my shocks to see if they need replacement? The car has 134,000 miles now which is quite a lot, but I suppose it is possible they are still OK. The only problem I notice is when I go over a speed bump (not that fast) I hear a little "chirp" sound. Not sure where it is coming from though.

Thanks,

Mike

manny · #2 09-22-2004, 07:03 PM

First answer:
It's a steering damper. Takes the " wiggle " out of the steering when you go over bumps. Very cheap ( $ 30.00 ) to replace.
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1AM13H66E&year=1997&make=MB&model=C-230-001&category=M&part=Steering+Damper
Second answer:
At 134 k miles, I would replace the shocks.

The only " real way " to test a shock, is to remove it from the vehicle.

mpolli · #3 09-22-2004, 07:42 PM

Manny,

Thanks for the fast answer. So once I have them out of the car then what do I look for? Also, when replacing, can anyone recommend a particular brand? I have heard some say KYB is good, and then the opposite. I have been dealing with Germanstar but I don't know what brand they have. Theirs are 89.95 I think.

Thanks,
Mike

Hatterasguy · #4 09-22-2004, 07:50 PM

Bilsteins are the only way to go, and I beg to differ. Mercedes shocks are very high quality, they might be fine at 130k are they leaking?

mpolli · #5 09-22-2004, 08:06 PM

No. I really have no reason to complain other than the little squeak that I mentioned. I really hate little squeaks, but if I spend 400.00 and still have the squeak I will be a bit unhappy. Not sure if shocks can make this noise. I have never had any cars that did this before.

nglitz · #6 09-22-2004, 09:13 PM

It's highly unlikely that the squeak is coming from a shock absorber. More likely a rubber part or a shield flapping around.

In my humble opinion, shock absorbers are one of the more oversold items around. People that advocate replacing them regularly are the ones making money off them. Rarely, if ever, does one "wear out". They may leak due to nicks from rocks hitting the shaft or dirt wearing through the seal. This is why there is typically a boot over that part.

True, the "real" way to test a shock absorber is on a shock dyno. These beasties are rare!! I've only ever seen one and that was in the Koni trailer at a Can-Am race at Lime Rock.

Twenty some years ago.

The vast majority of us settle for the old jump on the fender routine. Pulling it off the car and running in in & out by hand is a waste of time. Hulk Hogan isn't strong enough to move that piston fast enough.

My opinion: if it hasn't leaked, it doesn't need replacing. OTOH I've seen some that all the juice leaked out of so long ago, that the shock was dry again. Turn it upside down & the piston would fall to the other end. Its mate on the opposite side of the same car, was fully functional. They both got replaced.

psfred · #7 09-22-2004, 09:31 PM

Bilstein or Sachs shocks (the OEM ones on Benz) are always high pressure nitrogen compensated, meaning that there is a separate piston in the bottom (or top in the case of older F&S shocks) that keeps the oil under pressure and prevents air getting in as the fluid slowly creeps out of the piston seal. The result is very long life as you never get air in the operating part.

What happens instead is that the rod piston eventually starts to hit the compensating piston as it rises from fluid loss. This causes the car to ride VERY hard and the shocks to knock badly. This is when you know they need to be replaced.

KYB are similar, but they don't last as long and are somewhat harder than Bilstein HD shocks, so you may not be happy with them.

Both my W124 chassis cars have the original shocks and struts, both have more than 200,000 miles. Ditto on my brother's W126. I put a pair of used Bilsteins from a 1967 230S on the 280 SE, rides like new.

Don't bother to replace them unless you have typical "bad shock" ride, tire wear attributable to bad shocks, or they knock too much.

Peter

manny · #8 09-22-2004, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpolli

but if I spend 400.00 and still have the squeak I will be a bit unhappy.

You should investigate the squeak a little more.
I was not implying that new shocks would cure your squeak, just simply saying I've never gone 134 k miles on shocks......except Bilstein's that I've installed myself.
Heck, the Bilstein's on my truck have 200 + k miles on them and are still like new.

mpolli · #9 09-23-2004, 01:31 PM

I really appreciate all the good advice. I will change the steering shock just because I can't stand to see that little drop of fluid hanging on there. Gives me the willies. I will give it the old bumper squash and see what I think. I think I have a date with the suspension shop in my future so this will get addressed then. Now if anyone could help me with my d*** wiper then I would really be happy...

psfred · #10 10-20-2004, 07:52 PM

The steering damper does several things.

It absorbs side impacts and cushions the steering ball joints, reducing wear. This also reduces the shock transmitted to the steering wheel.

The extra stiffness greatly reduces inadvertant steering by the driver by increasing the effort needed to move the wheel (sneeze insurance on the Autobahn!).

The stiffness also makes the steering almost immune to following road texture, so the car wanders much less.

Very nice, I've never been able to figure out why all cars don't have them. You notice when they are bad!

Peter