86 300E Suspension Project
 

The shocks on my 86 300e are completely gone. With passengers in the back the car bounces like a bronco. I want to replace the shocks and need some advice/suggestions. I will be going through the forum looking for tips/suggestions but wanted to see if you guys have any advice of the top.

I want to lower the profile a little while Im doing this. What should I do?
Should I get the adjustable shocks(Im afraid those will be expensive).
Where should I get them?
Im on a budget so dont need top of line but decent quality and excellent price.
What kind of installation costs am I looking at? What should I watch out for at the mechanics?
Should I be replacing SPrings/Struts?

Anything else.

Thanks...
Ill update this thread with my progress...for others benefit...

Hello, I am in the middle of gathering up all parts for a steering and suspension rebuild....

I would recommend getting the sway bar bushings done too... :)

and since you are replacing the shocks... go ahead and replace the mounts too, as they age, they can harden and start to crack... making your ride more firm and a bit dangerous! :o

If you want to lower the car slightly..

Look at the spring perch (where the spring sits on the body). THe spring sits on a rubber spacer, check to see how many nubs are on the ones installed. I think for the fronts of W124's, they made them in 1 nub to 4 nubs being the thickest. If you've got 3's or 4's, you could go down to a 1 nub.
I would look long and hard at the condition of the lower control arm bushings and lower ball joints , this is the correct time to replace them. Check the tie-rod ends for play and the idler arm.


Michael

Continued
 

Ok the suspension work continues....thanks for the advice so far... I have more questions:

I get asked this question:

To which chassis range does the vehicle belong?

A 873917
A 873916
How do I find this out...? Is it on the engine...? I have a 86 300e , w124.

Also is my rear suspension auto levelling?


As far as shopping I have found the following :

On line
Bilstein $93.15

KYB Shock Absorber Gas-a-Just $67.38
(can I use these on all four...? are they manually adjustable)

On ebay

4 shpcks US $219.00*
KYB GR-2 SHOCKS MERCEDES W124 260E 300E 300D 85 - 95


Mercedes Shock Strut mount W124 US $34.00*



And then the lowering question again: Will these gas shocks or the KYB Gr2 shocks allow me to lower the car significantly or do i need something else?

Can any mechanic do this or is it prudent to go mercedes friendly($$) guys...



Thanks in advance for any help at all. I will continue to update this thread for others doing similar stuff...

bump.
 

anyone....???

The above are the last 7 characters of your VIN number.

thx....this is also what i found on searches

look on your vin number, on the drivers side windshield near the dash, it will look something like this:

wdbha24g2xa740218 (taken from an ebay auction for a w202)

the bolded portion is the part you are looking for...this particular car would fall in the "A 487048-" range since it is A740218




But my vin # ends XGA145797.... still dont know what range thats puts me in between those two choices...