86 300E Suspension Project

[immunity]

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...

[Rahulio1989300E]

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!

[samiam4]

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

[immunity]

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...

[immunity]

anyone....???

[hs_300e]

Originally Posted by immunity

Ok the suspension work
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.

..

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

[immunity]

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...