MacPherson Strut
 

I have an 2003 SL500 that needs new back struts. My maintenance agreement covers MacPherson struts, but is disallowing since they claim these are not MacPherson. Is this true, or how can I confirm? I've heard MacPhersons are only used on the fronts. Thanks for any advice on this. Kurt

Macpherson struts have the strut located inside the spring.

Struts are a simple suspension and a variation of the Macpherson Strut, the struts are located outside of the spring but the strut and a lower control arm usually form the entire suspension.

Yours are simply shocks as they simply damp the motion and don't form any part of the suspension's location fuctions (the rear suspension could function without the shocks, just bouncy. Struts and Macpherson Struts need the struts to hold the suspension in place). Your maintenance agreement should cover shocks.

I HAVE A 03 SL AND I THINK MY SHOCKS ARE ALMOST NEED TO BE REPLACE TOO, BUT THE 03 SL AND NEWER USE HYDROPNEUMATIC SHOCKS (see pic.)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3131/1236501122.th.jpg

AND IT COST AROUND 1000.00 EACH NEW ''OUCH'' IS ANYONE OUTHERE KNOWS WHERE TO GET A BETTER DEALS.