I guess I didn't answer to every posting on my quest for an answer.

No big ride height difference between the old oem's and the new bilstein comforts. I talked with the engineer in california and they sell about 4000 pairs a year for the W124's-there most popular strut.

The big problem was the toe was *way* out of spec maybe 2" 00' or something like that and it was forcing the struts to full extension. I set them at nominal and it was much better -drove it back to the alignment guy. Ops, that's where it measured out by 2" 00'- it was probably twice that before =)

I'm not concerned about the lowness of the ride- while it looks better I prefer the stock clearance b/c then I never scrape anything!!!!

Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Do you have to have an alignment after you replace the front shocks?

Well, here's my experience...

I replaced the shocks on our '91 a couple of years ago. Raised the ride height a bit, just like all of you.

I decided an alignment was not necessary. So, over the next year or so the front tires wore out on the outside edge because, as it turned out, the wheels were toed-in a bit.

The car had never been aligned since new and showed no unsual wear characteristics untils after I changed the shocks. This casts some doubt on the theory that the alignment goes back to "normal" when you replace the worn shocks on a car that still has the factory settings.

YMMV

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

This is exactly my experience with our 91 300e after replacing all four shocks with the HD's. I called Bilstein and spoke with their tech and he confirmed the 75psi (minor) pressure increase.

After further research through the threads on this site and others I found an interesting pearl: If the rear suspension is worn then it will start to sink slowly over time and offer a weight transfer biased towards the back (thus the front will rise). I believe it was PSFRED who made the point that the rear suspension needs knew bearings on the outer edge of the lower A-arm.

Replacing this will make the rear ride properly and thus transfer the weight foward again. This is because the rear spring contacts the lower suspension arm about midway and even a small change is about doubled. I am about to do this with the 300e.

I prefer the HD's BTW because of the slightly firmer handling. Also, I will replace the front and rear sway bar bushings on any car I have if hasn't been done before. It is easy, cheap and offers great results.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

We are going to do the rear shocks in the 300e tomorrow. Bilstein comforts.

They didn't come compressed.... Should I compress them and try to tie them..and then get the bottom bolt in and cut the tie...or can you just install them after removing the old ones.

also is there enough room to get them in or out... or do you jack the car up and place a jackstand under the rear axel and lower the axel on to the stand so the spring doesn't pop out?

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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