Has any one here recently changed their rear shock absorbers on a 1985 300D. how involved is the job and are there any special tools or techniques needed?

Not difficult. No special tools needed. The rear seat has to be removed. That might require a helper as its a bit akward.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

The reason you need to remove the rear seat (cushion and seat back) is to gain access to the top of the shocks.

The seat back is held in by 10 mm bolts in the center and two outboard areas, left and right. The seat back is removed by lifting straight up. Be careful when removing it from the car because the lower "arms" can VERY easily scratch paint.

Once the seat back is removed you will need to remove an insulation pad (easy). Then you will notice two white plastic covers. Pry them off and you will see the top of the shocks. In order to remove the shock you will need to remove the two nuts. Sorry I am not sure but I think they are 14 mm. Since the second (lower nut) will want to turn with the shock, you will need to use a small crescent wrench or other tool to hold the shock shaft at the top.

Once this is done go to the bottoms. It is much easier to do this by jacking the car up. The lower portion of the shock is held in place by one bolt.

Installation is simply in the reverse order.

Hope this helps.

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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)