Problem Replacing Rear Shocks on a W123???

[jjalex]

I prefer to try to do my own work, but I am relatively new at DIY.

Everything looks easy in print, but is replacing the rear shocks on my '84 300D going to be a big job?

Do I need any "Special" tools?

Thanks!

[Palangi]

Not difficult at all, but you do have to remove the rear seat bottom and seatback. The Haynes book will step you through it. No special tools are needed for the rears. For the front ones you will need a 10mm 12 point socket.

[jjalex]

Thanks for the reply!

[rickjordan]

I second the advise on using a Haynes manual. My 123 is a TD so the shock replacement is a different animal. My first Benz was a 116 chassis SD with regular shock in the back. I believe you will need a 17 mm wrench, a pair of vise grips to hold the center shaft from turning while you loosen the nut. You want to remove the upper nut first. Then jack the car up until the wheel is free to spin, remove wheel. Now this is what I ahd to do to get the shocks out from the 116. There are 2 bolts at the bottom of the "A" arm, once those are loose, the shock will drop down, but you will find that there isn't any clearance to pull the fully expanded shock through the hole in the A arm. So what I had to do was lower in the car onto a jackstand, then place your floor jack under the hub and jack it up, compressing the spring, minding the shock, until there is enough room to pull the shock through. For installing the new shock you slide it through the hole in the A arm and slowly lower the A arm down so that you can put the lower bolts in. With that done, slowly raise it up again to get the shaft through the hole at the top. Put the new bolts on, up top with the shock fully seated. Put your wheel back on and your good to go.

[jjalex]

Excellent,
Thanks!