Suspension Tool Advice Needed
 

Went to change the shocks on my 83 300CD and the nuts are not something I am familiar with. They are the nuts on the bottom that attach to the A frame or swing arm. Are they regular 12 point metric or what...Thanks

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A twelve point metric wrench or socket will work on those. I think you will find that they are bolts instead of nuts.

They are 6mm 12 point metric cap screws. The inner one is a PITA due to insufficient clearance and the inability to use an open end wrench.

Don't go crazy on the tightening. They are only 6mm, remember. ;)

The tool you need is a 10mm 12 point socket. As an alternative, you mightbe able to find an old fashioned 10mm ignition wrench that would fit.

Can you get a socket on a W123? The inner cap screw is hidden below the shock body on the W126 and you can barely get the wrench on it. There is absolutely no room for the socket. :confused:

It was 5 or 6 years ago when I did shocks on the 300D, but I seem to recall finding a suitable socket from one of those old China or Taiwan knuckle buster socket sets that used to sell for about 6 or 8 bucks. I remember saying to myself "say, this is a pretty handy tool, I better hang onto this." So naturally, I have no idea where I put it. It may be floating around in the bottom of one of my toolboxes. I will have a look for it tomorrow.

The inner bolt on the 126 is much easier to remove if you first unbolt the top of the shock, then compress the shock and swing it out toward you. Using this method, I am able to get my 10mm 12pt socket on the inner bolt w/o problem.

This is right on the money. Now, can you install the new shock in the same manner..............connecting the lower end with the upper end sticking out of the fenderwell? Didn't seem like the new Bilsteins would be all that amenable to compressing the rod, holding it down, and simultaneously swinging the shock into position before letting the rod go. :confused:

If this is able to be done, it would save a lot of effort. I think that inner screw took me over 20 minutes to secure.