85 300d Front Shocks Replacement - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

phidauex · #16 05-24-2006, 12:43 PM

I'd encourage you not to make any assumptions about originality on these cars. Even if they are MB parts, I guarantee you that they are either non-original, or have been removed and reinstalled a few times in the course of other maintainence. Its always better to figure out the 'right' way to do something, because 23 years is a long time, and lot of crazy stuff can happen in that interval.

The 'boot above/below the bushing' and the 'cup facing up or down' issue is pretty minor. Like I said, it would work either way I think, I was just quoting the official Bilstein manual for reference sake.

However, I'm not very comfortable with the idea of not having a bushing/washer combo below the body of the car... That could comprimise the shocks ability to move around to self align itself, and will deliver extra stress to the body because of the increased vibration. It doesn't sound standard to me, and goes against the MB manual and the Bilstein manual... Like I said, a lot of mistakes have been made with your car (and all of our cars) in the last 23 years, and you'll want to get in the habit of verifying all your repair choices, instead of relying on 'thats how they did it last time'.

peace,
sam

tobybul · #17 05-24-2006, 12:55 PM

I'm with you there Samster. Thats why I questioned it in the first place. I'm usually a stickler for doing things correctly. Thats the main reason I try to do as much of my car work as I can cuz I've encountered a few incompetencies out there.

Where is this Bilstein Manual you r referring to anyway? I checked their website but didn't any link for it.

Here's a theory about why I think there is some sense of having the bushing/washer inside the boot. As I said earlier, the condition of every part inside the boot was great. If the bushing & washer was placed outside of the boot, I am guessing that the washer would be badly oxidized & the bushing would be much worn (being esposed to the elements.

By the way, I was not saying not to put washer/bushing below. Not a good idea.

phidauex · #18 05-24-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

I'm with you there Samster. Thats why I questioned it in the first place. I'm usually a stickler for doing things correctly. Thats the main reason I try to do as much of my car work as I can cuz I've encountered a few incompetencies out there.

Where is this Bilstein Manual you r referring to anyway? I checked their website but didn't any link for it.

Here's a theory about why I think there is some sense of having the bushing/washer inside the boot. As I said earlier, the condition of every part inside the boot was great. If the bushing & washer was placed outside of the boot, I am guessing that the washer would be badly oxidized & the bushing would be much worn (being esposed to the elements.

By the way, I was not saying not to put washer/bushing below. Not a good idea.

I got a small installation manual with my shocks, it was in the box with them. It showed a diagram of the configuration, as well as torque specifications and the length specification (24mm of shaft + nut above the top washer). I'm surprised yours didn't come with one. Oh well!

Sorry if I misread you, I thought you had said there was no bushing below the body! If there is, then I apologize for misreading.

To get things straight, this is the order things are assembled on the shaft, right?

nut
top washer
top bushing
body of car
dust boot
bottom bushing
bottom washer
bump stop

If so, then I think you are in good shape.

peace,
sam

1983/300CD · #19 05-24-2006, 01:33 PM

When I received my Billsteins, they came assembled (everything but the hardware, that is). The dust boot was already on them, but the bushing and washer were not yet on the shaft. That further reinforces what the instruction manual is trying to convey.

Here's my question, (and don't take this the wong way, but) - Why even ask?

You asked a question, you were given the correct answer, and you are still going to do whatever you want anyway.

Put on the dust cover, washer, bushing, stuff it in the hole, then put on the other bushing, washer and nut. Done.

tobybul · #20 05-24-2006, 01:48 PM

I think we've beat this subject to death. The Bils came with a short instruction with not-so-clear pictures of various types of installation in 3-4 different languages.

phidauex · #21 05-24-2006, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

I think we've beat this subject to death. The Bils came with a short instruction with not-so-clear pictures of various types of installation in 3-4 different languages.

Welcome to the forum, tobybul, beating subjects to death is our speciality! As usual, this thread has yielded three useful things:

The "Official" way to do it
Another way to do it
A bunch of random discussion and light arguing

You are left to sift the truth out for yourself.

But I think you'll be fine. And like I said, enjoy your new ride.

peace,
sam

tobybul · #22 05-25-2006, 11:24 PM

I figured out the setup yesterday and started the job. Got the right front shock in no problem. Put off left front cuz couldnt budge bolt. Went to rear left and broke one of the 2 bolts at lower end. At that point, I decide to bring it to my local mechanic. I don't have the tools to drill out the bolt that broke. And even if I did it'd be a bugger working tight quarters. Better on a hoist. Ended up with a $130 charge to install the remaing 3 shocks. I didn't think that was too bad. I checked the work and it was ok.

Car rides much better. I will go back into it myself tomorrow though because he didn't use the 2 new bolts on the front shocks and one of the lock nuts for the rear shock. Although it works ok, I'll sleep better if these are installed the way I preferred.

Thanks for everyone's help.

t walgamuth · #23 05-26-2006, 12:12 AM

yeah, those lower bolts in the back are very easy to break off. they tend to rust into the arm threads. not the best designed part in the benz.

tom w

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