rear shocks - Sachs or Bilsteins - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 04-25-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougk

you got the shocks for twenty bucks a piece?

DK

AZ sells the Gabriels for $19.99 ea lifetime wty. Yes, Bilsteins are very good. I have them on my 85D. Like I said above, was just lazy to order and wait so I decided to try these Gabriels and I must say they are good. Lets see how long they'll last. I'm guessing at least 50k miles. Sears put Gabriels on my Caravan 60k miles ago and they're still good.

I'll take a pic later.

KPMB82 · #2 04-25-2007, 08:49 PM

Just put Gabriels on my 82 300D 2 weeks ago. 210,000 miles and I'm pretty sure I pulled the original Sachs off. Gas charge in rears was totally gone and one would not retact more than half way. Gas charge onthe fronts was only about half extention. Fronts and rears almost no dampning left just push or pull the whole length. Anyway the new Gabriels are somewhere between the comfort and HD shock in stiffness. At $20 each with a lifetime warr. I can change them every 2 years and feel good about it. AZ had them in stock Seemed like a good deal we'll see.

tobybul · #3 04-25-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KPMB82

Just put Gabriels on my 82 300D 2 weeks ago. 210,000 miles and I'm pretty sure I pulled the original Sachs off. Gas charge in rears was totally gone and one would not retact more than half way. Gas charge onthe fronts was only about half extention. Fronts and rears almost no dampning left just push or pull the whole length. Anyway the new Gabriels are somewhere between the comfort and HD shock in stiffness. At $20 each with a lifetime warr. I can change them every 2 years and feel good about it. AZ had them in stock Seemed like a good deal we'll see.

Were you able to get Gabriels from AZ for the rears too?

tobybul · #4 05-01-2007, 09:21 AM

I put Gabriels on the fronts of the 84D and have had it on for over a week now. Still evaluating it... not sure if I like it. Feels kinda mushy. No comparison to the soft ride of the 85D with Bilsteins. I'll give it a month. Might put back the KYB's I took off.

Moorewr · #5 05-17-2007, 06:08 PM

Bilsteins all around from Phil, best move, changed the sway bar links at same time on rear, great ride. Had Gabriels before, world of difference.
ron

Hatterasguy · #6 05-17-2007, 07:27 PM

I put one Gabriel on my 300SD to try to fix the clunk on the right front. The rest of the shocks were middle aged Bilsteins. That one corner always rode very stiff, its strange but it was certainly noticable.

Considering Bilstien comforts run about $60 each if you shop, I don't see a reason to get anything else. Gabriels even new are POS's, they compress much easyer then a new Bilstien.

drgreenthumb · #7 05-17-2007, 08:45 PM

I will be replacing shocks soon and plan on going with Bilsteins. I have also had good results with Boge Turbo Gas but they are not as economical as they used to be.

Here is an interesting read on struts/shocks...guy seems to know what he is talking about.

http://www.wincom.net/trog/autocross_secrets6.html

jbach36 · #8 05-24-2007, 10:49 AM

Is it ok to install shocks yourself, or do you lose a hand in the process? Better to take it to a shop, I'm assuming.

jeff 1991 300d, 107k

tobybul · #9 05-24-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

Is it ok to install shocks yourself, or do you lose a hand in the process? Better to take it to a shop, I'm assuming.

jeff 1991 300d, 107k

Defintiely a DIY job for me. If it has not been replaced b4, make sure the lower bolts/nuts are soaked with WD40 or similar oil overnight. Removing them without breaking them would be the most challenging part.

dougk · #10 05-14-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

AZ sells the Gabriels for $19.99 ea lifetime wty. Yes, Bilsteins are very good. I have them on my 85D. Like I said above, was just lazy to order and wait so I decided to try these Gabriels and I must say they are good. Lets see how long they'll last. I'm guessing at least 50k miles. Sears put Gabriels on my Caravan 60k miles ago and they're still good.

I'll take a pic later.

I couldnt find them on their website. Could you help me?

DK

jnc19610 · #11 05-14-2007, 09:10 PM

Well... My .02 is pretty simple....

For $20, you get a $20 shock. They work, and they work fine for a while. (monroe, gabrials fit this category)

For $50, you get a $50 shock. They work fine, maybe even a little better, for a while. (this is Sachs, boge territory)

For $100, you get more or less lifetime shock. (bilstein aftermarket shocks carry a lifetime warranty)

In my opinion, Sachs products are good, and better than they used to be. (I consider Sachs better than boge ever was)

In a former life..... I worked at a foreign car import warehouse. We sold mostly Sachs, some boge, some KYB. Personally, I think that Gabrial is at the low end, Monroe not much better, KYB's are good for the money, but not good enough for me. My wife has Sachs on her Saab that were outstanding. I have some 36 year old Boge's on my 914/6 right now that are better than Bilsteins. But.... at the end of the day..... my favorite shock is Bilstein. (might have been the 'rebuilds' they did at the track, in my other former life crewing on an IMSA 911.)

t walgamuth · #12 05-14-2007, 10:34 PM

if i am planning to keep it always bilstein.

tom w

tobybul · #13 05-23-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougk

I couldnt find them on their website. Could you help me?

DK

Sorry, just checked in. What did you need help on??

dougk · #14 05-24-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Sorry, just checked in. What did you need help on??

I cant find the shocks you are stating are at AZ. But I might go with bilsteins. So, 60 dollars a piece is the cheapest I will probably be able to find them for? Do you think that this is a diy job or a send to the mechanic job? I will probably get all four of the shocks replaced.

DK