As I was removing the old rear shock on my W116 I realized I would have a problem installing the new one. I was working with a jack and jackstands and the shock hit the ground on the way out before it would angle far enough to drop out of the inside of the spring and control arm. The old shock was completely gone so it was no big deal to push the plunger in to shorten it to get it out. But obviously that would not work on the new one.
My solution was to compress the shock, and with a helper run a piece of light wire from the bottom bracket up, around the top washer/rubber and back to the bottom bracket on the other side. This kept the shock compressed. Once it was inside the spring and control arm, I reached in with a pair of side cutters and cut the wire, allowing the plunger to extend. I had to wiggle the wire a little bit with a pair of needle nose pliers to get it to unwind off the plunger.
I think it was eaiser than trying to jack the car up another foot.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You mean you don't compress the new shock then slide it into place before it extends? That's always the fun part

Sixto
87 300D

Yeah, I tried that. I'm not that quick.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

My new rear shocks came compressed and with the wires to hold it in already present when I opened the box (first time replacing shocks on Mercedes). Is it normal for them to come out of the box uncompressed?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Mine were Bilstein's, unwired. Don't know if that's normal or not.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13