A shock is a damper to the spring, period. A strut is coaxial to the spring that it dampens and is part of the steering/suspension geometry. A good way to tell the difference is that a strut will change the way the wheels are oriented (do to failure/new installation or in the case of the SLS, the height).

There is a difference between struts and shocks. Ignoring the difference denigrates the meaning of words.

__________________
Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat

I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes!


1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k
1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered
1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold]

Looking for another set of these - prior links are no longer good. Anyone know a good source?

attempt to rebuilt them?

https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/2625378-rebuilding-sls-system-my-87-560sel-2.html#post15369650

from that post.


"Seals Needed To Rebuild SLS Struts:

I spoke to Joe Kohler at Tacoma Hydraulics - (253) 896-5400. I believe he wound up sourcing or having them made through Seal Source in Portland. They might be stocked there and potentially could just be ordered direct.

Dimensions I provided:
Rod OD: 23.96mm
Glide Seal OD: 27.52mm
Glide Seal Thickness: 3.0mm
Glide Seal Inner O-Ring OD: 32.0mm
Glide Seal Inner O-Ring Thickness: 3.0mm
Body Outer O-Ring Gland Diameter: 39.54mm
Body Outer O-Ring Thickness: 4.15mm'

There is a lot of info there, maybe someone would be interested in starting a little side business rebuilding these as they dont seem available anymore.

Thanks for this - I'd prefer to rebuild as a last option. Given I was able to purchase a set just 18 months ago, I'm hopeful I can find another set out there...

I believe I have a set of SLS shocks in storage from a conversion we did a few years ago.

If the part numbers match for a saloon, happy to take them off your hands. Please PM with me your expected price.



Cheers!

Whiskeydan,


I have a 300TD, and am also interested in your sls struts if you wish to sell them, I sent a PM last week.


85 300TD 396K daily driver

Raising my hand as well, one of mine has blown. this is going to get ugly fast.

I just dropped one of mine of to a local repair shop, they figure 100-150 to rebuild it. but I wont know till next week. I'll keep the thread informed of outcome, if they can rebuilt it, I'm going to have them also do my other one.

Checking in to ask if anyone's found a source or a method of rebuilding these. Mercedes Benz will order another batch if there's enough interest.

Just to let everyone know. The total cost to rebuild mine was 180 with tax. Works like new. They put all new seals into them. Just take them over to a local shop to have them taken care of.

when the shop did your rebuild, did they rebuild the small balljoints on the bottom of the strut? Mine don't leak yet but the balljoints are loose and need to be done. Mercedes does not have the replacements for these like they used to.

Mine was new rings, basically a full reseal. They didn't touch the joints or even paint the units. But seems to be working fine and not pouring fluid all over the place like before

I have been researching the hydropneumatic struts for the Mercedes 1 2 3 series and I have found a location for them. However, this company has chosen to purchase all of them that were left in the country after the manufacture discontinued it, and is attempting to sell direct to individuals at a price of $1,950. This company is well-known and more than likely everyone in this thread has purchase something or considered purchasing something from them. I would consider discussing this privately with someone however I do not want to put this company's name on this thread.

Finding used struts would be great if it was something easily accessible, but I think we should all get together and find a machine shop that would rebuild the part. At this point I am going to have to buy a parts car just to be able to pull one strut.

Anybody know anyone that owns a machine shop?

General apologies. The topic is of interest to me and I did not notice that the meat of it is 3 years or more old.

I admit to being "triggered" by martureo. He injects himself into a number of topics the same way. He offers a sanctimoneous posting that has nothing to do with the basic topic. I find it very irritating.