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  #1  
Old 02-02-2003, 07:29 PM
Hang up and drive MORON!
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 96
Unhappy 98 ML rear shock change update and review (with pics)

Fellow M, G, and Moggers,

Spent some time in the garage today wrenching on the Benzo in an attempt to change the rear shocks.

The new shocks are Bilsteins (same one available at this site's online store) but do not include the rear coil springs so they must be transferred from the old units. Not that big of a deal in theory...

Here are some quick notes regarding today's project:

The passenger side lower shock nut ended up having to be cut off with a Dremel after the T-30 bit broke off inside the shock shaft. Okey Dokey.

The three upper shock nuts were tricky to reach. An offset 13mm ratchet box wrench (thanks for the tip Gilly) was key to their removal. Pic of said attachment point.



After retrieving a set of spring compressors I had loaned to a bud and forgotten about, one shock was removed.

NOTE: The coils are tapered and appear to be progressive rate as the bottom coils are literally touching but housed in a rubber sleeve. Therefore, unless you have some Heavy Duty compressors, go rent/borrow another set. You WILL need them.

The accumulated rust on the upper shock nut was removed with a wire wheel on the end of the trusty Makita. A little WD-40 and it came off without a hitch. Thank goodness...

I don't like the so-called bumpstop crapola Bilstein included so the stockers were reused. No big deal there.

Spring transferred and reinstalled sans the lower nut that will be procured tomorrow. Off to the driver's side.

The shock came out ok but what I found frankly ticked me off and quickly dampened the festivities (pun intended). One full turn at the bottom of the coil decided long ago that it didn't want to play with the rest of the coils anymore and broke. Notice the rust on the seperation area.





To add insult to injury, the upper shock nut was not behaving and after twisting off the tip of the shock shaft, said Dremel came out to play once more.. The remains of the Dremelized nuts are in the above pic.

Being as how we've only owned our M for a little over a year and do not offroad, it appears this is merely value-add to our purchase. JOY. I'll be taking the broken spring to the dealer to gleen their thoughts on this matter yet do not expect anything other than to rub the pretty cool service writers about one of their customers actually turning wrenches.

I'll take additional images of the swap as well as author a better organized document/post on changing the shocks.

In closing, does anyone have a line on a pair of OEM or aftermarket (ie: Eibach) coils? I need a set pronto. Please PM if you do.

Robert

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  #2  
Old 02-02-2003, 08:41 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
somebody had ml springs fs a couple weeks ago on this site.

the rubber tube keeps the springs from making noise, but nicking the surface is a nono. i am suprised to see the design of the lower spring perch biting into the bottom coil.

the spring started fail day one. see if the dealer will replace it no matter how many miles are on it. if you are a good customer, you might get a comp.
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  #3  
Old 02-03-2003, 08:57 AM
Hang up and drive MORON!
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 96
tryan,

I agree springs begin to fail from day one. This one is a bit scary however.

Stopped by the dealership en route to work this morning. The service writer and tech were both (pardon the pun) shocked at the failure but since the MB rear shocks are sold as a complete unit, they couldn't help me with a parts warranty. No biggie. The looks on their faces was rather enjoyable I must say...

I'm considering installing a set of H&R or Eibach coils in lieu of sourcing just one coil.

The saga continues..
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  #4  
Old 02-03-2003, 10:03 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 139
somebody had a set for sale on this board or benzworld.

go a little higher in the food chain. i think they will comp it if you talk to the right person and are nice.
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  #5  
Old 02-03-2003, 01:46 PM
Hang up and drive MORON!
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 96
new coils en route

tryan,

I could push a little harder in getting a parts replacement warranty on the coil but they would more than likely just replace one coil. This, in my book anyway, equates to changing only half of the spark plugs or changing only half the oil. I hope to get another 125K miles out of the Benzo so new coils are prudent at this juncture.

All,

After a bit of research over lunch regarding coil spring availability, PGAuto sells new rear assemblies for $100 each.. Nice price but I don't need an entire assembly, just the coil. Food for thought nonetheless.

Eibach and H&R offer springs for the M-class and are available through Tire Rack. Moderately priced also...

Eibachs = $201
H&R = $154

Eibachs make decent springs but after an unpleasant experience with their product causing severe understeer and terrible ride profile on my SVT Lightning, no thanks.

According to H&R's website and phone tech, their product will lower an M approximately 1.25" in the rear. I can live with that.

They mentioned/recommended adjusting the front torsion bar to compesate for the rear drop. We'll see how it looks and, more importantly, handles once the springs settle.

Robert

Last edited by Fast Robert; 02-03-2003 at 06:38 PM.
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  #6  
Old 09-23-2003, 12:42 PM
sdanville's Avatar
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 315
M Series Rear Shock Replacement.

Dear Fast Robert-
I'm a little fuzzy on rear shock replacement. You mention compressing the coil.
If I buy the Bilstein shock complete with coil, don't i just remove 3 nuts on top and one on the bottom and the whole shock unit is out? perhaps jacking up the frame to take the tension off the coil.?
Thanks for the previous tips. I will WD40 my shock nuts today for replacemnt next week.
Steve
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Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.
Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles
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  #7  
Old 09-23-2003, 02:48 PM
Hang up and drive MORON!
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 96
sdanville,

Unfortunately, Bilsteins for our application aren't sold complete with springs. MB replacements are a complete unit.

The springs on the current hardware will need to be compressed (two sets of compressors is recommended) and transferred to the Bilstein along with the current upper shock mount.



The yellow circles are to highlight round end coilc vs. flat end coils. Your build date will determine which one you have/need.

You are correct in that the three nuts on top and one on the bottom allow you to remove the shock/spring as an entire unit. It is tricky, but achievable.


FR
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  #8  
Old 09-23-2003, 02:53 PM
sdanville's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 315
You The Man Fast Robert.

Thank you very much for the reply.
- Now I have to decide to go Mercedes Factory Shock or Bilstein.
- Thanks much for the photo too.
Steve
__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.
Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles
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  #9  
Old 09-23-2003, 03:07 PM
Hang up and drive MORON!
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 96
Thumbs up no problemo

Steve,

Glad to be of assistance chief.

Should you opt to go the Bilstein route, feel fee to email me if you have questions.

FR

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