I believe I need to replace my rear shocks (92 400e). Rear end jiggles cornering over rough pavement. Jacked car up and none of the links are loose after tugging on everything. THe existing shocks are black in color (so I'm assuming they are Bilsteins, and the plastic cover/shroud that is supposed to stay on the top is broken and sits down on the bottom giving a good view of the rubber bumper that should be replaced to) the only identifying mark is a large 2 on the side of the shock. Does anyone know if this identifies it as HD or Comfort? The car has 140K and I dont have any records of shock changes from previous owners, front sway bar bushings were changed.

Planning on HD's at this point since I'm not sure if I want to change springs in the future (I know I will get 16" wheels in a few months).

Thanks
Paul

The original shocks / struts on your car are the equivalent of the comforts.

I went with the HD's on my car, and I find they are far superior.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Just a FYI for anyone checking the thread in the future.

The rear end of the car would jiggle going over bumps in a corner. Replaced both rear shocks. First one felt like a regular shock but noticably softer piston actuation than the replacement HD's. The other one was the suprise - the shock was dead! Basically no force extending the piston, when I pulled down on it to remove, it just colapsed. Car feels much better no - no jiggleing, and ASR comes on less (now that the right rear wheel stays in contact with the ground.

High pressure "deCarbon" type shocks pioneered by Bilstein typically maintain their original damping characteristics for their service life (which is usually VERY long) and then completely fail, unlike conventional non-pressurized shocks whose damping characteristics slowly degrade with use.

Failure is often accompanied by a MAJOR loss of oil, but not always, and they can be replaced singly. It's not necessary to replace pairs if only one fails.

Duke

I'm am wondering about the same thing. When I had my shocks replaced (at a shop) they said they replaced them with the standard comfort shocks. When I looked at them, the fronts had a 1 on them and the rears a 2.

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