W126 Rear Shock Bushings, Changing
 

In an attempt to get my 87 560SEL ride back to MB quality I replaced the accumulators. They were shot. The ride improved about 90%. But I still feel a little thump. In reading the threads it seems as if the next easy fix might be the shock bushings. I reviewed my MB Service Manual (cd) and understand how to r&r the rear shocks, I think. Can the top bushings be replaced through the access panal behind the rear seat or do the shocks have to be removed? MercedesShop.com only shows what appears to be the bushings for the top. What about the bottom bushing?

Thanks for any help. My previous thread about the accumulators was a great help. Other than being messy it was a easy job with great results.

If like my 380SE(w126) yes you could repalce the top bushing thru the acess hole behind the rear seat. But to do the bottom bushing you would have to undo the the shock. How many miles on athe car? I just did my rear shocks, which looked good but after replacing them the ride is much much better. MIne had 100K on them. Not a real hard job. Probably getting the rear seat and seat back in by yourself will be the hardest part.

My car has 178,000 on the clock. It does have the hydraulic shocks. Curious if that adds any more complexity.

The new bushing is very thick; and it is a tight fit - so you might have to remove the shocks to press it in.

Besides the electrical connectors for the heating elements on the rear seats, you'd only need to remove the hydraulic lines in addition to other w126 models. Bleed the line before doing so to avoid hydraulic fluid jetting into your interior.

The part you're looking for is called "shock bump stop" in FastLane, FYI.

I usually throw a rag over the 15mm socket when undoing the hydraulic line on the ram.. As for getting everything back together, jack up the control arm a bit, it will give you more room to work the shock leg.. it's a tight squeeze but you can usually catch a thread or two w/o too much trouble.

Jonathan