Hello, as my signature indicates, I drive a 1990 300ce (with 190k mi). I have lowered the car, but I was trying to save a few bucks when I did it by delaying my shock replacement.

I have been searching for a good DIY page for this, as I'd like to try it myself. I've never done anything like it before, but it seems relatively straight-forward. I will also purchase a Hayne's book for the w124 to assist me. In my searching, I have yet to find a pictorial step-by-step DIY thread, although some people hinted of one existing on these forums. Can somebody point me in the right direction? I looked at the DIY page and didn't see shock replacement for the 124.

Nearly everybody recommends Bilstein Sports for lowered 124's, so I'm gonna use those. My question is, what does the strut do? Again, I'm far from a mechanic. Google searches have resulted in pictures of units that look much like shocks, but I can't figure out what they do exactly...

And a follow-up question would be, how do I know if they need replacing as well?

So, in sum, here's what I'm asking.

1. Could somebody show me a good DIY page for w124 shock replacement?
2. What do the struts do?
3. How do I know whether my struts also need replacing?

Thanks very much!!

Peter