W126-front Bilsteins-missing parts
 

I can't believe this!

Apparently, when I had a shop put on my new front Bilsteins, they disposed of the plastic sheath covers (near the top) and the rubber spongy thing inside each. Now all I have is the bare shaft with no rubber bumper.

Howq does this affect my ride and shock action? Do I need those parts?

And: if so, where can I find them? They don't seem to be on Fast Lane. Thanks.

Hey, guys -

If someone can guide me on this (even though it might be elementary), I would appreciate the response.

I really feel that I got shortchanged here, and I don't know what to do. Again, 2 issues:

1. If these parts are missing, what would be the performance result or deficit? and

2. Where can I get these parts?

Call Bilstein
 

Call Bilstein at the number below. They are very helpful.


Bilstein Corporation of America (Suspension)
(800) 537-1085

Also, I would take the old shocks and clobber the tech over the head.

JCD

Thanks, jcd.

But - wouldn't these be Mercedes parts, rather than Bilstein?

I don't think so
 

I just replaced all 4 shocks on my 1977 300D, Bilstein HD. All 4 were basically unplug the old, plug in the new. (With some WD40 and some knuckle breaking)

My front shocks came with the plastic shroud and "bumpers" as well as new nuts and grommets. The whole deal. Same with the rears, although they had gone through a subtle redesign that made them look slightly different that the 25 year old shocks I took off. It was then that I called Bilstein and spoke to one of their techs who explained the redesign, confirmed that I had the correct shocks and said go forth and do well....he was right.

I have a "install sheet" that covers a number of Bilstein shocks. If you want to send me a private message I'll be glad to fax it over so you can see what you were supposed to be getting.

Bottom line, EVERYTHING I needed to replace the shocks was supplied by Bilstein. No MB parts carried over from the old shocks to the new. Others may had had a different experience, but from my view, don't get rid of the old shocks, but keep them just in case you decide to carry out the advice I gave you on my previous post.

JCD

Thanks, jcd. Please fax me, now if possible, the instruction sheets. I have a W126 seda.

Fax to: 305-692-8838.

e-mail is: rboyer@visaattorneys.com.

How about tomorrow.
 

I got overwhelmed with family discussions, teenagers, last nite and didn't put it in the car.

I'll try to check at noon and see if I have an extra copy in the trunk. If so, I'l fax it to you, if not I'll shoot it to you tomorrow.

JCD

Thanks, jcd. Incidentally, dropped over to my idiot garage installer this morning. He agreed:

a. That the upper mounting retaining plate had been installed reversed (i.e., bowl shape up-not down as designed).

b. That he used a single loick-tite retaining bolt on top of the shock - not 2 bolts together, as Bilsteins are designed for.

c. That the shroud and rubber bumpers were missing.

He's going to get a price on the missing parts and do the corrective work for me tomorrow.

But please fax the sheets to me, anyway. Thanks.

Faxed Bilstein Install Info
 

Robert,

Faxed it to you this AM. Good Luck

JCD