Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-04-2002, 10:48 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 109
W124 300TE - question on rear shocks

Friends:

Need to freshen up the shocks on our 175,000 mile 300TE. I plan to go with Koni or Bilstein, with something a bit stiffer than OEM. Neither of these manufacturers lists a rear shock for the wagon (I want Bilstein HD's, they do list Comforts).

I searched the archives and some made mention that the shocks for a 300E will work on the 300TE. Anyone with experience on this?

I would assume one should stay with the same manufacturer for front and rear?

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated!

Brian
89 300TE 176,xxx wallows badly, needs shocks
84 733i 5-speed wallows worse, next on list

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-04-2002, 10:56 AM
Michael's Avatar
Veteran
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Boston, USA
Posts: 2,701
You have a hydraulic self-leveling suspension, which is why no one carries aftermarket struts.

If you wish to retain the system, perhaps you should consider popping in new Nitrogen cells? If you've never changed them, they might very well be shot-however, your symptoms aren't consistent with blown cells, so I wonder....

Are your rear hydro struts (shocks) leaking?
__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-05-2002, 11:58 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 109
OK I'm an idiot - I looked more closely and the self-leveling system hydropneumatic shocks are not leaking.

SO - does it matter whether one goes with a stiffer shock in the front on these cars with self-leveling? It would seem that you would not want to bias the car by having a different damping rate front and rear, right?

Thanks in advance for any light on this -

Brian
89 300TE 176,xxx needs shocks
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-05-2002, 02:24 PM
Michael's Avatar
Veteran
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Boston, USA
Posts: 2,701
I strongly recommend you go OE-I just made a call on your behalf; they retail for $97 each, so can be had for about $ 80 apiece (be advised there are 2 different part numbers, based on your VIN-for the absolutely correct price email me your VIN). If you end up with a stiffer front end, your car would "pogo" and bounce at different rates & ranges front to rear-not very desirable.

If you install new front struts, be advised that they will be considerably stiffer than your current ones. Further, near as I can tell the front struts on my wagon work comparably to Bilstein HDs, but they don't quite deliver as "busy" a ride as that of my 300D (in which I installed HDs all front & rear).

I'd also consider rear Nitrogen cells, which run approximately $100 per side. If you go this route, you can't go wrong and if the ride's still loose, then the only thing left to spring for are the rear hydro-struts and you're done.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
300 TE (W124) rear wiper woes rjk Tech Help 9 07-07-2008 12:42 PM
1989 MB 560sel rear shocks question?? jeff-abalone Tech Help 1 07-31-2004 06:22 PM
W124 Rear Suspension R&R EADG Tech Help 0 06-10-2003 10:05 PM
'84 300TDT rear shocks done...EASY! Motorhead Diesel Discussion 5 05-08-2003 11:17 AM
W124 Rear Headrest & Rear Sunshade Question shanta Tech Help 0 08-16-2002 10:30 AM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page