E class shock absorber question ..

[Wighty]

The rear right of my E class is sitting an inch or so lower than the other side , so I'm wondering if it could be the shock absorber . I've not done any looking undnerneath yet , but I'm wondering how a failing shock absorber is diagnosed ? Would it be the case that if the spring is not broken then it must be the shock ? If there is any oil leak on the shock then that would be an easy diagnosis
Can anyone offer any advice . I will probably do the change myself as it looks fairly straightforward DIY wise

 

[Naraic]

This isn't an estate?

Springs determine ride height, not shocks.

 

[LostKiwi]

Other than cars with airmatic or ABC the shock absorber contributes nothing to ride height and its more likely to be a broken spring, the exception being SLS equipped vehicles where it could also be a failed gas sphere.

 

[Wighty]

Thanks for the advice folks , I'll have a look underneath when I get a nice warm day .

 

[Frosty149]

Nothing for it Wighty, a good gander is required...
Is it the same when fuel is empty/full? (Don’t know your car).

 

[Frosty149]

Thanks for the advice folks , I'll have a look underneath when I get a nice warm day .

Next spring then...
Pun intended

 

[Wighty]

Nothing for it Wighty, a good gander is required...
Is it the same when fuel is empty/full? (Don’t know your car).

It's 3/4 full at the moment , it's funny you mentioned the fuel tank , I only said to Mrs Wighty this morning that we should run the tank down and re-measure the ride height when the tank is empty .

 

[Frontstep]

The rear right of my E class is sitting an inch or so lower than the other side , so I'm wondering if it could be the shock absorber . I've not done any looking undnerneath yet , but I'm wondering how a failing shock absorber is diagnosed ? Would it be the case that if the spring is not broken then it must be the shock ? If there is any oil leak on the shock then that would be an easy diagnosis
Can anyone offer any advice . I will probably do the change myself as it looks fairly straightforward DIY wise

Often your spring will just have a lump off one end or the other I have had 6 on my car.

The last pair came from Germany and really cheap autoteileman ? if I remember correctly about two years ago absolutely fine.

This sort of thing https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Coil-Springs/33582/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=mercedes+210+springs

The first two pairs were from MB, three years apiece

The correct spring compressor for the front at least is recommended.

 

[LostKiwi]

It can be difficult to see if a spring is broken as they usually break on the first coil and then rest on the broken piece.

 

[Wighty]

Jacked up the car for a look for the springs coloured dots (blue and green) . The Spring did look ok top and bottom , if it had broken it isn't easy to tell .
I checked my tool kit against what's required and need to buy some more tools , there was a female nut head with lots of spline recesses in . Didn't need to check my tool kit against that one because I don't have any

 

[Wighty]

Has anyone used the internal Spring compressors to fit rear springs to the E class or similar , rather than dismantling the axle/suspension components ? They are about £50 on eBay

 

[LostKiwi]

Yep. I have a set. Makes the job easy - just make sure the centre column is securely latched in both spring plates.

 

[Wighty]

Yep. I have a set. Makes the job easy - just make sure the centre column is securely latched in both spring plates.

Cheers LK , they look like big time savers , I'll order a set tomorrow .

 

[LostKiwi]

The other thing I'd recommend is getting the spring plates as far apart as possible.
Can take a few goes to get right.