170cdi Rear shock absorbers

[silverman]

Hi all,
Need your help again please.
How the hell do you change the rear shocks on a 1999 A-class 170CDI.
Bottom bolt looks easy and obvious, on the upper bolt you can only see the outer head of the bolt how do you get to the inner nut? Hope its not as bad as I think. I have full workshop facillities so no probs there but just cant find the obvious way to undo the top bolts.

Cheers

SM

 

[silverman]

TTT

anyone please...

SM

 

[SNAP ON]

I think you will find that it is just bolted into the chassis.....

 

[Richard Murray]

Removing Shock

Hi

Did the same job on my wife's A160 last year. I remember struggling with one bolt - which I assume is the same one you're referring to. Prior to removing strut, loosen end bolts with socket. I'm assuming the bolt will release to a point - but then you'll need to grip the nut on the other side. You should be able to get a closed or open end spanner onto the nut hidden behind the chassis member. Not sure what size it is - 19mm?

Luckily for me - the guy in the MB parts department printed off a diagram (which they're not meant to do) from the CD ROM catalogue. You'll need need new bolts/nuts when fitting the new strut - think they're referred to as trailer arm/axle bolts. Compress spring ensuring you have snug fit on it. Even although it's a relatively small spring - it'll still pack a punch if it bends out of the compressor.

Once nuts are off and spring is compressed - should be straight-forward job of levering bolts out with a screwdriver or mole-grips.

Fitting is in reverse order. Only thing to watch is lining up the nut in the hidden area. It's a tight fit and good lighting is essential. Worst-case scenario - you could tape nut to closed end spanner and feed it up and try and get a lock on the thread. I lost the nut within the chassis and then spent the next two hours trying to fish it out with a magnet!!!

Richard