CL500 C215 Rear Shock Absorber Leaking.

[Meatfeast]

Hi all.

Just in having the rear tyres replaced on my 2004 CL500 when it’s just been discovered that the left side rear shock absorber is leaking fluid.

Can this be repaired or will I need a new shock, and if so will the ABC fluid need to be replaced too?

The right hand rear shock is dry although the rubber sleeve is damaged.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Replacement I’m afraid. Get the p/No and look on AliExpress, new struts are about £350 delivered.

 

[Meatfeast]

Replacement I’m afraid. Get the p/No and look on AliExpress, new struts are about £350 delivered.

Are the ‘Ken Wong’ Ali Express ones any good?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Are the ‘Ken Wong’ Ali Express ones any good?

Top notch. I put 3 in my car.

 

[Meatfeast]

Top notch. I put 3 in my car.

That’s really interesting to know, I’ve been looking at some refurbished ones in Holland, just over £700 a corner.

I’ve always been a bit reluctant with anything Ken Wong Special - never sure if it’s a false economy.

Are they easy to fit or would I need a specialist?

Cheers.

 

[Craiglxviii]

That’s really interesting to know, I’ve been looking at some refurbished ones in Holland, just over £700 a corner.

I’ve always been a bit reluctant with anything Ken Wong Special - never sure if it’s a false economy.

Are they easy to fit or would I need a specialist?

Cheers.

I have always used Welwyn Merx as they’re an ABC specialist, but changing a strut over is a driveway job if you know how (and the flexi pipe hasn’t frozen itself onto the Union).

The struts I bought all came with 2 years warranty, and quality wise both Phil (wWelwy Merx owner) and I were blown away. They were indistinguishable from the OEM struts, to the point of detail eg band clamps being identical to OEM MB ones.

 

[Meatfeast]

I have always used Welwyn Merx as they’re an ABC specialist, but changing a strut over is a driveway job if you know how (and the flexi pipe hasn’t frozen itself onto the Union).

The struts I bought all came with 2 years warranty, and quality wise both Phil (wWelwy Merx owner) and I were blown away. They were indistinguishable from the OEM struts, to the point of detail eg band clamps being identical to OEM MB ones.

That’s brilliant - should I buy a pair or just the one I need?

I was just wondering what happens to the ABC pipe and fluid to remove and replace the shock?

 

[Craiglxviii]

That’s brilliant - should I buy a pair or just the one I need?

I was just wondering what happens to the ABC pipe and fluid to remove and replace the shock?

You need to cap the pipe once the old strut has been removed, and ensure that there is no muck anywhere around. Surgical cleanliness is needed!

You can change individual struts, they don’t need to be done in pairs.

 

[Meatfeast]

You need to cap the pipe once the old strut has been removed, and ensure that there is no muck anywhere around. Surgical cleanliness is needed!

You can change individual struts, they don’t need to be done in pairs.

Will I lose any ABC fluid at all swapping them over?

Sorry if I sound a bit thick!

 

[Meatfeast]

Will I lose any ABC fluid at all swapping them over?

Sorry if I sound a bit thick!

You need to cap the pipe once the old strut has been removed, and ensure that there is no muck anywhere around. Surgical cleanliness is needed!

You can change individual struts, they don’t need to be done in pairs.

Sorry - I meant to ask - do you know which shock I need from Ali Express - it’s the Nearside Rear that’s gone on mine although the rubber boot on the offside is knackered too.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Sorry - I meant to ask - do you know which shock I need from Ali Express - it’s the Nearside Rear that’s gone on mine although the rubber boot on the offside is knackered too.

If you take the wheel off the part number is printed on the strut. There are too many different parts to guess.