E320cdi w210 estate car - how to change self levelling shock absorbers

[LawrenceC]

I have a 2001 E320CDI estate car which has done about 60k miles. At the last service by MB I was told the rear self levelling shock absorbers are leaking and need to be replaced. 60k miles seems to be very low for this to happen. But anyway, are they difficult to change and how do I do it? Any suggestions where I might get the parts would be welcome.. Thanks Lawrence C

 

[dynasty888]

My last car was a w124 estate and the rear self levelling spheres (what they are called) needed replacing. They costed me around £450 including parts with an indie but they were worth doing as the rear was bouncing on the smallest of bumps. If your rear bounces up and down on the smallest of bumps, your speres have gone and need replacing. Also, does the backend sit low? Have you check the self levelling fluid reservoir?

Before I had the spheres changed, I got a mate and myself on the end of the boot to weigh it down and when you jump off it, the back end would bounce 2-3 times before settling. When it is functioning properly, the back end only rises once and settles back to it's normal level.

I have an w210 estate now and the self levellers are fine and rise the once and settle straight away. Mine's done 135k and suspect it's still original but could be it's had a light paper round with the first owners.

 

[LawrenceC]

Hi, thanks for replying. Yes I also had a W124 estate and also changed both the spheres and the shock absorbers at about 160k miles. On my w210 estate however at the last service the mechanic told me the shocks were leaking even though the car has only done about 60k miles. There is no sponginess and also the self leveling still appears to work OK. The problem is that I live in Italy but will move to Germany in a few months and the car will have to go through a mot test. It will certainly fail with leaking shocks. I do most repairs on my car but can find no instructions anywhere on how to change the self levelling units.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Mine failed at 23k but MB did a bodge job on them. They finally failed at about 65k.

 

[Birdman]

Mine, which on the E55 W210 are self-adjusting, also have a slight leak and have needed topping-up. After 90K they are still good though a bit damp around the seals. Does yours have a top-up reservoir?