Front shock absorber mounts - replace 1 side or 2?

[DuncanB]

My w124 saloon needs a new shock absorber mount on the n/s, rubber has visible crack and it generates a (very annoying!) squeak. The o/s appears OK. Is it necessary to replace both at the same time?

 

[rayhennig]

Maybe not vital but desirable, given that they are pretty cheap and easy to replace.

My 2c worth.

RayH

 

[DSK]

Same as brakes always change such parts in pairs as the other will be about as bad albeit not always visually.


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[LostKiwi]

I would do both.
It's not a difficult job and the parts are cheap.

 

[DSK]

I forgot to add, not all mounts are made the same. Usually the quality of the rubber and bearings (design dependent) is awful on cheaper units. Buy Lemforder where possible.


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[DuncanB]

I see you all concur - I will fit both sides and buy OE. One question as I have not done this before: when undoing the the top central nut the damper spindle should be held still with an Allen key (it is said). When re-fitting, a torque of 60 nm is required - does the spindle have to held whilst doing this and if so how is this possible whilst using a torque wrench and socket on the nut?

 

[LostKiwi]

If you use the right tools for the job you can hold the shaft from below using two half clamps.
The average home mechanic won't have that tool so it's a case of using ring spanner and Allen key to approximate the torque then checking with a torque wrench once there's tension present.