Rear Shocks w124 coupe

[d215yq]

Now its finally been sunny for the day got under the car and poked around the rear suspension to finally investigate the rear suspension problem.

Found no evidence of any loose bushes or other parts but noticed that one of the rear shocks has completely gone. I presume this job is too hard for myself as I am not very mechanically experienced so does anyone know roughly what i should pay for an indie to replace the rear shocks?

Also is the new set of shocks likely to solve all of the following symtpoms or is it likely to need somthing else as well that i should budget for. mileage is 140k and its had new rear ARB bushes at 115k

Rear wheel feels like it slides/loses grip when a bump is hit at speed and feels unstable

On uneven surfaces/cambers at speed whole car seems to twist

Every bump is felt through rear, and is felt much more through rear than front.

whole rear suspension clonks over very large bumps

Thanks,

Ben

 

[television]

When replacing the shocks, do it in pairs they are easy to change as the spring is separate.

If one has gone it could account for the noise and banging, when gone, the car will pitch and bounce, and in general unpleasant to drive,

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.413&CT=F&cat=15T&SID=32&SGR=120&SGN=03

only one nut at the top and the bolt at the bottom

 

[d215yq]

Appreciate the quick reply as ever, Malcolm. Do you know roughly what these should cost, my indie insists this is a "very expensive" part and quoted me 130each + VAT just for the part earlier.

There are some on GSF for £25 and its only the Self levelling shocks that are in his price range. Am I right that, being a coupe on std suspension, its not Self levelling and the £25 shock will do?

Ben

 

[television]

Hi Ben,, I do not think that you have the hydraulic suspension unless it was a special order, Many use the GSF shocks, so why not

 

[roofless]

it might need new subframe bushes a very common fault with the 124 due to age

 

[Bolide]

Am I right that, being a coupe on std suspension, its not Self levelling and the £25 shock will do?

Bear in mind that the dampers have a direct bearing on the way the car rides. A £25 shock "will do" but a Mercedes damper, or a high-quality equivalent from Bilstein, will cost a little more but give a better result for a longer period of time

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[kth286]

Now its finally been sunny for the day got under the car and poked around the rear suspension to finally investigate the rear suspension problem.

Found no evidence of any loose bushes or other parts but noticed that one of the rear shocks has completely gone.

Ben

How did you come to that conclusion?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Bear in mind that the dampers have a direct bearing on the way the car rides. A £25 shock "will do" but a Mercedes damper, or a high-quality equivalent from Bilstein, will cost a little more but give a better result for a longer period of time

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Totally agree with Nick. Stop trying to cut costs and realise the true value of your car. Changing them with an indie should cost no more than £60 for the pair.

 

[d215yq]

Thanks for the posts guys,

Came to the conclusion it was the shock as when the car is pushed down hard and let go the car continues to bounce 4 or 5 times (on the right rear). It also shows all the signs malcolm listed, so hopefully the new shocks should sort them out.

I don't mind spending a bit more if it will improve the ride but not neccessarily convinced that the £120+VAT shocks my indie recommended will be any better than £25 shocks, as he didnt say it would be a merc quality part anyway. he also said it would be between 2 and 2 half hours labour so again also think he maybe confused or overcharging with that as well so dont think ill use him.

I'll look into the price of merc and Bilstein ones for comparison before i get the £25 ones. Appreciate some people want to get only the best parts for their cars but I'm only 23 and happy just to have my merc and as long as it runs reasonably well, not too keen to spend more on it than necessary, afterall its probably worth no more than £1k in current market. Would be interested to know if theres been any horror stories regarding shocks bought from GSF or Eurocarparts

 

[television]

Thanks for the posts guys,

Came to the conclusion it was the shock as when the car is pushed down hard and let go the car continues to bounce 4 or 5 times (on the right rear). It also shows all the signs malcolm listed, so hopefully the new shocks should sort them out.

I don't mind spending a bit more if it will improve the ride but not neccessarily convinced that the £120+VAT shocks my indie recommended will be any better than £25 shocks, as he didnt say it would be a merc quality part anyway. he also said it would be between 2 and 2 half hours labour so again also think he maybe confused or overcharging with that as well so dont think ill use him.

I'll look into the price of merc and Bilstein ones for comparison before i get the £25 ones. Appreciate some people want to get only the best parts for their cars but I'm only 23 and happy just to have my merc and as long as it runs reasonably well, not too keen to spend more on it than necessary, afterall its probably worth no more than £1k in current market. Would be interested to know if theres been any horror stories regarding shocks bought from GSF or Eurocarparts

I understand where you are coming from, to a degree a shock is a shock, and no one has ever complained with those from GSF / Euro

 

[brianbrian]

I can not see why, it should take more than 1hour to fit two rear shocks on a 124model

 

[kth286]

d215yq

If you put your VIN up someone will tell you exactly the price of a new Merc shock for your car.

For my similar car, the rear shock is £79.35 inclusive of VAT.

You will normally be able to get 10% off that.

There is NO need to replace both shocks on standard car (non sportline chassis) according to Mercedes manual.

Merc shocks can be good for lifetime of car and my standard Merc shocks are made by Bilstein.

 

[d215yq]

Thanks David

VIN is 124042 2c 282909 9

Will replace both as the other shock has done 140k miles and the rear wheels have never absorbed the bumps as well as the front, even before one failed completely.

 

[d215yq]

Finally got round to fitting the rear shocks with the help of a mate, hardest part was getting the boot lining out!

Car now rides better than I can remember and has emliminated all the symptoms so very happy with the GSF shocks and all thats left to say is thanks to everyone for their posts and help with this!

Ben

 

[television]

Thanks for posting back Ben with a good result