W210 front shock help needed

[Nick66]

Today i tried to change my front shocks,foolishly thinking that it simple enough even for me.Well,upon opening my new shocks I found out that rubber bushes and metal washers are different from what old shocks.

There were no included instructions in either box apart from the very general safety tips.
Inspecting the old shock
I concluded the one of new bushings included should come on top of the shock between the shock and the wheelarch hole.After removing the big rubber sleeve and concluding that nothing goes underneath it i figured that this should be the order
I installed it but it does not seem right and it is clunking when pressing on the wing to make it go up-down.This is how it looks installed,and the top bushing does not seem compressed like it is on the other side with the old shock
I am at loss because it seems to me that I cannot compress the top bushing from the top since the first nut can only travel to the end of the thread.I have feeling that the bottom washer should have been bellow the ruber bushing ,like this with the top of the wheelarch where my middle finger is.
I would be very grateful if somebody could point me in the right direction...

 

[onefortheroad]

Put your vin into 7zap website merc parts catalogue and look at front suspension. Theres ' bound ' to be a picture.

Or follow this guide.


https://www.pelicanparts.com/techar...SUSPEN-Front_Shock_and_Spring_Replacement.htm

 

[Nick66]

Thanks,but 7zap depicts shock like mine old one,the new one is listed as compatible with that part number (210 323 50 00),but obviously has different set up underneath from the top bushing to the body of the shock.Pelican guide is one of the guides that I looked before trying it myself.I think i'll drive around and see if the top bushing gets compressed.Thank you

 

[LostKiwi]

It should go big (from bottom to top)
Big convoluted rubber (bump stop).
Washer.
Rubber bush
Body
Rubber bush
Washer
Nut.

Just like your bottom picture.

 

[Nick66]

Thank you,will try it out

 

[mioba]

not sure about you, but I got a few magneti marelli parts in thepast for other cars from ECP, I always had fitting issues and never thought too highly of the quality, anyway not to distract, hope you get it sorted!

 

[Nick66]

Thanks,Mioba I think this is the last magnetti crapelli part I will ever get,to make things worse I also had a pair of Monroes in the parts stash but could not be bothered to dig them out,magnetti was on top and I thought it was probably the same quality wise.On top of that old shocks actually look ok and did not feel spongy or floaty but I had the parts sitting around for 3 years taking up space and fancied a challenge/learning.I sure got what I asked for...

 

[Nick66]

Here is the latest:just driven 6 miles and can confirm that my original set up was wrong,it was very clonky lol.Came back and set out to try in the order as LostKiwi kindly suggested.Managed to round off bottom 17 mm bolt by accidentally reversing my DeWalt impact wrench while holding it and proceeded to strip it thinking I am undoing it.Left it in place since it is now safely torqued to about 950 Nm.Undid the top 2 screws ,removed the wheel, lifted the car and pushed the shock back enough to swap bottom rubber bush and metal washer.Car down and after fiddling with top bush decided to use the old bush which was rounder and easier to fit.Used the impact wrench on the lowest setting to slowly drive the first nut and it compressed like it is on the other side with the old shock.put the other nut and now the top looks ok to me and it does not make noises when rocking the car..The set up underneath still does not look right to me.It only stays until I get damaged nut remover ( I will get my money's worth out this one lol) then i will put Monroes.

 

[Nick66]

It just occured to me that maybe i should push the big rubber sleve up to touch the bottom washer...

 

[LostKiwi]

It just occured to me that maybe i should push the big rubber sleve up to touch the bottom washer...

It'll move up as soon as you hit a decent bump.

 

[Nick66]

Oh, I better speed over the speed bumps then .LostKiwi did you ever fit similar shock absorber yourself? Thanks

 

[LostKiwi]

Over the past 40 years? Lost count.
It's a standard mounting system.

 

[Nick66]

Thanks,very reassuring,now I can attack speed bumps without fear....Thanks

 

[onefortheroad]

Thanks,very reassuring,now I can attack speed bumps without fear....Thanks

Thats ok if you fancy snapped springs.

 

[LostKiwi]

As above speed bumps are spring and wheel worst enemies. Springs snap, wheels bend.

 

[Nick66]

LOL,I was joking with the speed bumps,however my stash of parts includes 4 new springs and 4 alloys waiting for DIY refurbishment...Thanks

 

[Nick66]

Update,changed the other front shock,it went really easy now.After driving for few miles it actually feels better,tighter than before.I don't think that the previous shocks were the original ones(120k miles),there was no leaking,not too much rust on the casings,and still felt stiff to compress by hand,but the new ones are definetely better.In a week or so will do the rears,and also have to empty the boot to see how it sits without 150 pounds of weight ( now the rear is quite low) and see whether to change the coil springs...

 

[Blobcat]

Update,changed the other front shock,it went really easy now.After driving for few miles it actually feels better,tighter than before.I don't think that the previous shocks were the original ones(120k miles),there was no leaking,not too much rust on the casings,and still felt stiff to compress by hand,but the new ones are definetely better.In a week or so will do the rears,and also have to empty the boot to see how it sits without 150 pounds of weight ( now the rear is quite low) and see whether to change the coil springs...

One thing I see a lot whilst driving along is wheels bouncing because of worn shockers. I don’t think the owners have a clue (well not until they pile into the back of the car in front because they can’t stop).
After 120k miles I doubt they were in the best condition as you’ve noticed now you’ve changed them.

 

[Nick66]

Yes it is better,but I don't think they were the original factory fit shocks,they felt better / tighter than my previous 1998 E320 with 167k or my other 2000 e240 with 120k,hence I kept this one and scrapped/sold other two.I hope that when I change rear shocks ride will be even nicer.Thanks

 

[om613]

It can seem hard to justify spending on OEM springs and dampers for these older MBs bordering on 'bangernomics' territory (not destined to retain any projected classic car value), when faced with the plethora of '£20 alternatives' easily found on-line. Free postage and it turns up in a matter of days. Yay!

Nay! The reality is that these very cheap pattern parts can last just months, assuming they fit.
A good, used, aged original MB part is a better bet ... but not quite as easy to buy, generally.