W215 CL500 shocks

[Camper Tramp]

Hello everyone!

This is my first thread although I've been part of the club for years.

My beloved 2002 CL500 has just failed its MOT on front ball joints & leaking shocks. I have to admit I've had quite a shock (forgive the pun) at being asked for £1300 for each front shock. Does anyone have any cheaper options or know of anyone who can rebuild the old ones?

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

The ball joints can be filled or replaced (please have a search as there’s been a few threads on it). Cheaper replacement shocks are also available @Craiglxviii has a lot of info

 

[mioba]

who quoted that price a MB dealer. I am assuming it’s the airmatic struts.
Lemorder were OEM at the time. much cheaper.

look also on MB gebraucht teile or MB reman parts.

if it is the airmatic those earlier ones needed to be totally replaced as the bags were not separate.

Keep us updated!

 

[Wighty]

Won’t it be ABC rather than airmatic?

 

[mioba]

Lets see what the OP comes back with and if its more specific.

edit, just had a quick look its Bilstein that were OEM and it appears well be Abc. I see them on many sites in Germany at least for 800 with 300 on the old returns.

Many people replace them for coil overs - but no idea how that would affect the ride.

Must be similar in UK

 

[Flyinspanner]

That year CL500 will be ABC units, (not airmatic)

 

[SL63 Mark]

who quoted that price a MB dealer. I am assuming it’s the airmatic struts.
Lemorder were OEM at the time. much cheaper.

look also on MB gebraucht teile or MB reman parts.

if it is the airmatic those earlier ones needed to be totally replaced as the bags were not separate.

Keep us updated!

No, this is not correct. The 2002 CL had ABC struts, not airmatic. They can be wiped clean for the MOT. Not a problem as long as they are not leaking too badly and you keep the reservoir topped up. Balljoints can be injected with Resin. Mine were injected with resin 8 years ago, and still good.

 

[Camper Tramp]

Thanks for your replies. It does have ABC rather than airmail.

 

[Camper Tramp]

Lets see what the OP comes back with and if its more specific.

edit, just had a quick look its Bilstein that were OEM and it appears well be Abc. I see them on many sites in Germany at least for 800 with 300 on the old returns.

Many people replace them for coil overs - but no idea how that would affect the ride.

Must be similar in UK

Thanks for the heads up. Could you possibly steer me towards some of these German sites as the best I've found is Belgian & still over £1000?

 

[Camper Tramp]

who quoted that price a MB dealer. I am assuming it’s the airmatic struts.
Lemorder were OEM at the time. much cheaper.

look also on MB gebraucht teile or MB reman parts.

if it is the airmatic those earlier ones needed to be totally replaced as the bags were not separate.

Keep us updated!

Its actually ABC. Thanks.

 

[Naraic]

No, this is not correct. The 2002 CL had ABC struts, not airmatic. They can be wiped clean for the MOT. Not a problem as long as they are not leaking too badly and you keep the reservoir topped up. Balljoints can be injected with Resin. Mine were injected with resin 8 years ago, and still good.

Ball joints on an SL are different to the CL. They can be replaced easily on a CL.

 

[noonboots]

My MOT tester knows his stuff. He saw my ABC struts leaking and said it doesn't stop them working so just keep my eye on it. I couldn't stand the spots on the drive.

 

[LostKiwi]

You can get struts from AliExpress for reasonable money. @Craiglxviii used them successfully on his.