2011 Mercedes GLK X204 Rear Shocks - without removing side panels or fender liners - quick and easy

While replacing rear shocks on many vehicles is a 15 minute job, the Mercedes GLK is not one of those. The upper mounts are hidden behind the side panels in the rear, and also obscured by the fender liners. The "official method" for swapping shocks involves taking those panels and fender liners entirely out, but I show a way to get around these (unnecessary) steps, with a comprehensive description of the process, as well as the reasons behind a lot of options you have.
I also show a method for removing and installing the shock mount without special tools, using only the kind of tools that almost every DIYer has in the toolbox. I also show how it's done if you have the right tools (open-body socket set).
If this video helps you out, I'd appreciate it very much if you would like the video, and subscribe to my channel. That will make it much easier for you to find my (many) other videos relating to the Mercedes GLK, both current and future.

[@konnieblaze2116]

I need to do this job but have been avoiding! I have the shocks just need to get it done, Thanks, Im going to tackle it now.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@@konnieblaze2116 that sounds a lot like me before I did the job as well. Like most of these jobs, the official method for doing it is a lot more work than the lazy man's easy way out. :-) Going into the job, I was fairly certain that it could be done without pulling the panels entirely off. That saves about 2/3 of the effort, I would guess.

[@konnieblaze2116]

@@Mark_H_DIY I agree. My shocks are fine, the right rear is making a knocking sound from the top mount. Seems to be quite common from my research.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@@konnieblaze2116 not hard to believe!

[@chadwickalexanderjr1758]

Love and appreciate all your GLK content. Haven't had to use any yet, but I know I will.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

Thanks. They're great vehicles, and a lot easier to work on than some (most?).

[@Raiffi323]

This video saves life’s 😂 awesome video 💯 thank

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@@Raiffi323 it saves time, at least! ;-)

[@lukman8400]

Thank you!!!!! Is it much different for 4matic? I guess should be the same, no?

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@@lukman8400 the car in the video is a 4Matic, though it is the same on a RWD GLK.

[@lukman8400]

@ when going over speed bumps the rear is chirping/squeaking. Must be rear shocks, no? When i brake going forward, there is also one knock from the same rear area. No knock when braking in reverse.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@lukman8400 it could be a bushing in one of your rear control arms causing that, especially the knocking under braking. I'd recommend getting under the car and checking the conditions of the bushings for cracking or gaps, and see if you can move any of them with a pry bar too easily. Also check that the bolts that go through your control arms are tight. The one that adjust the rear toe in is notorious for being loose, because a tech at an alignment shop will have to drop a splash panel or two to tighten it properly.

[@lukman8400]

@ thank you! Forgive me for ignorance, when I check the bushings and bolts, can I go on a ramp or should I lift it on jacks so that suspension is hanging. :) Btw: great glk content! We have our for more than a decade and we love it.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

@lukman8400 you can do it either way, though I think it's probably a little easier with the wheels dangling.

[@salishigh]

Thank you for all contents on GLK. Did you feel any noticeable improvement in ride quality after rear or front shock replacements? My car is at around 150K miles.

[@Mark_H_DIY]

Funny enough, I never actually drove the GLK after I put in the struts, but before I did the rear shocks. The front struts really did make a big difference - surprising me, really... I had only noticed what I considered to be the first signs of worn struts, but the new ones made the (already good) ride very noticeably better. Honestly, I doubt I would have noticed the difference from the rear shocks - the old ones were really still in decent shape, and were no easier to get in and out than the new ones (showing that the gas charge was still as new). I don't regret doing the rears though, as I'm sure that they would have eventually "needed" to be replaced, so now I can enjoy new Bilstein B4 suspension on all four corners for the next 100,000 miles or more before I have to worry about doing it all again!