Mercedes W203/S203 front shocks replacement

[@mattbazza16]

Thanks for this video, it helped me a lot changing my front coil spring. This is a difficult job without a decent spring compressor and the special socket for the top nut. I couldn’t believe how far the spring has to be compressed, so the strut can be fitted.

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you, glad it helped.

[@Sim-ru6sr]

Hi mate good video. My avantgarde se C240 has a similar harshness on the front passenger when hitting pot holes - over speed bumps however it's not too bad. My springs also have the two yellow dots which from what I know is standard suspension ( I have checked out the VIN codes and it does not have sports suspension, the C240 never came with that option ) Question is, were your Meyle shocks the standard ones right, not sports ? Also could you recommend a UK supplier of shocks. I can only find Napa and Apec brands, thanks.

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you. Yes, my Meyle shocks were standard, not sports. I haven't had the car for 4 years now, but would try the usual places such as GSF, ECP or even ask a mercedes specialist. BMG autoparts also have a good selection for German cars

[@Sim-ru6sr]

@@GentilsGarage Thanks for the info. Last question, even with the aftermarket shocks, did the car handle well ?

[@GentilsGarage]

@@Sim-ru6sr yes, just as good.

[@Sim-ru6sr]

@@GentilsGarage Thanks. On yours, were both sides leaking ?

[@GentilsGarage]

@@Sim-ru6sr no they weren't, but past their best and still the original ones

[@stephenmezie7261]

Please could it be that the front shock are not of the same height? I bought a new set of shock and realized that it was 1½ inches shorter than the one to be replaced. On replacing it, the shocks were driving very bad with a breaking sound each time the tire gets into a pot hole and I had to replace it with the old one. My car is sw c220 cdi. Any help please?

[@GentilsGarage]

I think you’re right. It happened to a few people height shocks and they were shorter than the original ones

[@HETPEZB]

You skipped the most interesting part of how you removed the compressor after you install the upper bearing with a nut, because looks like you installed the compressor very close to the end of the spring and it was trapped inside the upper mount.

[@GentilsGarage]

I ran out of battery in the meantime hence why it shows a picture after. Anyway, you just slide tem off using a nylon hammer and only takes a couple of minutes. Without the Mercedes tool, the only way is to install the compressor as close as possible to the top and bottom of the spring as it is very tall compared to the shock shaft. However, the sports springs are easier to deal with as they are slightly shorter.

[@petergiannitsadis3561]

I asked the same question lol😂

[@petergiannitsadis3561]

Thank you I did mine today as you said I disassemble the compressor and then hit the clamps with a nylon hammer and they just sort of unscrew from the spring all good now my Mercedes drives and feels much better I did the rear one's as well much easier than the front ones 😊

[@petergiannitsadis3561]

Hi how did you manage to remove the spring compressor from the strut after de compressing the spring I saw you were struggling to remove it but you didn't show us how you did it thanks

[@GentilsGarage]

I wriggled the spring compressor out. Took a while though

[@petergiannitsadis3561]

I followed a another post where you say you disassembled the compressor and then hit clamps out with a nylon hammer it worked well I also did my rear one's as well today they were much easier to remove all good thanks for your video😊

[@joesaric1]

which manufacturer are the new shock absorbers and what was the price? i saw also that you have 2 yellow dots on the springs which means they are for elegance a chassis with increased ground clearance.

[@GentilsGarage]

joesaric1 the shocks were from Meyle and cost me around £100 for the pair. This car is an Avantgarde SE, but doesn’t have the optional sports pack, so it has from factory the same springs as the Classic and Elegance cars. This has been verified by Mercedes themselves when I enquired about this car.

[@joesaric1]

​@@GentilsGarage did you have a 14 mm socket for the safety nut on top of the shock absorber bearing or can it be made without a socket? is it automatic transmission ?

[@GentilsGarage]

joesaric1 the socket for the top strut was 19, I think. The car is auto, yes.

[@joesaric1]

@@GentilsGarage do you have at rear springs then 2 gray markings like me on the elegance sedan

[@GentilsGarage]

joesaric1 Sorry, I can't remember and I just sold the car, so I'm unable to check.

[@serj_ivanoff]

nice job!

[@GentilsGarage]

Thank you

[@siulilomay628]

I recently have the front struts replaced. My mechanic charged me 6 hours to replace the front struts, front lower control arms ,sway bar links and new top mount bearings, perhaps a 10 mins test drive afterwards. Is that too long??? I know is not a fast job but I thought more of a 3-4 hours job.

[@GentilsGarage]

That sounds a bit long. The sway bar and drop links don’t take long and the struts only took me a while because I didn’t have the Mercedes spring compressor. Yes, I would say no more than 4 hours.

[@siulilomay628]

@@GentilsGarage Thanks for replying. It is hard not to get rid off by mechanics unless is your friend or relate to you in someway. I hope all they did is overcharging me for 2 hours but at least did a professional job.. I went to another mechanic in Oct 19 to get the rocket cover done due to slight leaking and it only lasted 2 years (While pretty much lockdown for a year during the 2 years with less than 7000 miles) and it leak in 4 different spots. rocket cover costs $70 and labour costs $300+ (never go back to that mechanic since)

[@braydonconstancio6830]

Exact same strut but orange and on a 4matic benz. Is there something different

[@GentilsGarage]

It might have a different damping rate

[@braydonconstancio6830]

@@GentilsGarage so could it be I have the wrong kit? Could it be a different dampener I need to install for the kit?

[@GentilsGarage]

@@braydonconstancio6830 I don’t know if the 4matic has a different suspension from the red cars, only that Elegance is softer than the Avantgarde and Sport. The only way to find out is to contact Mercedes, give them your VIN and ask if the struts are the same as the other RWD cars.

[@braydonconstancio6830]

@@GentilsGaragethanks for your help it all came into play.. it's the wrong bracket for rear wheel drive vs the 4matic vertical mounts. I have the wrong kit

[@GentilsGarage]

@@braydonconstancio6830 nice one, glad you got it sorted

[@joesaric1]

does it matter if the spring is turned up or down?

[@GentilsGarage]

Not sure. I’ve heard conflicting reports that the springs only have one way up, other where they saying doesn’t matter.

[@charlesfullmer4662]

Do u still answer peoples comments? If so, i cant line up the strut mount into the turret

[@GentilsGarage]

That’s strange, it should line up. Try rotate the mount

[@shyne5637]

Those shocks aren’t shot that’s normal they aren’t suppose to come up fast I’ve had brand new shocks that come up just like that that’s how it’s suppose to be when the rod doesn’t come up at all that’s when a shock is blown urs are comeing back up every time u push it down the old shocks are perfectly fine why did u replace them

[@GentilsGarage]

They are shot and I had this later confirmed by a Mercedes technician. They should rebound and also when I pulled the shaft up, they hardly had any resistance or drag. I replaced them because the car was crashing on speed bumps. Once it was all replaced, there were no more issues with suspension. The rear shocks were still good though

[@joesaric1]

what did you do on 17:30 to get the compressor out of the strut ?

[@GentilsGarage]

I dismantled the compressor and then pulled the plates out by turning the strut.and holding the plates.

[@joesaric1]

@@GentilsGarage we did it yesterday but it was very difficult to get the plate out from the upper rubber. We need almost 40 min. to get it out. Did you use also another little black compressor for the help to get the plates out ?

[@GentilsGarage]

@@joesaric1 it took me less than that, but it was either that way or to buy the exclusive Mercedes tool.

[@prettyboyexclusive6614]

Is that the same as the back maybe little different

[@GentilsGarage]

Back is completely different as it doesn’t have a McPherson strut

[@petergiannitsadis3561]

And the rear are easier to do you just replace the shocks the spring is located next to the shocks you will see it

[@joesaric1]

was the car more comfortable in the front after replacing the shock absorbers?

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes, there was a small difference. The big difference was that it didn’t crash on the potholes and handling was better too.

[@joesaric1]

@@GentilsGarage I have the opposite problem. After replacing the new front aftermarket Sachs springs, the front end became noticeably too hard and uncomfortable.

[@GentilsGarage]

@@joesaric1 shouldn’t happen. You must have had the wrong shock fitted. The ride should be more composed and refined, but not harder

[@joesaric1]

@@GentilsGarage the problem is in the springs because they are not original and therefore there is no original comfort. I once had the same problem at Peugeot, until I purchased the original springs, comfort did not return.

[@GentilsGarage]

@@joesaric1 the new springs you put, were they shorter than the old ones? The sport ones are shorter and actually easier to replace compared to the standard ones. Even aftermarket springs, if they are the same type as the old ones, there should be no difference in the damping. Sachs are OEM supplier of Mercedes and BMW and I fitted their parts to my cars and never had a problem.

[@jblack8149]

Why is mine not lining up with knuckle?

[@GentilsGarage]

Make sure that it’s properly seated at the top. Rotate the shock mount and reinsert

[@brillastecchi]

Meyle?

[@GentilsGarage]

Yes

[@АлексейКозлов-щ6й]

Болты бы хоть самазал

[@GentilsGarage]

yes, its hard work