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Shock absorbers B6 bilstein

4K views 41 replies 7 participants last post by  Danial 
#1 ·
Hello MB lovers...my car is w210,year 2000 ,model E240 ,PS/KW 170/125 , 6 clyndiers european version car ..i 've just bought 4 shock absorbers ( bilstein b6 ) from germany and they need the vin no..... after i 've received the 4 shocks i 've been noticed that the front are shorter than rear by approx 1 inch.. is that normal ?? i ll install it on the stock springs same hieght they told me that the b6 are same OE hieght...waiting your opinions MB lover..
 
#16 ·
kindly update your user cp info.
 

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#8 ·
I did a post in the past re: lowering I think it was titled finally lowered and also did a side by side between comparison the existing one and the new one because the new one I got seems longer than my old ones. I think in your case all you need to do is try to match the length of the existing shock ie for the front and rear to the new ones and go from there.
 
#10 · (Edited)
I have B-6s on my 1999 W210 and I recall that they were about 1" shorter in the front (from the original fronts). I mounted them and there were no issues. I have since lowered the car with Eibach coil springs and there is still no issue.

EDIT:

Make sure you tighten upper nuts with suspension under load (car on ground).
 
#18 ·
Just match the length of the new shocks to the old ones. Ignore the front and back designation. If the shocks on the back are shorter, then use the new shocks that match the same length disregarding the way the manufacturer listed them.

This is a common problem with the W210. Shocks are listed backwards foe some reason so the only way to know which shocks you use is to match the length of the new vs the old.
 
#21 ·
front shock cross reference to newer Bilstein part

rear shock cross reference to newer Bilstein part

Bilstein product catalog for E240

I just presenting information from Bilstein for your car. What I don't know if
you intended to use shocks designated for "Sport" category. Generally, the
Sport is for lower ride or for firmer compression and rebound dampening.

Fact: even if the shock is shorter, the internals may still provide the same
length of travel as the regular shock, given my measured experience with
the E320 RWD Bilstein shocks. So if you decide to use your B6 shocks, once
you have them pulled, you can measure the shock's OAL once you compress
them and compare with your old shocks for verification.
 
#26 ·
i think that unless you have modified your car's suspension already, it would
probably be safer to install the shocks based on the Bilstein information. the
other anecdotal experiences we have may be noteworthy but none of us have
the exact same car or shocks you have...and therefore, I don't feel have a
direct bearing on what your install should be following. in the end, we're just
typing information thousands of miles away and it is your car, your money,
your time. if we're wrong we are not going to be there to help bail you out so
the safer thing would be to follow Bilstein's charts.

the other thing you can try is to post in the UK Mercedes forum in the hope that
someone who owns the same car may have information to share and directly
related to your model
 
#27 ·
i think that unless you have modified your car's suspension already, it would
probably be safer to install the shocks based on the Bilstein information. the
other anecdotal experiences we have may be noteworthy but none of us have
the exact same car or shocks you have...and therefore, I don't feel have a
direct bearing on what your install should be following. in the end, we're just
typing information thousands of miles away and it is your car, your money,
your time. if we're wrong we are not going to be there to help bail you out
so
the safer thing would be to follow Bilstein's charts.

the other thing you can try is to post in the UK Mercedes forum in the hope that
someone who owns the same car may have information to share and directly
related to your model
Danial,

As raymond - stated.
----

Also, there are literally hundreds of threads posted by other members on this forum on this very topic.
If you want other members input on this topic, take the time to use the search feature and read thru these threads so that
you can make an informed decision.

Try it, you'd be surprised on how much valuable input and information already exists on this forum alone, instead of just waiting for replies/responses.

The search engine feature is your best friend.
 
#29 · (Edited)
note the length differentials between OEM and Bilstein heavy duty replacements
I installed (2006). it is possible that I, too, noted the lengths when I was about
to perform the R&R and took photos and lost sleep, ergo the photos

front: Bilstein is about .5" shorter than OEM
rear: Bilstein is 1"+ longer than OEM

I don't think one needs to be overly concerned about the uncompressed shock
length. Leave that issue for the shock manufacturer. The spring determines
the ride height. The shock handles the motion control (dampening). just be
sure to install them right side up and on the proper ends :)
 

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