Bilstein can re-valve shocks at a price.

Having said that, I put HDs on the MIL's '88 560SL and am less than impressed with their handling. Nowhere near as crisp turn-in and handling as I'd hope for. Then again, the cars are GTs and not boy racer cars despite being labeled as Super Light cars.

 

Yes, I had Bilstein shocks re-valved in the past for Porsches but they were racing stock not B4 level. Bilstein is not interested in re-valving these. I have tried.

That being said I don't need a boy racer car, I have that covered. I just want to refresh the old components and set them back to new and make certain that I have a factory fresh, firm, competent ride.She is a great car and will be a great cruiser.

 

I was under the impression the front and rear shocks are functionally similar and can be mixed and matched. When i bought mine they definitely didn't look any different unless they changed things for the 560sl.

 

The front and rear shock are very different and Bilstein offered a comfort valved and a Heavy Duty firmer valving in the past. Only comfort is available today.

 

My bad, it's been awhile since I did my shocks.

Peachparts looks to have Koni adjustable shocks for our cars. You might be able to recreate the effect that you're looking for with them.

As for your other question, take a look at this:

AAZ Preferred 560SLFTSUSPKIT Suspension Control Arm Kit; Control Arms, Swaybar Links, Mounting Kits; KIT

Find AAZ Preferred Suspension Control Arm Kit; Control Arms, Swaybar Links, Mounting Kits; KIT 560SLFTSUSPKIT at discount prices in our extensive auto parts catalog. AutohausAZ offers a large selection of AAZ Preferred parts online.

www.autohausaz.com

Should get you pretty well sorted on the front end and the sway bar links on the rear. Remember, an inch of play or less in the steering is in spec per the FSM.

 

Other than Koni and Bilstein, the only other non-OEM shocks I am aware of is the Dkubus kit. Big big money.

Dkubus Blackline 107 adjustable suspension system | dkubus Pty Ltd

 

the only 2 brands i trust for anything any more is billy and koni......

 

and

Well there you go, have at them and report back what the konis are like.

 

Sounds like my choices are Koni and Bilstein. I was hoping for something with a firmer more performance oriented ride that Bilstein comfort shocks but no one has given me a reason to go with Koni so unless someone tells me that Koni is a better fit for a true performance ride I am going Bilstein. Someone convince me otherwise.

 

koni and billy have always been neck n neck no matter the brand, always matching eachothers parts, 2 identical setup alfa gtv6's 1 with koni 1 with billy , both felt the same, 1 fetta with OLD oem koni 1 with very dated billys, both again felt neerly identical to the newwer cars , rebuilt the suspension on a fetta and a gtv6 1 got new konis the other new billys, both handled identical again, and thats probably the best example i can give of side by side, ive put both under alot of things over the years, and have no sway to one or the other, but i always swing for the ones with "adjustability" unless its not availible

did some porsches too both with each, the only time you run into a weird "weak" shock is when you either opt out for "cheep", go with a "comfort" model, or for some reason the batch of non adjustables just suck

 

Did you ever get that list of front suspension and steering parts put together? Just purchased a red 1988 560SL, garage kept, looks almost new, but at 170k miles the bushings and shocks are obviously in need of replacement. So i am making a similar list and also finding that Bilstein HD are no longer available.. And if you finished (or even just started the project) any learnings that you would care to share.

 

The stock shock setup for the 560SL was HD up front and comforts in the rear. I find putting HD's in the rear makes the ride noticeably harsher. Especially if using bigger diameter wheels with low profile tires. Are there shocks still available from the dealer. They would be Sacks Boege brand?

 

Are there shocks still available from the dealer. They would be Sacks Boege brand?

Good question.

I'm done spending money this year...but my Bilstein HDs are now 17 years and 95,000 miles old. Might look into it next year.

 

Found Sachs Boge at AutoHaus for $50. Makes sense to have softer rears i guess, with a lot less weight back there than up front. Konis are available front and rear..will do some research here to see how people have liked those.

Also looking at all the bushings etc, and since you can no longer buy the upper and lower control arms with the bushings already in them, looks like you have to buy the bushings and then press out old one and press in new ones. Cheaper by far but much more of a pain in the ass!

 

Makes no sense to have front tires filled to 29 PSI and rears to 35PSI. But that's the factory spec. I thought the upper control arms came with new bushings.

 

Front upper and lower control arms come with the bushings and the ball joint already in, making install super easy for DIY. I would prefer those for sure, then i can do it myself. Problem is that new ones (the whole upper and lower control arm) are no longer available, just like Bilstein HD shocks or Koni yello (Sport) for the 560SL.

FYI looking on Konis web site, and looking at their 30+ page list of shocks per vehicle, all that is listed for the 560SL is standard Red, non-sport shocks. So, if they did provide those in the past, they no longer do.

 

Whole upper and lower control arms are definitely still available. I had the same thought process as you where buying the complete control arms with bushings and ball joints installed was cheaper than buying them separately, not to mention significantly increased ease of install. I bought mine from a dealership associated OEM vendor online for ~$200 a side.

Koni never sold yellow shocks for the R107. Any photos you see showing yellow shocks are likely just place holders. They did sell them for other Mercedes of our vintage, but none that fit R107 subframes.

 

Good to know on the Konis. Thanks.
If you have a link to the full front upper and lower control arms, for a 560SL, please provide. I have searched high and low and been unable to find. Plenty of places list them but click through and it’s “Out of stock”. 😭

 

They're cheaper than I remember actually, only $100 a side. I've had good experiences with MBOEMparts. They ship out of a dealership in Texas. Here's a link to the one I bought.

In terms of shocks, I went through a similar dilemma. There's a number of different brands available like Sachs, KYB, Bilstein (comfort and HD), Koni, and more. That's the off the shelf stuff before you get into more custom applications like Dkubus and Intrax. I tried and HD Bilsteins and wasn't too satisfied with how soft they were so I bought Koni reds. On the max setting they are far more firm without being punishing.

I skew far younger than the average age of user here so your mileage may vary depending on what you want. I'm not a fan of keeping up the pretentions of this vehicle solely being a 10 miles under the speed limit, cars and coffee chair equipped, boomer transporter so I've been stiffening things up. It's a phenomenal chassis that can much better than people expect.

 

What is the best option for front and rear shock replacement?

The originals may well have been Sachs. I have Sachs all round and they are fine.

And they were only around 70€ each so no complaints, especially as mine is the Sportline (W124) that takes different dampers.

Just find the MB part number and cross-refer to Sachs, Boge, Bilstein equivalents.

RayH

 

What nobby sent - tho this site is much cheaper than other other i have come across.

They do say they have the lower control arms, which nobody else has other than in URO and others that i aint buying. $462 for 107-330-24-07 (lower left control arm) and $603 for 107-330-25-07 (lower right control arm). But the weird thing is that the image that pops up for those shows the suspension system for a different Mercedes. Right part number, right list of vehicles it fits, right name of component, but wrong picture. Not instilling confidence for a $1000 purchase for the lowers only. Upper left (1073301407) is $444, and upper right is (1073301507) is $425, for another $900. So $2k for left and right upper and lower control arms with bushings.

I can buy all the front bushings (8 of them) and balljoints (4 of them) for these two arms for a total of $456 for all OEM (but missing L & R Lower ball joint). So $1500 cheaper but a lot of work, and need to buy the press tool for the bushings. See parts list below for future reference:

1. Left Upper Control Arm Bushings (1153301775) - $43 for Febi Bilstein per pair, $94 for OEM
2. Left Lower Control Arm Bushings (115 330 16 75) - $43 for Febi Bilstein per pair, $94 for OEM
3. Left Upper Ball Joint - cant find this part number anywhere
4. Left Lower Ball Joint (124 333 03 27) - $40
5. Right Upper Control Arm Bushings (1153301775) - $43 for Febi Bilstein per pair, $94 for OEM ( Same as Left Upper)
6. Right Lower Control Arm Bushings (115 330 16 75) - $43 for Febi Bilstein per pair, $94 for OEM (Same as Left Lower)
7. Right Upper Ball Joint - cant find this part number anywhere
8. Right Lower Ball Joint (124 333 03 27) - $40

 

As an add on to the above - who knows what the part number is for the ball joint for the upper control arms, left and right? I cant find it anywhere - only the whole upper control arm with ball joint and bushings already in place.

 

Somebody here did an "forensic investigation".. @reno4u2?

 

Here it is:

560SL Upper Control Arm Ball Joint...An Autopsy | Mercedes-Benz Forum (benzworld.org)

 

You sir are a genius...thank you thank you. Figured out how to use the search function to find a member, and then figured out how to search all their posts - and found exactly that post. Seems like we are screwed and Mercedes never even made a replacement ball joint - and you just have to buy the whole upper control arm! Guess it makes my job easier - just more expensive. $900 for both instead of about $300 for bushings and ball joint (if it was available). Called Pelican Parts and confirmed with a grumpy dude (its is Monday!) that this is the case. Thanks all for the help - much appreciated. First MB so steep learning curve....already ordered new speakers and head unit, hard top stand and cover, car cover, seat belt seat holders...and AC is not blowing cold and diving deep to figure that out. Clutch on compressor engages, heater control valve and aux pump seen newer and engage and appear to work fine, nest step is to measure R134 (converted 2 years ago) pressure. Will post a separate post once i am far enough along to know what to ask...

 

Replaced mine with Konis. Three adjustment settings. Very pleased.

 

Koni Special D (KON-26-1019)?

 

Part#: KON-30-1020 (rear)
Part#: KON-26-1019 (front)

check with your supplier. 👍🏼

 

Thanks for checking - and confirmed with a couple parts dealers online. I just had a hard time finding the rear.

 

Pelican Parts have the rears in stock I think. I can't remember where mine were from as the invoice is hiding – it was just an online supplier. Like you I had trouble finding physical stock in the US.

Mercedes KONI Classic Shock Absorber Koni KON301020 KON 30 1020 KON.30.1020 | Pelican Parts

KONI Classic Shock Absorber Rear Sold Individually InStock Ships Today!. Call (310)626-8765. May Qualify For FREE SHIPPING. Parts# KON 30 1020 KON.30.1020 KON301020.

www.pelicanparts.com

 

Thanks for the update...Yeah i think i saw a similar post for the H&Rs where they ended up using the H&Rs for the front only and stock on the back, because the H&R in the rear sat even higher than stock - and looked like the car was tipped way forward. Ill have to try and dig that up (found it - H&R Lowered Springs R107) and see what they did. I just don't want to take it all apart and then have to do that agin to get lowering springs in later....