[CuzysHot]

Hi everyone! Im about to replace the rear struts on my '98 ML320 and have read the great diy write ups but I still have a couple questions.

1. Which bolts are self-locking?
2. Do I tighten the control arm and lower strut bolts or just the lower strut bolt with the weight on the wheels?
3. And with the 163-320-23-13 struts is it necessary to enlarge the hole enough for the shaft to drop through completely or is there another way around this?

Thanks for the help and sry for bringing up such a talk about topic again. I just want to make sure I covered every aspect of the job before I attempt to replace. Its better to get it right the first time

 

[Alex L]

Hi everyone! Im about to replace the rear struts on my '98 ML320 and have read the great diy write ups but I still have a couple questions.

1. Which bolts are self-locking?
2. Do I tighten the control arm and lower strut bolts or just the lower strut bolt with the weight on the wheels?
3. And with the 163-320-23-13 struts is it necessary to enlarge the hole enough for the shaft to drop through completely or is there another way around this?

Thanks for the help and sry for bringing up such a talk about topic again. I just want to make sure I covered every aspect of the job before I attempt to replace. Its better to get it right the first time

1. None. There are no bolts except for two 4 inch bolts holding the lower control arm. You may want to buy a set of nylon nuts 3x M8 for top mount and 1x M12 for lower bolt. My ML came with oval not nylon nuts so i just reused those.

2. I didn't get your question, sorry. If you are asking about how to remove the strut, then with your truck on stands and wheel off, lift the lower control arm for up to two-three inches using the jack and undo the lower nut. Then three nuts on top of the mount and finally those two long bolts holding the control arm. Lower the control arm at points where it was held by the bolts and remove the strut.

3. If you strut doesn't fit, dremel the hole. The other way around is to buy newer control arm. I used the same shock p/n as you and didn't have to enlarge anything. Strut went straight on. So check if your parts fit normally before doing anything.

 

[43sqd]

Here is a blow up diagram and instructions. Just be careful.

 

[CuzysHot]

Thx CAHEK and 43sqd for the help. Unfortunately I cant remove the lower strut bolt bc the shaft keeps spinning. I tried the t30 and a wrench but that didnt work and also tried with the weight of the vehicle on the shock and also no luck. Is there abother way to remove this bolt

 

[43sqd]

With the suspension hanging, have someone clamp the piston shaft (shiny rod) in between the coils, with a large vise grip or large channel lock, while you hold the nut and turn the torx.

 

[supradupe]

Thx CAHEK and 43sqd for the help. Unfortunately I cant remove the lower strut bolt bc the shaft keeps spinning. I tried the t30 and a wrench but that didnt work and also tried with the weight of the vehicle on the shock and also no luck. Is there abother way to remove this bolt

I found this the hard way, but if you have an impact wrench, that sucker will come out in no time. when I did this replacement two years ago, I the lower nut was stuck, I broke at least 3-4 of those torx bit and still wasn't able to remove the lower nut. I then bought an impact wrench and pound that nut out in no time.

the top 3 nuts are self locking, the MB instruction tells you to replace them when replacing the spring assembly. The lower nut should also be replaced per instruction. I found it much easier to do the reinstall when new hardwares are used.

 

[Darkmann]

Here's also a good write-up on the subject. Hope it helps:The M-Class Outpost - The M-Class Enthusiasts' Site

 

[CuzysHot]

Thx again everyone for the help. I finally removed the strut and replaced with new one. The bolts were very bad so now my truck is sitting on jack stands bc I cant find replacment nuts anywhwere. I know the top three bolts are M8's, the lower is M12, but what is the size of the lower control arm nuts? I'm looking for exact replacment flanged hex nuts unless I can replace with a substitute thats equal or better than OEM. Does anybody know where to go?

 

[Darkmann]

Thx again everyone for the help. I finally removed the strut and replaced with new one. The bolts were very bad so now my truck is sitting on jack stands bc I cant find replacment nuts anywhwere. I know the top three bolts are M8's, the lower is M12, but what is the size of the lower control arm nuts? I'm looking for exact replacment flanged hex nuts unless I can replace with a substitute thats equal or better than OEM. Does anybody know where to go?

You can't get them from your local MB dealer?

 

[CuzysHot]

I probably can but the dealer is closed on sunday and I was trying to finish today but if i cant the dealer is my first stop tomorrow

 

[43sqd]

Thx again everyone for the help. I finally removed the strut and replaced with new one. The bolts were very bad so now my truck is sitting on jack stands bc I cant find replacment nuts anywhwere. I know the top three bolts are M8's, the lower is M12, but what is the size of the lower control arm nuts? I'm looking for exact replacment flanged hex nuts unless I can replace with a substitute thats equal or better than OEM. Does anybody know where to go?

The part numbers for the lower control arm nut and bolt are as follows:

Nut N910113014001
Bolt A0109908501