[300e90]

I noticed that the shocks on the W124 seem inextricably linked to the strut. Is it not possible to replace only the shocks without replacing the entire strut assembly on this car?

 

[Ivanerrol]

In Mercedes speak the front Shocks are called struts.

Front.
They are connected via a "rubber strut mount" to the body under the hood and to the axle assembly at the wheel end. The axle assembly is connected via a lower ball joint to the lower control arm.

Rear.
The struts are connected to the body in the trunk. You lift up the side mats to find the mounting positions. The other end is connected to the lower control arm.

Rears are easy to replace. - straight forward and logical.
The fronts are not so easy to replace without a little bit of advice.

 

[ps2cho]

Fronts and rears are both easy -- Just support the lower control arm with a jack, unbolt and remove. That's about it...Replace the strut mounts unless they are brand new.

 

[Zeitgeist]

Safety first

I've done both front struts and mounts with a jack below the balljoint, but you gotta be extremely respectful of the spring and not let the jack lower too much...especially with stock springs, which will bow outward alarmingly. They will do some serious damage to your body if they were to let go all of a sudden.

 

[augapfel]

^

Yeah, especially when rust has caused a spring to crack at the very bottom of the coil:

 

[Sam Fuller]

ARE THE SPRINGS EASY TO REPLACE? BECAUSE SOME PRIOR OWNER OF MY E320 LOWER IT BY HEATING THE SPRINGS, EVENTUALLY GOING TO REPLACE W/ EIBACH

 

[Ivanerrol]

ARE THE SPRINGS EASY TO REPLACE? BECAUSE SOME PRIOR OWNER OF MY E320 LOWER IT BY HEATING THE SPRINGS, EVENTUALLY GOING TO REPLACE W/ EIBACH

Get a set of Mercedes specialist spring compressors for the job. They can be rented.

 

[Real1shepherd]

+1
Use the tool rental program over @peachparts.

Kevin

 

[edcarls]

Is it not possible to replace only the shocks without replacing the entire strut assembly on this car?

The straight answer is no. You need to replace the entire front strut assembly. The shock absorbers' cylinder is the struts body itself. Unlike other car (i.e. BMW E30) the shock absorber cylinder (capsule) is inserted into the strut's body which allows replacement of only the shock absorber while retaining the struts.

 

[tuttebenne]

I bought the Klann type spring compressor off ebay for $211 delivered. Its the safest way to remove the struts. Even buying the tool just for this job has to save at least $200 over the cost of having the fronts and rears installed by an Indy.

As for removing the spring with the Klann tool. The fronts can actually be compressed and removed without removing anything other than the wheel. The rears (if I recall correctly) need to have the lower control arm dropped in one end in order for the spring to clear the LCA. I suggest dropping the LCA from the outer end because it will give a good view of the bushing. The outer bush fails on high mile 124s so spring removal time is a great opportunity to inspect these normal wear points.

 

[Zeitgeist]

I don't bother using my KLANN for the rears anymore. I simply remove the inner LCA bolt and drop it down with a jack--much much easier. I've removed the front springs without even pulling the rim. KLANN makes a sweet piece of equipment

 

[ps2cho]

You can remove the rear springs using the compressor, but its a tight fit. I safely twisted and pryed on the bottom of the spring to get it out.

 

[alia176]

In my local pick n pull, there are few MBs that are on stands with missing wheels and struts. The suspensions are simply in "droop" mode and the springs don't pop out as easily as one might think! As always, better be safe than sorry but I wanted to point out my observation.

 

[Real1shepherd]

As Pete said earlier, if you happen to have a spring with a crack in it, fooling around without a spring compressor can make a missile.

Kevin