[Cairnhill]

Just thought I'd share a surprise I got. A few months ago I replaced the original rear shocks with a pair of GasAbsorbs. I thought I'd check the MB number of the old ones;they are stamped 170 326 07 00. They were made by SACHS in Germany, the date stamp is 03/97(I have an August97-230). Then I looked up the parts manual; it gave 170 320 01 30 for rear shocks. They are a different size. Did Mercedes make a mistake in 1997 when they fitted them?
What number is on your(97 to 02) rear shocks, then? Your text here

 

[Guest]

Front shock and rear shock are 99.9% difference in lenght therefore the part number should also difference. It difference in lenght because the front suspension are design to travel more then the rear.

 

[16falcon]

They may have updated the part number. I have been in to get several different parts and they have a new part number. It is usually close to the old number, kind of like your example. The parts guy at the dealer puts my requested part number into the computer and the computer tells him there is a new part number for that particular "old" part number. I don't know why they change them other than maybe they are slightly mocified from the original. You could call a dealer and give him the part number off your old shock and see if there is a new part number associated with it.