Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W168) A 160 CDI (168.006), MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W168) A 190 (168.032, 168.132), MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W168) A 170 CDI (168.008) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front springs on MERCEDES W168 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Coil spring

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W168. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Drive socket # Е12 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Round-nose pliers
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W168. Tip from AUTODOC:

Both coil springs of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right coil springs of the front suspension.
Please note: all work on the car – Mercedes W168 – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #Е12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W168
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 12

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 13

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 14

Disconnect the brake pad wear sensor wire.

Step 15

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 18

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 19

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 20

Release the plastic strut mount retainers. Use round-nose pliers. Remove the suspension strut.
Step 21

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W168. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 22

Compress the spring.
Step 23

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 24

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W168. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 26

Release the coil spring.
Step 27

Remove the spring.
Step 28

Install the boot and a bump stop onto the shock absorber.
Step 29

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 32

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W168. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 33

Decompress the spring.
Step 34

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 35

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 36

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 37

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 38

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Mercedes W168 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 39

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 40

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 41

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 42

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Mercedes W168 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 43

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.
Step 44

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 45

Connect the brake pad wear sensor wire.
Step 46

Clean the mounting seats of the stabiliser link. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 48

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 49

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 50

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 51

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W168. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 52

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Mercedes W168
Step 53

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 54

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 55

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 56

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #Е12. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 32 Nm torque.
Step 57

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 59

Close the hood.

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