Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ 190 (W201) E 1.8 (201.018), MERCEDES-BENZ 190 (W201) 2.0 (201.023), MERCEDES-BENZ 190 (W201) 2.0 (201.023), MERCEDES-BENZ 190 (W201) E 2.0 (201.024), MERCEDES-BENZ 190 (W201) D 2.0 (201.122) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front shock absorber and coil springs on MERCEDES W201 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Springs for 190 (W201) and other MERCEDES-BENZ models

Coil spring

        Coil spring for 190 (W201) Petrol (109 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 190 (W201) Petrol (102 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 190 (W201) Petrol (105 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 190 (W201) Petrol (122 hp)
      
        Coil spring for 190 (W201) Diesel (75 hp)

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W201. List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        All-purpose cleaning spray
                      
                        Ceramic grease
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #13
                      
                        Combination spanner #19
                      
                        Combination spanner #22
                      
                        Drive socket # 13
                      
                        Drive socket # 19
                      
                        Drive socket # 22
                      
                        Shock absorber socket # 19
                      
                        Shock absorber socket # 22
                      
                        HEX bit no.H6
                      
                        HEX bit no.H7
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Tap wrench
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W201. AUTODOC recommends:

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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W201. Use the following procedure:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 2

Loosen the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 3

Raise the car.

AUTODOC recommends:
If you are using a jack, make sure it rests on a flat surface without any unevenness.Be sure to additionally secure the car with jack stands.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W201
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Support the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 7

Install the coil spring compressor on the coil spring.

AUTODOC recommends:
Use adapters and jaws of the appropriate size.The sping coils should be securely fixed with the coil spring compressor.Use high quality coil spring compressors.
Step 8

Compress the spring.

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W201. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Be careful. The compressed spring is powerful and can cause injury if it comes loose.
Step 9

Clean the fasteners of the stabilizer bush brackets. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10

Unscrew the fasteners of the stabilizer bush brackets. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Remove the fastening bolts.

Step 12

Remove the stabilizer bush brackets.
Step 13

Detach the anti-roll bar from the suspension arms.
Step 14

Clean the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15

Clean the control arm fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Make marks on the camber bolts.
Step 17

Unscrew the front fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Unscrew the rear fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 19

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 21

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Mercedes W201 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 22

Disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.
Step 23

Remove the coil spring together with the coil spring compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
While the spring is compressed, do not do any operations on it.
Step 24

Clean the coil spring mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 25

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 26

Decompress the spring.
Step 27

Put the coil spring compressor on the new spring.

AUTODOC recommends:
The position of the compressor on the new coil spring should be the same as on the old one.
Step 28

Compress the spring.

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W201. Tip:
Be careful. The compressed spring is powerful and can cause injury if it comes loose.
Step 29

Install the spring together with the compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure that the coil spring is correctly positioned in its mounting seats.
Step 30

Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle.
Step 31

Support the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.

Step 32

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 33

Tighten the fastener connecting the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 75 Nm torque.
Step 34

Decompress the spring.
Step 35

Remove the coil spring compressor.
Step 36

For tightening the fasteners correctly, you have to jack up the suspension components to their working position.
Step 37

Adjust the position of the camber bolts according to the marks.

Step 38

Tighten the front fastener of the arm. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 39

Tighten the rear fastener of the control arm. Use a combination spanner #22. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 40

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Replacement: coil springs – Mercedes W201. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 41

Clean the brackets of the anti-roll bar bushings. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 42

Attach the anti-roll bar to the suspension arms. Use a crowbar.

Step 43

Install the stabilizer bush brackets.
Step 44

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 45

Tighten the fasteners on the anti-roll bar bush brackets. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 46

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 47

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use ceramic grease.
Step 48

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 49

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 50

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 51

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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