Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 180 (203.035), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 200 Kompressor (203.045), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 320 (203.064), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 200 CDI (203.004), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 270 CDI (203.016), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 220 CDI (203.006, 203.008), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 180 Kompressor (203.046), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 200 Kompressor (203.042), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 200 CDI (203.007), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 200 CGI Kompressor (203.043), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 230 Kompressor (203.040), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 220 CDI (203.008), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 320 CDI (203.020), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 280 (203.054), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 350 (203.056), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 230 (203.052), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 32 AMG Kompressor (203.065), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 30 CDI AMG (203.018), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 55 AMG (203.076), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) C 220 CDI (203.006) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front strut mount on MERCEDES-BENZ W203 C-Class [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Repair kit, suspension strut

Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Tools you need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      HEX bit No.H7.
                    
                      HEX bit No.H12.
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Drive socket # 19
                    
                      Drive socket # 21
                    
                      14Х2.5-mm strut nut socket
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Nippers
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Tip from AUTODOC:

The replacement procedure is identical for the mounts of the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All mounts of the front shock struts should be replaced simultaneously.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Use the following procedure:

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 fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H7. 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 W203
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 brake hose bracket. Use nippers.
Step 14

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 15

Disconnect the brake pad wear sensor wire.
Step 16

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the upper fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use HEX No.H12. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a tap wrench.
Step 18

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #19. Use a tap wrench.
Step 20

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 21

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 22

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 23

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 24

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 25

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W203
Step 26

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 27

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Professionals recommend:
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 28

Compress the spring.
Step 29

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 30

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a 14Х2.5-mm strut nut socket. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 31

Remove the top strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 32

Treat the upper shock strut mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Install a new top shock strut mount.
Step 34

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a 14Х2.5-mm strut nut socket. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Be sure to position the filtering element correctly. Avoid misalignment.
Step 35

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 36

Decompress the spring.
Step 37

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Mercedes W203 – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 41

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 42

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.
Step 43

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 44

Screw in the upper fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 45

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 46

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.

Step 47

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 48

Screw in the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 49

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 50

Tighten the upper fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H12. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 100 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 51

Secure the brake hose bracket. Use nippers.
Step 52

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 53

Connect the brake pad wear sensor wire.
Step 54

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

Step 55

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 56

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 57

Treat all joints of the stabiliser link. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 59

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: strut mount – Mercedes W203. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 60

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Mercedes W203
Step 61

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 62

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 63

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 64

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 65

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 66

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 67

Close the hood.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W203) model

Mercedes W203 tyre size

How to change front lower arm on Mercedes W203 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.02 MB
How to change front wheel bearing on Mercedes W203 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.76 MB
How to change rear suspension lower control arm on Mercedes W203 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.91 MB
How to change rear anti roll bar links on Mercedes W203 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.34 MB
How to change track rod end on Mercedes W203 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.61 MB
How to change front anti roll bar links on Mercedes W203 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.27 MB

How to change front strut mount on MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Coupe (CL203) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.39 MB
How to change front strut mount on MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class T-modell (S203) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.39 MB
How to change strut mount on a car – replacement tutorial

Universal

Free download PDF
1.04 MB
How to change front strut mount on Mercedes W169 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.16 MB
How to change front strut mount on Mercedes W168 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.39 MB
How to change front suspension strut on Mercedes W201 – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.11 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

5 Ways You’re Scrubbing Your Car Wrong | AUTODOC Tips

5K views

Published on: 23/09/2021
How do EGR valves work? | AUTODOC

23K views

Published on: 18/07/2020
DIY starter repair | AUTODOC tips

158K views

Published on: 31/08/2023
How to tighten cylinder head bolts

13K views

Published on: 06/03/2025