Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ VITO Bus (638) 108 D 2.3 (638.164), MERCEDES-BENZ VITO Bus (638) 110 TD 2.3 (638.174), MERCEDES-BENZ VITO Bus (638) 113 2.0 (638.114, 638.194), MERCEDES-BENZ VITO Bus (638) 114 2.3 (638.134, 638.194), MERCEDES-BENZ VITO Bus (638) 108 CDI 2.2 (638.194), MERCEDES-BENZ VITO Bus (638) 110 CDI 2.2 (638.194) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on MERCEDES-BENZ VITO 1 (W638) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Drive socket # 7 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Phillips screwdriver
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Microfibre towel
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. AUTODOC recommends:

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

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

Undo the fastening screws of the air filter cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 4

Release the air filter cover clips.
Step 5

Unscrew the fasteners of the vacuum pressure converter valve. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 6

Unplug the mass air flow sensor connector.
Step 7

Detach the air intake hose clamp. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Disconnect the air intake pipe from the air filter housing. Use a crowbar.
Step 9

Take off the filter lid.
Step 10

Cover the air intake hose with a microfibre towel to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the system.
Step 11

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6.
Step 13

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 14

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 15

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 16

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes Vito W638
Step 17

Remove the wheel.
Step 18

Clean the fasteners of the ABS sensor and of the brake hose which connect them to the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 20.1

Clean the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the shock strut, and those connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle.

Step 20.2

Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Unscrew the nut and remove the stabilizer rod from the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16.
Step 22

Make a mark on the camber adjustment bolt.
Step 23

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a tap wrench.
Step 24

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 25

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 26

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 27

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. Tip:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 28

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 29

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. 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 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Clean the shock absorber rod. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 32

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6.
Step 33

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 34

Release the coil spring.
Step 35

Remove the spring.
Step 36

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 37

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 38

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 39

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 40

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 41

Compress the spring.
Step 42

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing. Use a crowbar.
Step 43

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 66 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 44

Decompress the spring.
Step 45

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 46

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 47

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. Mercedes Vito W638
Step 48

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush.
Step 49

Treat the steering knuckle fasteners. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 50

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.
Step 51

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 52

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes Vito W638. Professionals recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 53

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 190 Nm torque.
Step 54

Secure the stabilizer link on the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 62 Nm torque.
Step 55

Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut. Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 56

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 58

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 59

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 60

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 175 Nm torque.
Step 61

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 66 Nm torque.
Step 62

Remove the cloth.
Step 63

Reinstall the air filter cover. Fasten it.
Step 64

Connect the air intake pipe to the air filter housing.
Step 65

Press the air filter cover clips into place.
Step 66

Screw in the fastening screws of the air filter cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 67

Plug in the mass air flow sensor conntector.
Step 68

Screw in the fasteners of the vacuum pressure converter valve.
Step 69

Fasten the clamp on the air intake hose. Use a drive socket #7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 70

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 71

Close the hood.
Step 72

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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