Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Saloon (W124) E 250 D (124.126, 124.129), MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Saloon (W124) E 300 D (124.131), MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Saloon (W124) E 280 (124.028), MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Saloon (W124) E 320 (124.032), MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Saloon (W124) E 250 Turbo-D (124.128), MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class Saloon (W124) E 300 Turbo-D (124.133) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front shock absorber and coil springs on MERCEDES W124 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for E-Class Saloon (W124) and other MERCEDES-BENZ models

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22-001856 BILSTEIN Shock absorber

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22-001900 BILSTEIN Shock absorber

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Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. 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
                    
                      HEX bit no.H6
                    
                      HEX bit no.H7
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Water pump pliers
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

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 W124. 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 absorber upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 5

Loosen the fasteners of the upper strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Don't unscrew it completely.
Step 6

Loosen the fastener of the strut piston rod. Use a combination spanner #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. Tip:
Don't unscrew it completely.
Step 7

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 8

Loosen the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 9

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 10

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W124
Step 11

Remove the wheel.
Step 12

Support the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 13

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 14

Compress the spring.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. AUTODOC recommends:
Be careful. The compressed spring is powerful and can cause injury if it comes loose.
Step 15

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Disconnect the wiring from the strut.
Step 17

Unscrew the lower fasteners on the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 19

Detach the strut from the steering knuckle. Use a crowbar.
Step 20

Clean the fasteners of the stabilizer bush brackets. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Unscrew the fasteners of the stabilizer bush brackets. Use a combination spanner #13. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 23

Remove the stabilizer bush brackets.
Step 24

Remove the coil spring together with the coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. AUTODOC experts recommend:
While the spring is compressed, do not do any operations on it.
Step 25

Remove the fastener of the shock absorber piston rod. Use a combination spanner #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 26

Unscrew the fasteners of the upper strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 28

Remove the strut mount.
Step 29

Remove the shock absorber dust boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Carefully inspect the dust boot and bump stop of the suspension strut. Replace them if necessary.
Step 30

Decompress the spring.
Step 31

Install the coil spring compressor on the coil spring.
Step 32

Compress the spring.

AUTODOC recommends:
Be careful. The compressed spring is powerful and can cause injury if it comes loose.
Step 33

Clean the coil spring mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 34

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 35

Clean the mounting seat of the suspension strut mount. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 36

Install the spring together with the compressor.

AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure that the coil spring is correctly positioned in its mounting seats.
Step 37

Install the top suspension strut mount.
Step 38

Screw on the fasteners of the upper strut mount.

Step 39

Install the dust boot and the bump stop.
Step 40

Install a new suspension strut.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it 3–5 times by hand.
Step 41

Screw on the fastener of the strut piston rod.

Step 42

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 43

Tighten the lower fasteners on the shock absorbers. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 44

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 45

Secure the wiring to the strut.
Step 46

Install the stabilizer bush brackets. Use water pump pliers.
Step 47

Install the fastening bolts.

Step 48

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 49

Decompress the spring.
Step 50

Remove the coil spring compressor.
Step 51

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 52

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use ceramic grease.
Step 53

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W124. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 54

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 55

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 56

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 57

Tighten the shock absorber rod nut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 58

Tighten the fasteners of the upper strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 59

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 60

Close the bonnet.

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