How to change front shock absorbers MERCEDES-BENZ A W169 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for A-Class (W169) and other MERCEDES-BENZ models

Shock absorber

Suspension Strut

        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 200 CDI (169.308, 169.008) Diesel (136 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 170 (169.032, 169.332) Petrol (116 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 200 (169.033, 169.333) Petrol (136 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 160 CDI (169.006, 169.306) Diesel (82 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 180 CDI (169.007, 169.307) Diesel (109 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 200 CDI (169.008, 169.308) Diesel (140 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 200 TURBO (169.034, 169.334) Petrol (193 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 160 (169.031, 169.331) Petrol (95 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for MERCEDES-BENZ A-Class (W169) A 180 (169.032, 169.332) Petrol (116 hp)

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W169
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring. Use a crowbar.
Step 7

Disconnect the brake pad wear sensor plug. Use a crowbar.

Please note!
Some cars are not equipped with the brake pad wear sensor.
Step 8

Disconnect the brake hose mounting bracket. Use a crowbar.
Step 9

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

Step 10

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar. Use a combination spanner #16. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

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

Step 12

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 14

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.

Step 15

Lower the car. Open the hood. Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 16

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

Step 17

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #E12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the coolant reservoir.
Step 19

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W169. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 20

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 21

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Remove the stabilizer rod.

Step 23

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W169. AUTODOC experts 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 24

Compress the spring.

Step 25

Remove the protective cap from the shock absorber strut mount. Use flat screwdrivers (2 pieces).
Step 26

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 27

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 28

Remove the top strut mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 29

Release the coil spring.

Step 30

Remove the spring.
Step 31

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W169. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 32

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W169. Professionals recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 33

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 34

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

Step 35

Install the spring on the shock absorber. Compress the spring.
Step 36

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.

Step 37

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W169. Tip from AUTODOC:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 38

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 39

Install the protective cap onto the shock absorber strut mount.
Step 40

Decompress the spring.

Step 41

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 42

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.

Step 43

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #16. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 44

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 45

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.

Step 46

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #E12. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.+45°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 47

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

Step 48

Install the coolant reservoir.
Step 49

Remove the fender protection cover. Close the hood.
Step 50

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 51

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle. Install the fastening bolts.
Step 52

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle.
Step 53

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 54

Secure the brake hose fastening bracket.
Step 55

Connect the brake pad wear sensor plug.
Step 56

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 57

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar. Use a combination spanner #16. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
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.

Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W169. Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 60

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 61

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Mercedes W169
Step 62

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 63

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 120 Nm torque.

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