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How to change front suspension strut on Mercedes W204 – replacement guide
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Important!
This replacement procedure can be used for:
MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 CDI (204.000), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 CDI (204.001), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 (204.057), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CDI (204.023), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 (204.048), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 CDI (204.007, 204.006), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 320 CDI (204.022), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 Kompressor (204.046), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 Kompressor (204.041), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 230 (204.052), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 280 (204.054), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 (204.056), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 Kompressor (204.044, 204.045), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CGI (204.065), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 250 CDI (204.003), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 220 CDI (204.002), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CDI (204.022), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 250 CGI (204.047), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 300 (204.054), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CDI (204.025), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 CGI (204.049), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 CGI (204.048), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 220 CDI (204.008), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 220 CDI (204.002), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 CGI (204.031), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 300 (204.055) … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 CDI (204.000), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 CDI (204.001), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 (204.057), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CDI (204.023), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 (204.048), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 CDI (204.007, 204.006), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 320 CDI (204.022), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 Kompressor (204.046), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 Kompressor (204.041), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 230 (204.052), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 280 (204.054), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 (204.056), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 Kompressor (204.044, 204.045), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CGI (204.065), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 250 CDI (204.003), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 220 CDI (204.002), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CDI (204.022), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 250 CGI (204.047), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 300 (204.054), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 350 CDI (204.025), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 CGI (204.049), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 200 CGI (204.048), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 220 CDI (204.008), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 220 CDI (204.002), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 180 CGI (204.031), MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Saloon (W204) C 300 (204.055) … View more
The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.
How to change a front shock strut on MERCEDES W204 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for C-Class Saloon (W204) and other MERCEDES-BENZ models
Shock absorber
Alternative products

Wire brush
WD-40 spray
Brake cleaner
Ceramic grease
Copper grease
Torque wrench
Drive socket # 18
Drive socket # 21
Torx bit E12
Torx bit E14
Torx bit E18
Torx bit T50
21-mm strut nut socket
Wheel impact socket #17
Ratchet wrench
Flat screwdriver
Crow bar
Hydraulic transmission jack
Hydraulic strut spring compressor
Fender cover
Wheel chock
Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W204. Tip from AUTODOC:
- 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.
- Please note: all work on the car – Mercedes W204 – should be done with the engine switched off.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
- Step 1Open the bonnet.
- Step 2Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
- Step 3Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 4Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use Torx E12. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 5Secure the wheels with chocks.Step 6Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
- Step 7Raise the car.Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W204. AUTODOC experts recommend: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 8Unscrew the wheel bolts.AUTODOC recommends:Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W204
- Step 9Remove the wheel.
- Step 10Clean the fastener that connects the sway bar link to the suspension strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 11Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 12Remove the stabilizer rod.
- Step 13Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
- Step 14Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 15Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #21. Use Torx E14. Use Torx E18. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 16Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
- Step 17Remove the fastening bolts.
- Step 18Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a crowbar.
- Step 19Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.AUTODOC recommends:Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W204
- Step 20Remove the suspension strut.
- Step 21Set the suspension strut on the spring compressor tool.AUTODOC recommends: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 22Remove the dust cap from the suspension strut mount. Use a flat screwdriver.
- Step 23Compress the spring.
- Step 24Clean the strut piston rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
- Step 25Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use Torx T50. Use a ratchet wrench.
- Step 26Remove the top strut mount.
- Step 27Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.AUTODOC recommends:Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W204. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
- Step 28Release the coil spring.
- Step 29Remove the spring.
- Step 30Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
- Step 31Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.AUTODOC recommends:Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
- Step 32Install the spring on the shock absorber.
- Step 33Compress the spring.
- Step 34Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
- Step 35Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.Replacement: suspension strut – Mercedes W204. Tip from AUTODOC:Make sure that the suspension strut is installed in the correct position, according to the markings.
- Step 36Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use Torx T50. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 85 Nm torque.
- Step 37Decompress the spring.
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