Both shock absorbers of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
Warning! Shut down the engine before starting any work – Mercedes W203.
Carry out replacement in the following order:
Step 1
Open the boot lid.
Step 2
Raise the lower lining of the boot.
Step 3
Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.
Step 4
Unscrew the fastener of the central protective plastic panel. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5
Remove the central protective plastic panel.
Step 6
Remove the clips of the boot side lining. Use a clip removal tool.
Step 7
Remove the headlight rear cover.
Step 8
Remove the boot side lining.
Step 9
Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10
Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket #DD6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11
Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 12
Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 13
Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 14
Unscrew the wheel bolts.
AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W203
Step 15
Remove the wheel.
Step 16
Unscrew the fasteners of the control arm plastic cover. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17
Remove the control arm plastic cover.
Step 18
Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19
Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20
Remove the fastening bolt.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Mercedes W203
Step 21
Remove the shock absorber.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – Mercedes W203. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 22
Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Replacement: shock absorbers – Mercedes W203. Tip from AUTODOC:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 23
Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. Mercedes W203
Step 24
Install the fastening bolt.
Step 25
Screw in the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 26
Support the control arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 27
Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 28
Remove the support from under the control arm.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – Mercedes W203. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 29
Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 30
Install the control arm plastic cover.
Step 31
Screw the fasteners of the control arm plastic cover. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 32
Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 33
Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – Mercedes W203. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 34
Install the wheel.
AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Mercedes W203
Step 35
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 36
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 37
Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 38
Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 39
Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 30 Nm torque.
Step 40
Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 41
Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 42
Install the clips of the boot side lining.
Step 43
Install and secure the headlight rear cover.
Step 44
Install the central protective plastic panel.
Step 45
Screw in the fastener of the central protective plastic panel. Use Torx T40. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 11 Nm torque.
Step 46
Return the seat to its original position.
Step 47
Put down the lower lining of the boot.
Step 48
Close the lid of the luggage compartment.
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