December 14th 2009
The worn out lower-arm ball joints [both left and right] were replaced when the car was sent to a workshop to repair/replace a broken water jacket cap. I didn't have proper tools to do the job.
2 x Febi Bilstein Ball Joints = RM230.00
The balls are always under stress of being split out of the sockets due to the suspension spring downward forces and are subjects to severe friction hence quick wear & tear - unlike in lower arms with McPherson struts where there is no static force [neutral] acting on the balls in relation to the sockets.
November 15th 2009
With proper tools, it is a very easy 'DIY' job to replace absorber struts and front brake pads on MB W124. The following what I did today...
Preparation
Tools required to replace shock absorber struts and mountings:
1. 18-in Torque Wrench handle
2. 19mm box wrench
3. 19mm ring spanner
4. 22mm ring or open-end spanner
5. 7mm allen key
6. 13mm box wrench with handle
7. Jacks [and wood block for safety]
1. Changing Front Absorber Struts
Started the 'dirty' job very early in the morning. First and foremost of course had to remove the wheel.
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For safety season, instead of leaving the jack to support the car weight I placed a wood block [30cm high] underneath. After removing the wheel I used jack to support lower arm from going down too much under the pressure of the spring when the shock absorber strut is removed. Next loosen strut shaft retaining nut [just LOOSEN only - did not remove yet] using 22mm ring spanner in combination with 17mm allen key as shown above.
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At the lower part of the strut there are three fastening bolts/screw to be removed. Two bolts at the back of the hub and a screw at the upper part as shown above. Removed them using 19mm wrenches.
After removing bolts and screws the absorber strut was hangging. Now look at the jack placed under the lower arm - without which the lower arm would have pushed down under the pressure of the spring which makes removing bolts and screw difficult. The strut was then removed by continuing loosening the nut at the top-end as mentioned earlier.
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Strut mounting was removed and the new absorber was 'dressed-up' with boot, bump stopper and mounting [ready to be installed] as shown above.
Installing procedure was reversal to the removing of the absorber strut.
Installation of the new SACHS absorber strut and cleaning of the surrounding area in the tyre well were completed!!
2. Changing Front Brake Pads
Changing front brake pads on MB W124 can be done DIY in just THREE simple steps- in fact one of if not the easiest.
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Step #1 loosen and remove upper retaining bolt then split open to remove worn out pads.
Step #2 drop in the new set of brake pad. Step #3 tighten back the retaining bolt and DONE in less than 5 minutes [excluding time to jack up and remove wheels].
November 14th 2009
After getting some 'advices' from myBenz forum finally I decided to have a try for SACHS. Hopefully they will not suck. By late afternoon my orders [SACH struts, absorber mounting, boots, bump-stopper and Jurid Honeywell brakepads] were delivered.
*Here are the breakdown costs:
f/SACHS 115 070 struts: 2 x RM255 = RM510
f/Absorber Mountings: 2 x RM70 = RM140
f/Boots: 2 x RM15 = RM30
f/Bump-stoppers: 2 x RM15 = RM30
Jurid Honeywell F/Brake pads: RM110
Total: RM820.00 - RM20 discount = RM800.00
November 13th 2009
To order Mercedes Benz OEM BILSTEIN or SACH shocks, etc...
November 12th 2009
There is squeaking sound like an old excavator hydraulic actuator... queek keookkk!!, when turning the steering wheel either to the left or right. Upon examination I found out both front absorber boots were torn off and gone. Bump-stoppers also broken.Batang absorber and rubber seals give out squeaking sound when rubbed against each other. Confirmed - the "queek keookk" sound was coming out from front suspension struts. Those absorbers need replacement anyway - the last time they were replaced around 5 yrs ago.
close-up view of the broken bump-stopper
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Hi,
ReplyDeleteGreat job there.
Have been following ur AHW blog, thought u r an outdoor kaki(cycling etc...), didn't realise a great DIY kaki as well.
Got to learn from u.
Regards,
http://ooifa-mythoughts.blogspot.com/2009/04/diy-change-stabilizer-bar-bush.html
Ooifa [sounds like familiar name in motoring]
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm DIY kaki on almost anything. It's my hobby actually - especially on weekends. Some ppl called me uncle.DIY, or just uncle.D, hee.. heee...
More often than not I maintain W124 myself since 15 yrs ago. I've also invested a lot on tools. W124 is one of the easiest cars to repair/maintain that's why I'm still keeping it.
cheers
Actually we have met,just didn't have chance to exchange notes.Each of us was sitting at the opposite end of the long PCM tt table at Sri Bayu, Penang on the sat nite of 24 Oct.( I didn't realise AHW was there until I saw the photos the next day)
ReplyDeleteI have a yr95 Pug 405 and a yr 94 W124 E280 in my garage.
Keep up the good work and keep posting.
What a small world indeed, and co-incidentally both of us have the same type of 'timeless antique' cars - 405 and W124. Now I've added two more new Pugs in my garage but don't know when shall I add the new three-pointed star... probably have to extend the garage first, ha haaa...
ReplyDeleteBTW I hope to meet u one day.
Wan,
ReplyDeleteWhat is your evaluation about the ride now, suspension wise?
Lots of improvement but surprisingly Sachs feel a little bit softer and comfortable than bilstein '2'. Before replacement the I felt like riding on a kangaroo - probably due to hardened and damaged absorber mountings which exasperated already failing struts.
ReplyDeleteExpecting much better ride after replacing rear absorbers and rear multi-link/sub_frame bushes.
Hi, Your instructions are indeed very clear, many thanks for help in replacing my front shocks - W124 E280 1994 model. Where do you usually buy your parts from, thanks. phillipc55
ReplyDeleteIn Kajang town center.
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is a very good blog. I saw the address at an old post at MyBenz. Keep up with these very informative posts. Sekali-sekala, you should provide links to here when they might be relevant to the posts there. This way, all the information already here will still be referred to.
ReplyDelete