Replacing the front Bilstein shocks 1969 280SL

[Valvechatter]

When removing the old front shocks, do I need to have the front end off the ground and wheel/tire removed to be able to get sufficient leverage to compress the shock? Or, can I remove the old and install the new with the car on the ground?

Thanks.

Lin

[Tyler S]

It can be done with the wheel still on the car but you will still need to jack the car up and unload the suspension to get enough clearance for the shock to clear the Lower a-arm. Removing the wheel does make it much easier.
A trick to installing the new one is to compress it off of the car and then use a few zip ties connected together to keep it compressed. Install the shock, Secure the bottom nuts loosely and then cut the zip tie to extend the shock to the upper tower.

[Valvechatter]

Thanks! Got the job done this morning. Took about one hour and twenty minutes. The zip tie tip was the perfect suggestion! Certainly made the installation much easier. As car maintenance jobs go, this was a pretty easy one.

Lin