Front Shock Install

[Harry]

Wow.  Compressing these front shocks is a chore (230SL).  I saw Joe's post on clamping the rubber boot to hold the shock compressed but my shock still won't quite seem to reach an angle where they will work into the seat on the lower control arm and the mount in the top of the wheel well.  I no longer have the old shocks but I am certain that I measured the new against the old and was satisfied they were equal length before discarding the old.

Any more useful tips?  Plus, if someone has the length (compressed and uncompressed) for the shock, it would be very helpful.

Thanks very much!
Harry

[Minerva]

From memory I think I compressed it out of the car and put a hose clip on the outer dust cover that held it compressed long enough to get it into place.
Keith

[Tyler S]

Used those large zip ties used in hvac duct work to hold the shocks in compression. Use a smaller zip tie to loop around the the upper mount and run the large zip tie trough it and around the base of the shock. Get the bottom bolts started then jack up the lower control arm to get it pointed in the right direction.

[ja17]

Angle the two lower bolts first, compress the shock, clamp around the rubber boot to keep the shock compressed and install. loosen the clamp slowly and guide the shock rod into the upper hole. Do not allow the shock rod to get out of place and  press upward on the inside of the sheet metal fender! I have completed many using this method.

[Charles 230SL]

Harry, I installed new front shocks on my 230SL a couple days ago and following JA17's advice made it quite simple. As indicated in his post, you'll want to angle the mounting bracket at the bottom of the shock first - I used my old shocks as a reference. The angle appears to be approx 15 - 20 degrees but it doesn't have to be exact. Pictures of my old shocks are attached.

[FresnoBob]

I was just planning to replace my front and rear shocks.  Which shocks are recommended?

[Harry]

Thanks very much everyone.  Installed them yesterday using the method Joe prescribed.  My only caution to add to Joe's (regarding the fender getting dented) is to also be safe.  The end of the shock advancing upwards could also pinch a finger pretty severely.

Thanks again,
Harry

(And I installed Bilsteins.)

[Tom in seattle]

I replaced with KYB “Gas Adjust”.  They are reasonably priced and work well.  These cars are not for race tuning and I would not spend to get a Bilstein adjustable shock.

[ja17]

Yes the KYB are a good value and are a alternative, but the Bilsteins are original and noticeable superior.