This is one of the few jobs that i highly recommend you let a mechanic do. It just sucks so much ass, having to compress the spring manually and then trying to get the mf’er back in the wheel well when new. You are still a man if you pay someone to take this one for you. ;)
Thanks for the video. Mercedes didn't want to instal the strut assemblies I bought so I'm in this alone. Done it on all my volvos but luckily they're volvos. I may have one more fight in this old body and this helps. Man.
Thanks for this video! On my 2011 ML 350, I was able to get the passenger side off without loosening the axle nut, on the driver's side I had to remove the axle shaft from the knuckle to gain clearance. That side was not fun.
Thank you for the information in your video. We had no issues doing this and complete suspension for our Santa Fe Sport or BMW 320xi. Our 2011 ML 350 W164 is still a work in progress with frustrations. We changed upper and lower control arms and ball joint and bushings but even after using 4 heavy duty spring compressors we still couldn't compress enough.. After 6 auto shops we finally had it compressed and assembled but the lack in professionalism by the European Auto shop to ensure and ask about orientation just made this more frustrating when we picked up the unit and tried to assemble today.... Going to try the spring compressors again on the weekend. May just end up purchasing preassembled by Mercedes stealership. .....ughhh
I have my own 2010 ML 350 so what your doing I’m watching closely. I’m sure mine will need that maintenance in the near future . Only good thing is our outside temps are rarely near 80°
I tried to get a shop to swap springs on removed struts before, not one of them would do it. Blew my mind. Buch of bullshit excuses. In reality, they just want to sell you the parts so they can mark them up. I ended up getting a loner spring compressor from auto parts store and used it along with the one i owned, so double compressed. This was on a truck. This benz actually looks much easier.
I have ml280 cdi with air suspension with ads. I am going to use spring system and regular gas strut and shock(front and rear). Is it possible by loosing ads?. Detroit or Suncore are selling strut replacement kit for front. Please recommend me.
I know people have replace the air struts with a regular gas strut but i don't have any experience with that. I would say go to the forum MBworld.org you might find the information you need.
I just got a new pair of front struts base. When I remove the old one it has only two shims and the new mount have like 10 shims. Does all shims have to be used?
Hey where are you located? Just wondering if you’d be interested in doing this job on my ML550? I’ll buy the parts from FCP euro, just give me a price for labor. Seems like you know what you’re doing, I’m in the Bay Area.
My '06 ML350 still has the original front shockers ar 220K. It still drives and handles perfectly. No unusual wear on the tyres either.
This is one of the few jobs that i highly recommend you let a mechanic do. It just sucks so much ass, having to compress the spring manually and then trying to get the mf’er back in the wheel well when new. You are still a man if you pay someone to take this one for you. ;)
LOL thats funny you say that, bc I'm probably letting my homie's shop handle this due to the insane amount of trouble with the new shocks and springs
I see why AL so slim,he's doing all the work!!!!
Thanks for the video. Mercedes didn't want to instal the strut assemblies I bought so I'm in this alone. Done it on all my volvos but luckily they're volvos. I may have one more fight in this old body and this helps. Man.
Yeah just take your time I'm sure you can get it done.
Thanks for this video! On my 2011 ML 350, I was able to get the passenger side off without loosening the axle nut, on the driver's side I had to remove the axle shaft from the knuckle to gain clearance. That side was not fun.
glad it could help a little
Thank you for the information in your video. We had no issues doing this and complete suspension for our Santa Fe Sport or BMW 320xi. Our 2011 ML 350 W164 is still a work in progress with frustrations. We changed upper and lower control arms and ball joint and bushings but even after using 4 heavy duty spring compressors we still couldn't compress enough.. After 6 auto shops we finally had it compressed and assembled but the lack in professionalism by the European Auto shop to ensure and ask about orientation just made this more frustrating when we picked up the unit and tried to assemble today.... Going to try the spring compressors again on the weekend. May just end up purchasing preassembled by Mercedes stealership. .....ughhh
I have my own 2010 ML 350 so what your doing I’m watching closely. I’m sure mine will need that maintenance in the near future . Only good thing is our outside temps are rarely near 80°
I tried to get a shop to swap springs on removed struts before, not one of them would do it. Blew my mind. Buch of bullshit excuses. In reality, they just want to sell you the parts so they can mark them up. I ended up getting a loner spring compressor from auto parts store and used it along with the one i owned, so double compressed. This was on a truck. This benz actually looks much easier.
I'd like to know how you removed the big nut at the top of the shock. How did you hold the shock cylinder while applying torque?
We used a impact to take it off and a spring compressor to hold the spring down.
You guys need to open up your own shop!!!
yeah I don't know about that.
Drink water really easy to get dehydrated in this weather!
Furthermore, how did you remove the drive shafts from the transaxel? Did they just fall out or did you use a puller tool?
Yeah one side popped out the other we used a puller tool so i would suggest having one on hand.
I have ml280 cdi with air suspension with ads. I am going to use spring system and regular gas strut and shock(front and rear). Is it possible by loosing ads?. Detroit or Suncore are selling strut replacement kit for front. Please recommend me.
I know people have replace the air struts with a regular gas strut but i don't have any experience with that. I would say go to the forum MBworld.org you might find the information you need.
I just got a new pair of front struts base. When I remove the old one it has only two shims and the new mount have like 10 shims. Does all shims have to be used?
I'm not sure But what i do is measure the old one and use the same for the new one.
@@ProjectZGarage perfect so i keep the same amount of shims
do you need wheel alignment after changing the front?
Yes You should get one after any major suspension work.
👌🏾
Hey where are you located? Just wondering if you’d be interested in doing this job on my ML550? I’ll buy the parts from FCP euro, just give me a price for labor. Seems like you know what you’re doing, I’m in the Bay Area.
Sorry for the down like but this video doesn’t show much!
Bum fight mechanics
How much time need to replace both sides?
it took us the better part of a day to finish both sides.