Mercedes Benz C 300 4MATIC # S-32_25-82B Date: 111221
Suspension - Strut/Shock Absorber Replacement Guidelines
Date December 21, 2011
82
Order No. S-B-32.25/82b
Supersedes S-B-32.25/82a dated Dec. 22 2010
Group. 32
Revision History
Revision Date Purpose
b 12/21/11 All new text and added models.
a 12/22/10 Minor changes to last paragraph.
SUBJECT: MY-All, Models 124, 129, 140, 163, 164, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 201, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 215, 216, 218,
219, 220, 221, 230, 240, 245, 251, 463
Shock Absorber Replacement
General Information on Shock Absorber Variants
Do not replace both shock absorbers AIRmatic, ABC, ADS or adjustable suspension strut if only one is defective. Only a component that has been
diagnosed to be faulty (damper or suspension strut) may be replaced!
Noise Inspection
Reason for the noise should be determined by driving each side of the vehicle in turn over appropriate road surfacing or if possible by swapping over
the left and right component (damper or suspension strut). Before any replacement is made loosen and re4orque the corresponding
damper/suspension strut first and check whether this resolves the noise complaint.
Front
On the front suspension struts or dampers this need only be carried out on the top bearing mounting.
Rear
Both the upper and the lower attachments for the rear suspension struts or dampers must be loosened and then tightened again to the specified torque
with the vehicle in its ready-to-drive condition (i.e. the vehicle must be standing on its wheels).
Section 2: Special considerations for different damping variants
1) Air suspension struts and dampers (Model 164, 166, 211, 212, 219, 220, 221 240, 251)
ADS suspension strut (Model 129, 210, 140)
Adjusting damper (Model 204, 207, 231)
Since it can be assumed that a new shock absorber installed in a high-mileage vehicle would not harmonize with the used shock absorber and thus
impair ride comfort or vehicle dynamics, we recommend replacing these parts in pairs after the component has traveled at least 80,000 km.
2) ABC suspension struts (Model 215, 216, 220, 221, 230) In contrast to the air Or ADS suspension struts or conventional dampers, ABC
suspension struts must not be replaced in pairs at higher mileages (more than 80,000 km). The vehicle body dampening is performed by active
actuation of the plungers. These work wear-free! Passive wheel damping by the shock absorber integrated in the suspension strut plays a subordinate
role.
3a) Conventional dampers (Model 164, 166, 168, 169, 171, 203, 204, 207, 209, 211, 212, 218, 219, 230, 245, 246, 251) Since it can be assumed
that a new shock absorber installed in a high-mileage vehicle would not harmonize with the used shock absorber and thus impair ride comfort or
vehicle dynamics, we recommend replacing these parts in pairs after the component has traveled at least 80,000 km.
3b) Conventional dampers (Model 124, 129, 140, 163, 170, 201, 202, 208, 210, 461, 463) On these models diverse shock absorber variants are
standardized in the parts sector.
If dampers with new standardized part numbers are installed for replacement, then conventional dampers must be replaced in pairs!
In the event of any complaints on parts that have already been replaced in pairs, then the procedure as described in 3a should be followed.
Section 3: Deviating procedure
Information on additional deviating specifications for technical modifications is available in EPC and TIPS The current documentation in advanced
systems such as TIPS and EPC must always be followed! At this moment in time, we would like to draw your attention to the special considerations
83
for models 204, 207 and 212.
Suspension - Strut/Shock Absorber Replacement Guidelines
Date December 21, 2011
82
Order No. S-B-32.25/82b
Supersedes S-B-32.25/82a dated Dec. 22 2010
Group. 32
Revision History
Revision Date Purpose
b 12/21/11 All new text and added models.
a 12/22/10 Minor changes to last paragraph.
SUBJECT: MY-All, Models 124, 129, 140, 163, 164, 166, 169, 170, 171, 172, 201, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 215, 216, 218,
219, 220, 221, 230, 240, 245, 251, 463
Shock Absorber Replacement
General Information on Shock Absorber Variants
Do not replace both shock absorbers AIRmatic, ABC, ADS or adjustable suspension strut if only one is defective. Only a component that has been
diagnosed to be faulty (damper or suspension strut) may be replaced!
Noise Inspection
Reason for the noise should be determined by driving each side of the vehicle in turn over appropriate road surfacing or if possible by swapping over
the left and right component (damper or suspension strut). Before any replacement is made loosen and re4orque the corresponding
damper/suspension strut first and check whether this resolves the noise complaint.
Front
On the front suspension struts or dampers this need only be carried out on the top bearing mounting.
Rear
Both the upper and the lower attachments for the rear suspension struts or dampers must be loosened and then tightened again to the specified torque
with the vehicle in its ready-to-drive condition (i.e. the vehicle must be standing on its wheels).
Section 2: Special considerations for different damping variants
1) Air suspension struts and dampers (Model 164, 166, 211, 212, 219, 220, 221 240, 251)
ADS suspension strut (Model 129, 210, 140)
Adjusting damper (Model 204, 207, 231)
Since it can be assumed that a new shock absorber installed in a high-mileage vehicle would not harmonize with the used shock absorber and thus
impair ride comfort or vehicle dynamics, we recommend replacing these parts in pairs after the component has traveled at least 80,000 km.
2) ABC suspension struts (Model 215, 216, 220, 221, 230) In contrast to the air Or ADS suspension struts or conventional dampers, ABC
suspension struts must not be replaced in pairs at higher mileages (more than 80,000 km). The vehicle body dampening is performed by active
actuation of the plungers. These work wear-free! Passive wheel damping by the shock absorber integrated in the suspension strut plays a subordinate
role.
3a) Conventional dampers (Model 164, 166, 168, 169, 171, 203, 204, 207, 209, 211, 212, 218, 219, 230, 245, 246, 251) Since it can be assumed
that a new shock absorber installed in a high-mileage vehicle would not harmonize with the used shock absorber and thus impair ride comfort or
vehicle dynamics, we recommend replacing these parts in pairs after the component has traveled at least 80,000 km.
3b) Conventional dampers (Model 124, 129, 140, 163, 170, 201, 202, 208, 210, 461, 463) On these models diverse shock absorber variants are
standardized in the parts sector.
If dampers with new standardized part numbers are installed for replacement, then conventional dampers must be replaced in pairs!
In the event of any complaints on parts that have already been replaced in pairs, then the procedure as described in 3a should be followed.
Section 3: Deviating procedure
Information on additional deviating specifications for technical modifications is available in EPC and TIPS The current documentation in advanced
systems such as TIPS and EPC must always be followed! At this moment in time, we would like to draw your attention to the special considerations
83
for models 204, 207 and 212.
