2014 E63 front strut project

[kevm14]

- Front struts and mounts. The front seems under damped to me. It just feels lame, which checks out since I am dealing with 103k on original shocks (made by Monroe for some totally inexplicable reason). This is going to be another tremendous expense though I think buying new is worth it unlike at the rear. New mounts would also solve a crunching sound when turning the wheel in colder temps (I believe).

Left front @ $707: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... OC1nYXM%3D

Right front @ $992: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... OC1nYXM%3D

So that's $1700...

Strut mount bearings x2 @ $26.45/ea: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... wtdjgtZ2Fz

And another $53. So call it $1750 for front struts (does not include new springs).

With the great success I've had recently I think I am getting closer to pulling the trigger on new front struts, strut mounts and another alignment. I think I will just suck it up and pay the dealer to do it properly. I'll tell them I had a camber problem on the right front, it may or may not be resolved with new struts and mounts (hopefully is), and the car has all 4 caster/camber bolts in the locations - figure it out. Hopefully this works, because while we are talking about $2000 here, I think it would pay dividends in enjoyment. It will ride/handle better, track better, occasional clunks and squeaks will be gone, and it will not wear out tires as quickly. This is all good stuff.

[kevm14]

- Front struts and mounts. The front seems under damped to me. It just feels lame, which checks out since I am dealing with 103k on original shocks (made by Monroe for some totally inexplicable reason). This is going to be another tremendous expense though I think buying new is worth it unlike at the rear. New mounts would also solve a crunching sound when turning the wheel in colder temps (I believe).

Left front @ $707: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... OC1nYXM%3D

Right front @ $992: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... OC1nYXM%3D

So that's $1700...

Strut mount bearings x2 @ $26.45/ea: https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... wtdjgtZ2Fz

And another $53. So call it $1750 for front struts (does not include new springs).

With the great success I've had recently I think I am getting closer to pulling the trigger on new front struts, strut mounts and another alignment. I think I will just suck it up and pay the dealer to do it properly. I'll tell them I had a camber problem on the right front, it may or may not be resolved with new struts and mounts (hopefully is), and the car has all 4 caster/camber bolts in the locations - figure it out. Hopefully this works, because while we are talking about $2000 here, I think it would pay dividends in enjoyment. It will ride/handle better, track better, occasional clunks and squeaks will be gone, and it will not wear out tires as quickly. This is all good stuff.

Left one not available online now. $1200 counter only. Now it will be $2200 plus mounts. This is getting insane. At least the right one is only up $22....

They said there are 6 of the non-64 part number suffix in the US but more like 71 in Germany. He thought they won't be making more.

I think I need to look into other options like retrofitting a Bilstein from a non-AMG W212.

https://www.shocksurplus.com/search?ven ... veType/AWD

The B6 from an E550 is probably about right for my car but questions remain.
- Will it physically bolt up? Probably? I think I have a wider track than the base chassis.
- I would use my original spring but if the spring mount on the strut was different or the strut bolt section was a different length there could be a ride height difference and I don't want it higher OR lower.
- The electronic shock control. If I unplug them the system will command full stiff and thus not let me select Comfort with the higher rear ride height. I don't want to lose that function so I would either need to figure out a way to code out the shock control but leave the ride height control or just use dummy resistors to make it think everything is happy. Honestly I think the latter is more likely to work IF they use a simple resistance check and not anything more fancy or closed loop.
- I was focusing on the front struts but the questions remain for the rear shocks. I am less worried because unlike the strut, the rear shocks don't play any structural role in the rear suspension. It just needs to bolt up and be close to the right length for the suspension travel.

[kevm14]

Left one not available online now. $1200 counter only. Now it will be $2200 plus mounts. This is getting insane. At least the right one is only up $22....

They said there are 6 of the non-64 part number suffix in the US but more like 71 in Germany. He thought they won't be making more.

Had a good in person conversation with Norbert at MB Warwick parts this morning. I am receiving contradictory information which isn't awesome. Evidently their price on the struts is lower than I was quoted before. Still a lot but left is $1,070 and the right is $1,490. Better.

But I decided to try a simple internet search. Found them for closer to the old online price.

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I can save $35 or so on the right one if I get it at MB Warwick online vs MB Parts Giant. But I don't know if that makes logistical sense.

[kevm14]

Left: https://www.mbpartsgiant.com/genuine/me ... 2123236100
Right: https://www.mbpartsgiant.com/genuine/me ... 2123236200

Current pricing is $768 for left and $1,068 for right.

[kevm14]

Front strut and knuckle info. Parts and diagrams. I need to see how many piece parts I want to order that make up the assembled strut, aside from the struts themselves. Also, the diagram drawing seems to show a different knuckle style than I have but I'll chalk that up to laziness in the parts system.

I should probably create a strut thread at this point as this is more than a curiosity.

[kevm14]

It's only a project because they are so expensive I guess. Moved posts here.

[kevm14]

Did some various combo analysis to get the best prices. Ordered the left from Pelican parts for $953.77 shipped. Ordered the right with the -64 part suffix from MB Warwick online for $1,104.67 OTD (local pickup but with tax).

List price on these is $1070 before tax for left and $1490 before tax for right so list would have been $2,560 before tax and shipping and I paid $2,058.44 shipped with tax. With tax, the list (would have been from the parts counter) would have been $2739.20 so I saved $680.76 by ordering the way I did. Obviously that is worth it. Also, this better be worth it in general.

I guess my plan is to make sure I can get my damn hands on these things and see if they come with any of the assorted piece parts. If not, then I guess I'll put a list together of the various shock mounts and other odds and ends to make a truly new strut assembly (I will reuse my springs).

The pieces I would consider are:
- Bottom spring shims. A 204 321 01 84. $23.50 x 2. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2043210184
- Upper spring shims. A 212 322 04 84. $71.92 x 2. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2123220484
- Bump stops. A 212 321 13 06. $50.84 x 2. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2123211306
- Boots. A 204 323 02 92. $22.10 x 2. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2043230292
- Left strut mount. A 212 323 05 20. $183.26. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2123230520
- Right strut mount. A 212 323 04 20. $180.88. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2123230420
- Strut nuts. N 000000 003277. $3.12 x 2. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... z-nut-3277
- Left cover (not sure if I really need to replace). A 212 327 07 86. $20.80. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2123270786
- Right cover (same). A 212 327 06 86. $17.55. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 2123270686
- Strut bearings. 204981002564. $27.94 x 2. https://www.mercedesbenzpartsshop.com/o ... 4981002564

I linked the bearings in an earlier post above but it says code 489. I think that's 4 corner air. I have 488 which is rear air. So I think that means it doesn't apply to me.

Obviously it would be REALLY nice if the new struts came with...well, any of this stuff.

[kevm14]

My strut is ready at MB Warwick. I will spent more QT with Norbert and see what he thinks about included and/or applicable items.

[kevm14]

Picked up the right one from the dealer. It's heavy. Also the shock rod is 25mm.

2024 production, too. Monroe, made in Spain, just like OEM.

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Also, it comes with nothing at all. I need to dig into the strut mounts to see if they actually have rubber in them or if it is just a cast plate thing. He clarified the bearing thing. It said "-489" which means without 489. I have 488. So I need the bearings. I suspect the strut mounts do have rubber that can degrade and is probably causing some clunking on mine.

[kevm14]

The mounts definitely contain rubber as you would expect. I felt it with my finger.

Pass side. I was curious if this might account for my out of spec camber but I think the shock rod would have to be out of center and it looks fine.

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Driver side

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