Random front suspension questions

[Kyiv]

I've got 4 questions about font struts


1. FSM 32-100. On one page it states that self-locking nut and washer that go onto the strut's road should be torqued to 80Nm. On another page (same document), it states to tighten to 60Nm (see picture). Which is it, or am I reading it wrong?



2. What is the retaining strap (see pic) for? Both of my front struts are missing them. They were replaced as soon as I got the acquired the car with Sachs 115-070 units, 5 years ago..



3. The above FSM states that an alignment must be performed after struts are replaced. I'm thinking of making sure that the 5 year old struts, that were put in by hole-in-a-wall indy shop are torqued to the steering knuckle and control arms to spec. If I loosen those bolts just enough to then properly re-torque them with a torque wrench, might this mess with my alignment? I just want to make sure...

4. 500E's MB branded strut has an "internal spring", which, from reading this forum, I know that aftermarket Sachs unit is missing. Is this unique to 500E only? Does 400E have a same/similar "internal spring", or, in 400E's case, it's irrelevant whether one goes with factory part or an aftermarket Sachs part?

Thanks!

 

[gerryvz]

1. It's an error/inconsistency in the FSM. The correct torque for an .036 is 80 Nm. You care about "A" in the diagram, and nut/washer "11a" in particular.



2. EDIT: Some people believe that the "retaining strap" is supposed to have the bottom of the rubber boot stretched across it to keep it fully extended. As far as I know, the rubber boot is just supposed to hang downward in a fully extended position, and NOT be hooked over the retaining strap. I have never been 100% sure what the retaining strap is specifically for, but when the spring/strut is compressed, the bottom of the rubber boot pushes up against the retaining strap momentarily until the strut/spring extends again.

3. If you loosen each bolt one by one, and then retighten/retorque it, you won't need to bother with an alignment.

4. The internal rebound limiting spring is unique to the 500E. The 400E didn’t have it, and used pedestrian-style MB front struts.


I've attached the correct/proper FSM document for this procedure.

 

[Kyiv]

Gerry, thanks a lot for taking your time to answer