Rear SLS shocks

[papayars4]

Does anyone have a pair of SLS rear shocks either NOS or used (good condition) they would be willing to part with? Or does anyone have a lead for a source for these?

Thanks in advance!

-Markos

 

[Lavaone]

I too am in dire need to replace these but can’t find anything.

Is there any other option? Rebuild perhaps?

 

[gsxr]

I too am in dire need to replace these but can’t find anything.

Is there any other option? Rebuild perhaps?

What is the failure mode on your existing ones? Leaking fluid, lower spherical joint failure, etc?

 

[Lavaone]

Failure is clunking seemingly coming from trunk while driving over bumps. Assuming Gerry’s advice re: lower spherical joint failure is valid and at ~150k miles they’re likely toast.

Was hoping to secure replacements prior to tear down, again assuming they’re toast.

Any suggestions?

 

[papayars4]

I’m not exactly certain what the issue is with mine. At first the shop thought it could be the top mounts as those did look crusty. But then they told me th shocks needed replacing. So they didn’t put the top mounts in.

Just want to get them replaced and be done with it. Car has 110,000 miles

 

[gsxr]

I’m not exactly certain what the issue is with mine. At first the shop thought it could be the top mounts as those did look crusty. But then they told me th shocks needed replacing. So they didn’t put the top mounts in.

Just want to get them replaced and be done with it. Car has 110,000 miles

papayars4, what is the problem/symptom with yours? Also clunking? I'd make really sure they are beyond repair before shelling out $3k+ for a new pair...

There's some for sale on eBay in UK, but not cheap. Seller is a forum member, don't know if he'll sell for less "off eBay". Note the price is each but he has a pair available:

Shock E500 for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Shock E500. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[papayars4]

papayars4, what is the problem/symptom with yours? Also clunking? I'd make really sure they are beyond repair before shelling out $3k+ for a new pair...

There's some for sale on eBay in UK, but not cheap. Seller is a forum member, don't know if he'll sell for less "off eBay". Note the price is each but he has a pair available:

Shock E500 for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Shock E500. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

I haven’t had a lot of seat time yet but in my limited time there is a bit of clunking.

I came across that eBay listing and messaged him. He wasn't very negotiable on price but maybe that could be on eBay

 

[Lavaone]

Are Sachs part # 102503 compatible? Seems so per their catalog but was looking for some more experienced input and advice.

 

[gsxr]

Are Sachs part # 102503 compatible? Seems so per their catalog but was looking for some more experienced input and advice.

Yes. They are visually identical, I think there are some photos on the forum. Not sure if the internals are identical but the Sachs catalog says they are correct for the E500E application.

 

[e500.org]

Are Sachs part # 102503 compatible? Seems so per their catalog but was looking for some more experienced input and advice.

I have these on my car after the originals gave way. Working perfectly after 5yrs and 20kkm.

 

[papayars4]

Are the Sachs shocks still available?

 

[gsxr]

Are the Sachs shocks still available?

Nope, Sachs are also NLA, but there's a pair from the same seller on eBay in UK, see link in post #6 above.

 

[e500.org]

Nope, Sachs are also NLA, but there's a pair from the same seller on eBay in UK, see link in post #6 above.

That price is pretty insane for 1 piece. That said, it appears you cannot buy them any longer and he has sold two in the past

At that sort of price I would look at rebuilding the original ones (if possible) - certainly do-able if it’s just the bush that’s worn out.

 

[Kirillva]

hello, can't get over the lack of offers for SLS shocks, for my 1992 500E, got to this option on eBay, part number varies by only one digit, visual similarity is almost perfect, do you think there is a chance this will work?

 

[gsxr]

hello, can't get over the lack of offers for SLS shocks, for my 1992 500E, got to this option on eBay, part number varies by only one digit, visual similarity is almost perfect, do you think there is a chance this will work?

That part number is for 5/6-cylinder sedans & coupés. It may bolt in, but don't expect it to function the same. For starters, it won't have the internal rebound limiting spring unique to the 500E.

 

[Keith Vandenbrink]

I've been reading the SLS threads with a lot of interest because I am going to have to deal with the same clunk and failed shocks. So I copied and pasted the Sachs pn from above into my search engine and came up with this list of alternatives. Does anybody have any experience with any of them? Is this a viable option or are they not applicable to the 500E?

 

[gerryvz]

The best thing to do would be to look at the specs on the manufacturers' web sites for each of those products listed.

To my knowledge, Sachs has been the only manufacturer who offered rear SLS hydro-legs on the aftermarket, and under its own brand. Of course, they were the OEM for the MB hydro-legs, as well.

I showed the "aftermarket" Sachs and the OE MB Sachs hydro-legs in the HOW-TO in replacement. The relevant image is below:

As you can see, the 103 503 number in the blue label Sachs "aftermarket" product (which I obtained in 2014, and installed on my car in 2015) is the same as the number in your chart above.

I highly doubt if any of those other manufacturers' products are truly equivalent to the Sachs SLS strut (either version). They may bolt up to the car, but likely aren't actual hydraulic products. I guess only by looking at the specs, would we know if they are or not.

 

[doolar]

Or get these:

Mercedes 124 500e e500 rear shock absorber NEW OLD STOCK A1243203413 A1243203413 | eBay

Sold individually, price per one shock absorber.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[gsxr]

I've been reading the SLS threads with a lot of interest because I am going to have to deal with the same clunk and failed shocks. So I copied and pasted the Sachs pn from above into my search engine and came up with this list of alternatives. Does anybody have any experience with any of them? Is this a viable option or are they not applicable to the 500E?

Google those part numbers and see what you find. The alleged Gabriel and TRW fitments are non-SLS.

There's no free lunch, if there was an easily available substitute, we wouldn't be paying $2500/pair to flippers on the 'Bay...

 

[Keith Vandenbrink]

Thanks for the input guys. I currently have the front of the vehicle up on jack stands to do the Oil Level Switch replacement that Gerryvz wrote an article on a while back. It was a great help Gerry. I'm just waiting for stabilizer bushings before I can put it back down and then get to work on the rear strut issue. I think the struts I have actually work its just the clunk that I hear that is usually (from what I've read) the spherical bearing in the strut. I may just try to press out the bearing and match it up at a commercial bearing shop. If I can do that then I wouldn't mind getting the hydraulics done at RMT. Have any of you tried this?

 

[mercepor]

Usually the strut itself is ok, only the lower bush is toasted. There is a guy in my neighborhood who is replacing them around 80usd/pcs.... I am sure that you should have this possibility also in the US. If smbody is building a race-car, replacing/upgrading bushing is one of the first item that we do on the car..... it is not rocket-science....

 

[gsxr]

If I can do that then I wouldn't mind getting the hydraulics done at RMT. Have any of you tried this?

See if the lower spherical joint has failed, if so, it won't hurt to try and replace it with something else that can support the weight of the car (remember, these lift the rear of the vehicle, it's not a standard shock absorber).

If the bushing cures the clunking noise, don't touch the hydraulics, they are probably fine. As discussed in this thread, I'm not convinced RMT does anything internally to these shocks. Could be a complete waste of money. And they don't replace the foam stop buffer which disintegrates.

 

[Lavaone]

Just received an email notice that Sachs 102 503 are available. Thought I was wasting my time filling out for “notify me when available”. Just bought a pair from FCP Euro. ~ $900 for the pair.

I’ll need to circle back to buy the associated piece parts but was so thrilled to find a pair I jumped.

 

[gsxr]

@Lavaone - don't get too excited about the hydrolegs at FCP... smells like a site error. I emailed them and asked about inventory available. Initial response is below. I replied and am waiting for a follow-up:

"We actually do not have SAC-102503 in stock at either of our facilities right now. If ordered, it would need to be sourced by our suppliers. Currently, we have been provided a 1-business-day lead time for the shock absorber, which means it would take about one day to source the part and then ship to you."​

No other vendor shows this part number as available to order, and the Sachs website shows NLA... I'm guessing someone at FCP screwed up. I'll keep y'all posted.

Shock Absorber | Hydropneumatic damping unit 102 503

aftermarket.zf.com

 

[doolar]

@Lavaone - don't get too excited about the hydrolegs at FCP... smells like a site error. I emailed them and asked about inventory available. Initial response is below. I replied and am waiting for a follow-up:

"We actually do not have SAC-102503 in stock at either of our facilities right now. If ordered, it would need to be sourced by our suppliers. Currently, we have been provided a 1-business-day lead time for the shock absorber, which means it would take about one day to source the part and then ship to you."​

No other vendor shows this part number as available to order, and the Sachs website shows NLA... I'm guessing someone at FCP screwed up. I'll keep y'all posted.

Shock Absorber | Hydropneumatic damping unit 102 503

aftermarket.zf.com

View attachment 217107

Yea I’ve been trawling a lot of the large resellers in Europe and can’t find any in stock anywhere unfortunately. I don’t need them, but will most likely buy a pair for the parts bin if they’re available again.

 

[gsxr]

FCP never replied to my email, but they updated their website: shows "backordered" with "No ETA".

 

[timpurister]

Yea I’ve been trawling a lot of the large resellers in Europe and can’t find any in stock anywhere unfortunately. I don’t need them, but will most likely buy a pair for the parts bin if they’re available again.

Hey Thomas.

I have not tried this service myself yet, but my friend fixed his SLS struts at nagencast, About the Company - NAGENGAST and was very satisfied on the service.

I am sending them my s124 rear struts in the near future.

Timo

 

[gsxr]

Nagengast replaces the lower spherical joint with a plain rubber bushing. Make sure you are ok with this before you send them any W124 SLS hydrolegs. Click here for details.

If the S124 struts do not have a lower joint, that might not be a problem. However, I am still suspicious of any company that claims to "rebuild" the 124 SLS hydrolegs. I am not at all confident they actually disassemble them and replace internal seals. YMMV, etc.

 

[gsxr]

I received a reply from FCP this morning. It does appear this was a site error:

​

"I sincerely apologize for any confusion. We've updated our website to reflect that this item currently has no estimated time of arrival (ETA) and is unavailable for purchase.​

​

Thank you for your valuable feedback and for bringing this to our attention — we truly appreciate it."​

 

[Lavaone]

Bumma man! They accepted my payment. I'll be calling . . .

 

[Lavaone]

"Yes, we have no bananas." No shocks. Appropriate apologies made and accepted, refund on its way.

 

[Lavaone]

and with this, my own final setback, I’m throwing in the towel. My car is in the shop for some minor body work. After this it’s going on the block.

It served me well and I’ve enjoyed it right up until this past year. I’d spend reasonable money to continue to repair it but NLA has driven me away.

 

[Lavaone]

I took my 94 E500 in for some touch ups to bodywork and barely made it to the shop 10 miles away. Shaking and spitting like it was running on 4 cylinders. This only reinforced my decision to part ways.

Then I picked my car up a week later. Looking real nice straight out of the body shop.

Started right up. Running smooooooth. Drove 100 highway miles to my beach house. What a car!!!!

The smooth acceleration, the flawless handling, the gleam off the paint and chrome: I love this car!

But, it’s riding like I have 2x4s for struts. Enough to shake loose a tooth filling.

Just picked up the one hydro leg left from FCP and hope to find another one. Bought the associated mount kits in a fit of optimism. Purchased the accumulator spheres. Winter project.

I’m back.

What else do I need to replace to get the ride smoothed out?

 

[gsxr]

The harsh ride is almost certainly failed accumulators / spheres. Replace those, flush & bleed the SLS system, and it should go back to normal. Let us know if you receive one hydroleg from FCP or if it ends up being ghost inventory. Avoid driving the car until you get the spheres replaced... in the condition you describe, they can damage your hydrolegs.

The shaking / spitting / running on 4 cylinders sounds like the usual moisture-in-distributor problem. Have you added the extra venting slots in your caps yet? If not, add that to the project list.

Welcome back!

 

[Lavaone]

The harsh ride is almost certainly failed accumulators / spheres. Replace those, flush & bleed the SLS system, and it should go back to normal. Let us know if you receive one hydroleg from FCP or if it ends up being ghost inventory. Avoid driving the car until you get the spheres replaced... in the condition you describe, they can damage your hydrolegs.

The shaking / spitting / running on 4 cylinders sounds like the usual moisture-in-distributor problem. Have you added the extra venting slots in your caps yet? If not, add that to the project list.

Welcome back!

One leg was delivered already. FCP cancelled and refunded the remaining leg price. I was kicking my own butt for not buying the leg when I had a chance to buy it a week or so ago. Fortuitously it was still there and the price went down!. That was a was nice gift.

On the hunt for another one,

 

[Lavaone]

Accumulators were replaced immediately after I purchased the car from my friend. The ride was so bad I lifted off the seat when I went over decent bumps. That was at about 30k miles. I’m at 150k now so I know they’re due.

The clunk is more a nuisance / distraction.

I do so love this car.

 

[ArauzMotoring]

I can say that replacing the accumulators in my 500E was like a night and day difference. The bounciness in the rear was horrid but now the car just glides over uneven surfaces… I noticed FCP euro was showing rear hydro legs as available as of recently.

I can’t help but wonder how amg branded hydro legs ride in the 500E or E60

 

[Lavaone]

I snagged FCP’s last leg. Ordered two, received one and a credit for the other.