Rebuilding W116 6.9 Struts

I do know Tim from WA has successfully rebuilt both front and rear struts

Re: W126 self leveling struts

I am totally surprised that my name has not been mentioned. I have rebuilt struts for some five years now, with very few rebuild issues. During the last six weeks or thereabouts, I have rebuilt four struts - two for a TK member, and two for a 6.9 owner that Michel was generous enough to refer to me.

So, any takers - I am only a phone call away. I provide a full twelve months warranty. Regards Styria

Re: W126 self leveling struts

........and just to complete the picture or the know- how provided. I rebuild levelling valves (very difficult sometimes), and have the equipment to bench test those levelling valves, as well as the switching valve and also the Pressure Regulator. Regards Styria

Re: W126 self leveling struts

Some further notes on struts and the various parts that form part of the overall arrangement.

Front struts consist of: Top mount, the strut itself, bottom mount, and a rebound rubber that is an integral part of the bottom part of the strut - many owners mistakenly think it is a seal. Far from it.

Now, I believe that top mounts have not been available for some time - and they are not rebuildable. Once worn out, you will have to rely on second hand units. Luckily enough, they last well.

Bottom mounts I have had rebuilt locally for some years now at considerable cost. At one stage, the MB price was $A800.00. I was supplying those rebuilt units at $A160.00 each. Presently, I can no longer have these rebuilt. I am looking for alternative means of getting that work done. Some new units have surfaced on EBay and they are available exGermany.

The struts themselves are repairable with replacement seals. Pulling them apart can be a nightmare as the bodies can become damaged during the dismantling process. Once damaged, throw them away.

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Rear struts - similar sentiments apply to the strut bodies. Top mounts are difficult to come by, if not impossible, and I have some new ones on hand. They cannot be rebuit as they are moulded rubber. Bottom mounts I believe are no longer available, but having said that, someone out there will probably dig up some from somewhere. I have rebuilt units on hand, at a cost of close enough to the $A200.00 mark each.

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Mark (Oversize) mentions that some prices are unreasonable and unwarranted, and I won't put up any argument to his beliefs. The service that I offer encompasses testing of the various suspension units that form part of the overall hydraulic system. It takes time and time, to test components, and you have to understand how the system works, and what goes wrong with it. Does anyone understand why a car can be raised by means of the valve lever position, but does one know why the car won't come back to its normal position once the lever is returned ? That all has to be understood, or why the suspension system cannot be locked prior to jacking up and, when lowered, the car collapses and it does not want to come back up again ?

All this knowledge is GOLD and is attained over lengthy periods, numerous failures in the process of checking and rectifying systems, and then you have to turn around and provide a twelve months, no questions asked warranty. All that has to be paid for. Bear in mind that, when new back in 1979 a standard 450SEL sold for 45K. German Marks, whereas the 6.9 cost 69K. Marks. It was all in the suspension and the M100 engine ! Regards. Styria

Re: W126 self leveling struts

The bottom ball joint for the front struts is on the net ,brand new ,for $100 us ex Germany. I have rebuilt two rear struts for my 6.9. The seals came from my local hydraulic shop. Some were off the shelf and some were special order and took about a week. I have also purchased two rebuilt front struts from Styria so I have a full set to fit when needed ? My 6.9 has done 280000k and the original struts are still performing well.
Styria has rebuilt both my level valves and is currently checking out a third one so I have a spare. Regards Mark.

we had another thread about the struts used on the simple self-leveling system used on Many Mercedes benz models. There was a bit of confusion on the more complex struts as used on the 6.9 and also the systems used on the series 1 W126 and the series 2 W126. We already have a thread on the Series 2 W126.

I created this new thread to move the posts related to the 6.9 here to make things easier.

Seems there’s other jumping in on the game now.... I would say reasonably priced too but you do have to factor in freight & probably insurance!

https://rebuildmastertech.com/search-results-page/

Mark, it is a step in the right direction. The more options available to us, the better it is. Some comment regarding pricing is necessary. I charge the equivalent of $US470.00 to rebuild the struts with a twelve months, no questions asked, warranty.

When you consider the US price of $745.00, and then pay shipping costs for your own units to the States, plus shipping back to our country, the American product is not the bargain one might hope for. You will note also that there is no top mount for their struts, as of course there are none for my units. Also, you are dealing with a local supplier, and I pay for the cost of sending out a replacement unit. However, as I said, I have had only one warranty claim on any of the struts I have rebuilt.

Regarding postage - I recently sent a Rover Radio and the Centre Console they sit in, and the package weighing 2.1 kilograms, cost $AUD85.00 to send to Canada. As well, when a 6.9 owner sends his unit for rebuild, I ask that the top mount and rubber hose are left attached to the strut. I then position the mount and hose in exactly the same position which greatly facilitates refitting to the car. Regards Styria