Answer
Oct 05, 2025 - 05:19 PM
On the 1993 Mercedes-Benz S500SEL (W140), replacing the shock absorbers isn’t too bad if you’ve got the right tools and a bit of patience. Here’s the quick rundown:
Front shocks:
- Jack up the front and pull the wheel.
- Support the lower control arm with a jack (keeps the spring in place).
- Unbolt the lower shock mount at the control arm.
- Under the hood, remove the top nut holding the shock to the mount.
- Drop it out, slide the new one in, and tighten everything back to spec.
Rear shocks:
- You’ll need to get in the trunk — the top mounts are behind the side trim panels.
- Jack the rear, remove the wheel, and unbolt the lower shock mount.
- Remove the upper nuts from inside the trunk, then pull the shock out.
- Fit the new one, hand-tighten the top nuts, then bolt the bottom mount and torque both ends.
Always replace shocks in pairs and check the rubber bushings while you’re there. Moreover, this manual has all the torque specs, diagrams, and the detailed procedure step-by-step — worth having open while you’re working.
