To all- in case you need simple instructions..Bilstein Shock arrived UPS.

March 15th 2004 My Experience - one after market shock replacement..
1) remove spare tire
2) jack up frame remove tire.
3) remove inner fender well piece.
4) remove 3 top shock nuts. 2 from underneath one from fender well.
5) remove lower shock bolt
6) remove the 2 long swing arm bolts.
7) remove 2 nuts on top of sway bar link swing arm should move out of way.
7) remove shock - take to a spring compression guy. I went to muffler man.
8) they took off spring and told me they couldnt get off shock mount.
9) I took home , cut off plastic sleeve, cut off shock rod with grinding wheel, , flattened two sides of rod so vice would get good grap. broke loose pressed on fitting with vice grips. took pressure off vice and punched rod out of press fitting.
10) took back to the "professionals" at mufflerman. They then completed instaling shock in spring.

My only installation glitch...the bottom shock nut turned so hard I was afraid to go all the way where it should be..(with 1/2 threads sticking out past the nut.) I THINK I will have my kids sit on the back and snug it down.



Jun 3 2006 - I just replaced the Riight Rear shock.
While it is fresh in my mind , I wanted to report. On the rear right..1) I only slid out the spare tire and did not remove it..2) I had to remove all 3 top nuts from under neath. 3) I ONLY DIsconnected the swing arm and worked the shock out. Stiil took 2 1/2 hours. But the squeek is gone.

June 2009 - Front Shock Installation instructions.
10 year anniversary of my ML320. Built June 1999. Monroe shocks $90 fot the pair delivered ********.
10 Michigan winters prevented the top nuts from moving. This is no Honda. Had to drummel the top nuts off. That took an hour letting the dremmel cool down every couple minutes. Then removed the tires to have room to use a pipe extention on my breaker bar to get the bottom bolts off. With a friend guiding me a bit, had the new Monroes on lickity Split. The Monroe's do not have the bushing on the shaft to make it fit tight on the top bracket. My helper said the rubber bushing was made to keep it in place. I dont know. But its done. If I notice a big improvement, I will add more commentary.

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles