Shocks All terrain
I venture into this technical section with some trepidation....
I have a G500 (2001) W463 and I think its time to change out the shocks, road manners are becoming noticeably worse as well as driving off road yesterday while shooting, my G 'did not feel right' - sorry that's about as technical as I can get 
.Normally I can tear across a field , but yesterday - wow - really bad ride quality.
Have looked at the MB ones and was wondering if any members out there would care to comment on what they would consider good/bad manufacturers of shocks? If I look at last year, I spent around 15-20% of the time off road, nothing 'hard core' and most of the time on tarmac. Again like most looking for value for money, but would consider quality over a sensible price.
The floor is now open!
Spider1V
Try the Koni Heavy Tracks. Set the damping quite firm. They can be rock hard if set to full. Excellent for controlling roll on road. A bit of a pain to adjust again but I think they are great. Didnt get the Raid version as I dont go to Dakar often.
Original Sach is good or Bilstein... Original G parts is good, so no big after market for them.
Original Sach is good or Bilstein... Original G parts is good, so no big after market for them.
Thanks TvaiX, I have been looking at the Bilstein B4's Heavy duty expensive, but good reviews. re the Sach is that Sack/Boge? They make the official MB ones, however some mixed reviews - some say they are too hard, some say they are perfect, care to comment on your experiences
Many thanks
Spider1V
Don't quite remember who it was but there was some mention on shock absorber offers made by Tim Carnell or Peter Wells at the last AGM. Just before that or shortly after, there was a thread making the same offer from the supplier of Shock absorbers. I felt the price was a tad high - no doubting quality though.
Hey Spider. Most good shocks are adjustable. Everyone has their preference and own type of driving requirements. I mainly drive on road but I'm also driving a 2.5 ton 'car' that needs to be 'controlled'. I would think that the Koni's give more 'control' than a fixed Bilstein OE part. Werent Bilstein going to offer a Heavy duty (ie stronger damping) for the G a while back. Must be a reason?? Anyway they're well priced (for G parts) and I use Koni on my other cars. You should only need to adjust twice if youre not happy 1st time round. I've set mine firm and have not had to change them since install.
Broken Spring perhaps?
After spending an inordinate amount of time on this subject, pestering this very patient forum and then trying to find someone in the UK who actually stocked them ... Sachs became the considered opinion & I bought them; only to find (some will remember) that a ruddy Landrover specialist had cut the MB bottom brackets off! New brackets and shocks are waiting to be fitted.
Hey Spider. Most good shocks are adjustable. Everyone has their preference and own type of driving requirements. I mainly drive on road but I'm also driving a 2.5 ton 'car' that needs to be 'controlled'. I would think that the Koni's give more 'control' than a fixed Bilstein OE part. Werent Bilstein going to offer a Heavy duty (ie stronger damping) for the G a while back. Must be a reason?? Anyway they're well priced (for G parts) and I use Koni on my other cars. You should only need to adjust twice if youre not happy 1st time round. I've set mine firm and have not had to change them since install.
Many thanks Montreal - just the guidance I need! Have tried following up on the Bilsteins, and now looking at the Koni - I am sure I had those on my old Nissan 300ZX, then went for some Nissmo shocks and coils - expensive, but not as good as the Koni from memory.
Keep them coming!
Spider1V
Spider, the Koni Heavy Tracks are excellent. Good advice above.
Eddie.
There is difference of G in term of weight, so the same shocks on SWB G230 can be different with G500 LWB...
Good new shocks but bad springs can make all the difference too.
I loved my Bilsteins with Eibach shocks what ORC resells, dunno what number. I have on G300 SWB, can take closer look what they are if you are interested, but possible can find in internet.
At risk of hijacking Spiders thread again (apologies in advance) - I have a set of new front Koni Raids to fit so I'm watching this thread. I can't get the old shocks off even after the WD40 treatment.There look like they are on since 1991 and are Bilsteins well beaten up. I have managed to loosen the top mounts with great force but the underside (behind the front wheels) are locked solid. I'll do a photo at the w/end but there is two locking nuts on the bottom spindle holding the lower shock mount in place. Inner bolt is 24mm dia and then a 22 mm diameter lock nut. When I try to turn the lower 22mm nut the entire shock outer case is turning. I presume I need to lock the 24mm nut first and then loosen the lower 22mm nut counter clockwise except that I can't get sufficient grip with a regular spanner on the 24mm nut with the wheels on the ground.
The Koni Raid Shocks come with new spacers, rubber mounts and 1 locking nut - so not sure why the old originals have two locking nuts.
Anyone come across this before or any ideas to shift the inside 24mm nut ?
Cracker jack
Derek
derek if the shocks are fit for the skip do not mess about with them , cut the nuts through with an angle grinder and then split them off the threaded portion -job jobbed / use a thin cutting disc on a 41/2 grinder and cut from below up through the side of the nut exposing the 'bolt' part underneath / it is fairly normal to have to do this especially on the top of the rear shocks that lock solid , as the shocks are usually scrap it is not something to worry about .
of course be careful whilst grinding and take steps to protect yourself and the vehicle .
Shocks ? KBW , cheapest and best all round use
KBW? KYB?
KYB. Cheapest for a reason. I thought they were worse than the worn out ones on my 460.
typo - KYB work for me
I have had Kyb shocks fitted for years to my lwb .They are very good as anyone who has ridden in or driven it will tell you with excellent handling at all speeds. There is a procedure that new shocks should have done to them prior to installation, was this done in the case of the negative feedback installs?? As above KYB work for me .
Axel - which ones?
Hi Spider
As has already been mentioned above it might be worth checking your springs. They are prone to breaking as they get older and even more so if you are using your G off road.
I managed to break quite a few on my G but it was still a lot cheaper to replace them than the air suspension on the Cayenne which appears to be made of cheese !!
I had one broken spring, when I changed for ORC springs and shocks.
Shaun had 3 broken springs.
I'm on this at the moment too!
B4 are OEM eqv. B6 are 'sport' (heavier duty, yellow and blue) AFAIK.
Koni RAID are dual chamber, somewhat adjustable. From memory, 2 non HT raid versions, the standard and the SPX (softer). The Raid HTs are designed for offroad competition (desert racing!). I know you don't like sand in you mangina leather though Spider 
Orc do the Bilsteins or Fox adjustable racing shocks (not cheap). Honestly, I think you'd do fine with the B4s - they will do everythign the OEMs did, fine for a bit of off-roading and won't look too 'bling' on the 500 (tastefu black from memory).
Joe
Is there any reason that you don't just get the standard MB ones?
Gav looked into shocks for me and noticed that the G500lwb has AMG shocks fitted as standard
[quote=Spider1V]
Hi Spider,
I have just installed the Koni Raids on a SWB 463 replacing an old set of bilsteins. Can't really compare as the bilsteins were well shot. However, I would say that the Koni Raids are a stiff ride. There is a stiff dampening effect on the springs and as per a previous commentator, I would say more suited to off road or rough conditions.
Derek
Will sort it tomorrow evening...
Full day at Cadwell Park tomorrow watching the Wolds Trophy races...
The joys of having a motor sport mad 6yo daughter ;)
Things you have to do as a dad :0)
Gav
After spending an inordinate amount of time on this subject, pestering this very patient forum and then trying to find someone in the UK who actually stocked them ... Sachs became the considered opinion & I bought them; only to find (some will remember) that a ruddy Landrover specialist had cut the MB bottom brackets off! New brackets and shocks are waiting to be fitted.
Well, a conclusion - the local fundi cut the Landrover brackets off and glued on the right MB ones - Sachs now in at the rear. A lot better, but a country mile off my Audi A6 Allroad - mind you the Sachs were cheaper than the airsprings I had to replace. I am thinking, if I did more with the beast, Koni should have been the solution, but I could not find anyone who would "specify" which model.
yes i agree
KYB shocks are cheap and have done me many miles off roading. For the money they are you could buy 6 pairs or so compared to other shocks on the market
Ive just fitted some up front of my g and i have no steering damper at present. Fittin the cheap kyb shocks has made it ok with o damper
Kyb make shocks for 160mph superbikes and moto x bikes . These might be a cheap off spin but get the premium ones not the standard. They will be fine
As said before just save time and cut nuts off like i did this weekend. I am a skilled fabricator and i use 1mm cut off discs o a 4.5 inch grinder. Just cut the shock off. Look where sparks go as tey stick and cause rust spots. Avoid discs etc. It took me about 40 minutes to change shocks lying on floor and finding spanners tc etc
Give the kyb shocks a go for 44 pounds each. Mine have done o for 2 years
Choice is yours
yes i agree
KYB shocks are cheap and have done me many miles off roading. For the money they are you could buy 6 pairs or so compared to other shocks on the market
Ive just fitted some up front of my g and i have no steering damper at present. Fittin the cheap kyb shocks has made it ok with o damper
Kyb make shocks for 160mph superbikes and moto x bikes . These might be a cheap off spin but get the premium ones not the standard. They will be fine
As said before just save time and cut nuts off like i did this weekend. I am a skilled fabricator and i use 1mm cut off discs o a 4.5 inch grinder. Just cut the shock off. Look where sparks go as tey stick and cause rust spots. Avoid discs etc. It took me about 40 minutes to change shocks lying on floor and finding spanners tc etc
Give the kyb shocks a go for 44 pounds each. Mine have done o for 2 years
Choice is yours
Reckon as they might do well enough for the 1983 280GEL. The current ones have done well; the cover barrels are well rusted through.
Yes the price is the point and i do honestly think they are very good for the money. If they did not last as long at least the nuts and threads wont be rusty . Aiding the removal and refit. 3 pairs for the price of the other cheaper ones
I took the risk and have done some more adventurous off roading and they are still good
Just my view, others might say different
G
What ever happened to De Carbon? You can still get them for LR products.
Good price great shocks, still have them on the front after 8 years, damping fine, though a lot stiffer than Sachs, though only Koni give you nice little rubber bits to protect threads so you can easily remove them, but so they should for the money...
Hello All,
Just a few lines to comment on the joys of GWOA membership!!!
So I post up here on the forum, and get some great advice and pointers! Many thanks all who have contributed advice, personal findings etc.
Then I speak to our parts rep, who not only can get the parts, but also gets me a rather nice reduction in price compared to what I could secure.
But wait..... there is more!
I pop down to take a look at Axel's magnificent creation - the 'Super G' and next thing I know, he is changing the shocks and greasing my nipples!!!!! What more can a member ask for?
So many, many Spider thanks to all concerned fro both their advice, help and educating a member to what you don't see under the floor!
Spider1V
Hello All,
Just a few lines to comment on the joys of GWOA membership!!!
So I post up here on the forum, and get some great advice and pointers! Many thanks all who have contributed advice, personal findings etc.
Then I speak to our parts rep, who not only can get the parts, but also gets me a rather nice reduction in price compared to what I could secure.
But wait..... there is more!
I pop down to take a look at Axel's magnificent creation - the 'Super G' and next thing I know, he is changing the shocks and greasing my nipples!!!!! What more can a member ask for?
So many, many Spider thanks to all concerned fro both their advice, help and educating a member to what you don't see under the floor!
Spider1V
You will be moving in with Axel if you carry on posting like that He already has me and Eddie fighting for a room 
Dear Spider, having a very similar vehicle, same year, same engine etc..I need to change my shocks too. Can't believe the car has done 200k km ( no off-road) now and still has the same shocks. When I had them tested last year they will still at 80%, I now notice they getting worse. I asked ORC (3hrs away) for a quote to change to the springs to the AMG units (-20mm) And the bilstein shocks. Don't think that is the real solution and wanted to see what you chose at the end of the day..the thread is a little unclear on that. I want to improve the on road handling (turn in) without making the drive too stiff. Thanks
hi there
polybush's will greatly improve turn in on the G... especially the anti roll bar bushes. my G300 will be getting them all changed this summer. my friend here in cyprus runms polybush on both his 460 and 463. he swears by them.
http://www.gfg-shop.de/shop/index.php?cat=c61_Buchsen.html
and go for koni heavy tracks shocks . i dont reckon your springs need changing unless you done some heavy offroading or pulled a loaded trolley or caravan.
rgds hus.
Hi Jan,
Sorry for the delay. I replace like with like, with the help of Axel (the work) and Gavin (parts rep) and the advice here. I did look at the Billy's and other makes, but at the end of the day, I went back to the spec, as it were. All fine, all running well. Changed mine at around 180K! (Miles) and that was after some off roading etc. Not bad for almost 14 years! Noticed the difference in both road manners and ride immediately and am now a happy bunny! Yet to take them off road.
After chatting with some of the other members, I did find out that the shocks are the same they put on the 55 AMG's, but due to the power, handle better on the 500's. Can not complain so far. Get the two year warranty on the parts. Word of advice, while you are changing them get a good look at the plates at the end of the springs, and see how they are fairing and have a good root around checking for wear and tear, rust etc.
HTH
Spider1V
I know that some G55 owners have fitted G500 shocks/ springs to soften the ride, but to my knowledge the G55 and G500 have different OEM shocks as well as springs.
Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I will go with the original units.
Hi Jan,
Sorry for the delay. I replace like with like, with the help of Axel (the work) and Gavin (parts rep) and the advice here. I did look at the Billy's and other makes, but at the end of the day, I went back to the spec, as it were. All fine, all running well. Changed mine at around 180K! (Miles) and that was after some off roading etc. Not bad for almost 14 years! Noticed the difference in both road manners and ride immediately and am now a happy bunny! Yet to take them off road.
After chatting with some of the other members, I did find out that the shocks are the same they put on the 55 AMG's, but due to the power, handle better on the 500's. Can not complain so far. Get the two year warranty on the parts. Word of advice, while you are changing them get a good look at the plates at the end of the springs, and see how they are fairing and have a good root around checking for wear and tear, rust etc.
HTH
Spider1V
Who is axel?
Leave it!!!
Hi Jan,
Sorry for the delay. I replace like with like, with the help of Axel (the work) and Gavin (parts rep) and the advice here. I did look at the Billy's and other makes, but at the end of the day, I went back to the spec, as it were. All fine, all running well. Changed mine at around 180K! (Miles) and that was after some off roading etc. Not bad for almost 14 years! Noticed the difference in both road manners and ride immediately and am now a happy bunny! Yet to take them off road.
After chatting with some of the other members, I did find out that the shocks are the same they put on the 55 AMG's, but due to the power, handle better on the 500's. Can not complain so far. Get the two year warranty on the parts. Word of advice, while you are changing them get a good look at the plates at the end of the springs, and see how they are fairing and have a good root around checking for wear and tear, rust etc.
HTH
Spider1V
Who is axel?
i saw this and after stating i would not post on this g.w.o.a site anymore i decided on balance to leave it as it doesn't deserve the oxygen of a reply, however ...
dear fred , we have met before . you came to my house on the day before the funeral for David Grix (R.I.P.) on your way down to dorset , we all had a pleasant few cups of tea and coffee and enjoyed the welsh cake brought by Richard Wells ( you must remember - mark blunden /howard green/richard wells/fred ecosse all sat in my kitchen)
you and i spent some time discussing the issues involved with the cooking of steaks on a rayburn and the way the heat gets lost too quickly when you have the top plate covers open unless you have turned the heat up earlier in the day . we all had a good old look around the workshop and you asked me to save you the brackets that were in a scrap g wagen rear body tub for your blue cabrio (which i did and i hope they were ok when they were delivered).
we all then jumped into various g wagens and sprinter 4x4 vans (mark) and drove down to my friend mark bedsteads workshops and home to see some g wagens being built and to test drive /ride in some finished ones .
after this we all drove to Tony brueggers farm to see the David Grix (r.i.p.) expedition spec.G wagen that david had driven all over the deserts of africa in various trips (eddie gilmartin) had bought the 'desert grey stealth wagen' from cherie grix some months before .(tony bruegger was storing it for eddie) it made for a nice trip down memory lane for many of those present to be reunited with the 'grix wagen' and was especially enjoyed by Richard Wells who knew David Grix well and had a beautiful wreath in the back of his 300 gd lwb to be put with the tributes at the funeral .
do you really not remember these few days ? coming to my farm and meeting all of the others who were there?
i think a report was posted by in a g wizz by richard wells and i think there was also a thread written ,maybe you need to check .
axel - out
Silly Fwed
i thought this thread was about shocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cant wait to try my billys out
Jan - How are the decision's going? If, like me, you have looked through all the great information on this thread, it can become daunting!!!, However, having looked and check my springs - All OK and everything else, I took the safe way out with my decision in staying MB. Let us know what you are thinking/playing around with..... suspense is killing me!!!!
Fred - Was going to post up, but see Axel beat me to it. Remember him Now?
Spider1V
Apologies for the late reply here but only just recently got the work done. Went to ORC and got their special bilstein shock made by bilstein built developed by Orc. Kept the original springs. Handling has improved on highways, feels more stable in turns and seems to soak up the bumps better then originals. So more comfort and better handling. great result.
Rgds
Apologies for the late reply here but only just recently got the work done. Went to ORC and got their special bilstein shock made by bilstein built developed by Orc. Kept the original springs. Handling has improved on highways, feels more stable in turns and seems to soak up the bumps better then originals. So more comfort and better handling. great result.
Rgds
Yes, about half the price of getting the origional sachs units done at the merc dealer.
Yes, about half the price of getting the origional sachs units done at the merc dealer.
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Try the Koni Heavy Tracks. Set the damping quite firm. They can be rock hard if set to full. Excellent for controlling roll on road. A bit of a pain to adjust again but I think they are great. Didnt get the Raid version as I dont go to Dakar often.
Cheers Montreal, will take a read up about it, however (in an ideal world) something that is general purpose, and does not require me 'fiddling' once they have been installed, or does one have to with shocks anyway? Do you also have a part number or type range you could come back to me with?
Many thanks
Spider1V