Rear suspension longitudinal strut installation details
Note: All self-locking bolts and nuts must be replaced!
1. The details of the installation of the longitudinal strut of the rear suspension are shown in the illustration, to which all references in the text refer.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. On models equipped with xenon headlights, disconnect the ride height control rod (120a) from the right tie rod (97).
4. On models 163.174 (ML 55 AMG), raise the additional fuel tank above the rear subframe.
5. Using a puller, release the tie rod ball joint from the hub assembly.
6. Having previously marked the installation position of the cam bolt relative to the subframe, disconnect the tie rod (97) from the latter. Assess the condition of the ball joint (see Section Checking the condition of the ball joints of the steering knuckle), replace it if necessary.
7. Installation is carried out in the reverse order - make sure that when tightening the fasteners the bridge occupies a strictly horizontal position. Make sure that the marks applied during dismantling are correctly aligned.