Well, decided to make this a suspension weekend. I got sick of seeing the 4x4 ride height and barge-like floating suspension of my wife's CLK. Pulled her suspension off and replaced the springs with H&R's. The CLK suspension is really simple, and the job was pretty easy. The H&R's give the CLK a 1.5" drop and now it finally looks like a sportscar. The ride is much tighter, but still nowhere near auto-X capable.

Next, it was time to tackle the nice goodies Mike from AWE sent me from Bilstein


Really a nice looking set of hardware. First I measured the old ride height of my car with the Techart springs, and also marked the strut hat nuts locations in the front to give me an idea where I would want to set the car.

Next, pulled off the fronts





Reassembled the hats to the new Bilsteins.




Notice how primitive the stock suspension looks compared to the PSS10 unit.



Back installed and tightened up.



Moved on to the rear, which is a simpler job. Removing the rear strut:



Unbolting the rear hats from the inside



Comparing new Bilstein vs stock



New rear Bilstein installed




Impressions: went for a 5 minute drive, and have to say it is a very nice and compliant ride. No error lights, no harshness or chop, no noises whatsoever. The regular PASM mode feels tighter than before, but smoother at the same time. Sport mode is even better - tighter but without any harshness. If the Techart springs were an 8/10, these are a 9.5/10. I cannot wait to get the car aligned and on the track in 3 weeks!

 

Wow, two suspensions in one weekend!!! That's Harsh!! Nice photos and write up. Your ride impressions are the same as mine. I look forward to reading about your track impressions.

 

Great job and pics to show. It looked easier than when you did the TA springs. Any special tools?

 

I needed a spanner wrench (actually a 944 balance shaft pulley tool from 9xauto) and a OTC front end tool set. The spanner holds the washer of the front strut so you can unscrew the top nut. The front end tool set allows you to pop off the tie rod ball joint and the lower control arm ball joint. No domestic tie rod puller will fit in there

 

impressive, how long did it take you?

 

2 hrs for the Merc, 4 hours for the TT

 

Bravo!

Gene, thanks again for your order.

 

Gene...a little off topic, but I noticed that you had your car jacked up in your garage. Are those race deck tiles? Do they support your jack and weight of the car?

 

i would love to see your pictures, but cannot see them???

 

Yes, race deck. They support the jacks but will dimple a little bit.

 

Also, can you confirm that we have to use a number of the stock parts (hat assemblies and rubber rings)? It seems that way in your pictures. Thanks,

 

yes the stock hats are re-used in the front. In the rear one washer is also re-used. Bilstein supplies new front sway links which are much beefier as well. The front sway links need to mount to the outboard side of the sway blade ends, vs inboard mounting for the stock links

 

How do the new rear hats look? Do they look just like stock or do they protrude a little?

I'm having a few issues with mine. Thanks,

Charles

 

the stock rear hats are re-used. Fitment should look just like stock

 

Thank you. I'm arguing with my installer over this! I'll also be sure to mention the other learning that the stock rings should be used instead of the Bilstein ones. Thanks again!