Review on Enhance Ride Performance with 🚗 KYB 349226 Excel-G Gas Shock, Black by Macaiah Arreola

Fits the front position of the 2002 Mercedes ML500. He is w163 of Benz owners who are 'in the know'. The fronts were original at 15 years and 125,000 miles. They were marked with KYB and a Mercedes part number, so they were original parts. I'd say that's pretty good durability for this heavy 4800# SUV. A few installation tips: Soak in the old top nuts/hammer threads with a PB blaster. etc., rust remover, one or two days before work. With the ML front frame on jack stands and the front wheels off, take straight scissors or heavy duty shears and cut 2 parallel slits on each side of the inner fender just next to the front shock absorber. Sharpen. If you look into the engine bay you can see where to cut. Trim about 3-4 inches up and then stop. You can flip this valve down and easily access the shock's top nuts as well as hold the shock's flat surfaces so you can do this job from the side rather than trying to reach down (futile, there's no such thing on a V Place). -8 model, probably just as bad on V-6) next to the engine. This eliminates the need to pull on the inner wing skin (a major problem and can warp the metal edges of the wing) as you have just cut out the 'easy access hole'. I simply drilled two adjacent holes at the bottom of the flapper and liner and then added a tie down (two on each side) to hold the liner and valve in place and prevent debris from getting on it. My work was so neat it looks factory. I hope this cute ML500 luxury truck lasts long enough to hit the beats again - it makes it so much easier! This shock restored the OEM factory ride—firm and responsive, but generally not harsh. Well, for the heck, it's hard work. Hope this helps - David from East Texas