W123 300TD rear hatch struts - both gone - is anyone still selling the OEM length or do I match aftermarket

Started by Kosta_K, 16-09-2025 09:48 AM. 8 replies. 1,847 views.

16-09-2025 09:48 AM

Kosta_K M.A.L.A.K.A.S.

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,372
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 280E Auto

anyone local seen this?

1983 300TD wagon at the cafe. Customer dropped it off yesterday. Both rear hatch struts dead - tailgate falls on your head if you open it without holding.

Want to replace with OEM length and force rating. The aftermarket struts on the W123 wagon are common but they are 10mm shorter than original which means the tailgate doesnt fully open. Customer is fussy. Wants original.

Where in Sydney can i source OEM 300TD hatch struts now

16-09-2025 11:18 AM

Vasilios_Billy

Lifetime Benzer

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,782
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 2020 AMG GT C

Kosta..

OEM Stabilus part for W123 S123 wagon tailgate strut is A 123 980 27 64.. force rating 450N. Extended length 481mm. The aftermarket Stabilus-branded part sold via Repco is 471mm extended (10mm short, as you note). It is the W123 SEDAN trunk strut not the wagon tailgate strut.

The genuine 481mm wagon strut is available now from:

Mercedes-Benz Sydney Service parts counter - about $110 each, special-order from Stuttgart, 6 week lead
Pelican Parts (online, USA) - about $58 US each plus shipping
Niemoller (German classic parts specialist online) - EUR 52 each

id order from Niemoller. Shipping to Australia is about EUR 40 for the pair. Total about $230 landed versus $220 at MB Sydney Service. The advantage of Niemoller is the 5-day delivery time. The advantage of MB Sydney Service is the local warranty.

Do not fit the Repco struts. The geometry is wrong and the tailgate will not fully open as you predicted.

16-09-2025 02:18 PM

Kosta_K M.A.L.A.K.A.S.

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,684
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 280E Auto

Niemoller.. ordered. Customer told 7 days. Cheers Vasilios..

Aside - the cafe is takeaway only this week for the lockdown. Coffee is on if you swing past Campbelltown.

16-09-2025 04:18 PM

Jim_HARDANA H.A.R.D.A.N.A.Legends

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sutherland NSW
Posts: 1,418

Kosta. If you ever need a hand on the rear end of one of these, my shed is open Sundays. Even just the struts can be a pain on the wagon - the upper mount tab is fragile if its rusty. Worth checking before you bolt the new ones up.

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