Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Shock Absorber: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

A smaller, FWD-based Mercedes — genuinely simpler rear suspension than the RWD-based range, but left and right are still separate parts.

Illustration of a rear shock absorber and coil spring

Illustration for editorial purposes

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A Genuinely Simpler Rear Axle, But Not a Simpler Parts List

Unlike the RWD-based C/E-Class/GLC range, the A-Class doesn't offer AIRMATIC air suspension — every version uses a conventional steel rear coil spring and shock absorber. That doesn't mean parts are interchangeable across the board, though: left and right shocks are separate, non-mirror-image references, and 4MATIC (all-wheel-drive) versions use a genuinely different rear shock from front-wheel-drive variants, reflecting the different rear axle layout needed for the AWD driveline.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Shock Absorber: The Part That Takes Every Bump Before You Feel It

On the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, steering duties mean the front suspension usually gets checked first, but rear shocks wear out too — just more quietly, with early symptoms that are easy to mistake for ordinary road noise until they get noticeably worse.

Before you buy: drivetrain (front-wheel-drive or 4MATIC) and left/right side both affect fitment. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Shock Absorber: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: How to Replace Rear Shock Absorbers: Mercedes A Class

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Shock Absorber reference plate

OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — rear shock absorbers (aftermarket) Febi Bilstein 1002681 / TRW JGT1336T

Accuracy note: Covers the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176 2012-2018) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Rear shock absorbers are replaced as a pair across the axle, because a new damper beside a worn one leaves the car feeling uneven. The right one depends on the engine, the suspension type (standard, sport or heavy-duty, and electronic damping on some models) and sometimes the body style. The references below are UK aftermarket catalogue listings for this generation, labelled by brand with the fitment details the catalogue gives; carmakers rarely publish the genuine number against these, so match a genuine damper against your VIN if you want a guaranteed fit. genuinely worth knowing: AMG Line and AMG-badged variants use a genuinely different, stiffer shock from standard trims — not interchangeable even though the mounting points look similar.

Rear shock absorbers (aftermarket)	Febi Bilstein 1002681 (gas, telescopic); TRW JGT1336T (gas, telescopic); TRW JGT1344T (gas, telescopic, sport); Vaico V30-3981 (gas, telescopic)
Genuine (OE) numbers quoted	None quoted in the catalogue listings — the genuine damper varies by engine, suspension type and body style, so order it against your VIN
Front-wheel drive, right	Genuinely a different part number from the left-side shock, and from the 4MATIC version below
Front-wheel drive, left	A genuinely different reference from the right-side shock above
4MATIC (all-wheel drive)	A genuinely different shock from the front-wheel-drive version, reflecting the different rear axle layout
AMG Line/AMG shock, where fitted	A genuinely different, stiffer shock from standard trims

Always replace the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's rear shocks in pairs for even handling and stability, even if only one side has visibly failed.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Shock Absorber: What It Does

Independently of the coil spring, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class's rear shock absorber governs how fast the rear suspension compresses and rebounds over bumps. Once worn, it lets the back of the car keep bouncing after a bump rather than settling promptly.

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class Rear Shock Absorber: Warning Signs, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Rear Shock Absorber Guide for symptoms of a worn shock, confirming fitment against your VIN, and OEM vs aftermarket guidance.

More Mercedes-Benz Rear Shock Absorber

The same part, covered across other Mercedes-Benz models.