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

Because the Mercedes-Benz CLA's front suspension is tied to steering feel, it tends to get all the attention — but rear shocks wear at a similar rate, with symptoms subtle enough to be mistaken for road noise until the problem has clearly worsened.

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 CLA Rear Shock Absorber: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: KYB MERCEDES A Class Rear

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This video shows a closely related car on the same platform, so the mounts and fixings can differ slightly on yours.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 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 CLA (C117 2013-2019) 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)
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 CLA's rear shocks in pairs for even handling and stability, even if only one side has visibly failed.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Rear Shock Absorber: What It Does

On the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the rear shock absorber's role — separate from the coil spring — is managing how quickly the suspension compresses and rebounds over bumps. When it wears out, the rear end keeps bouncing rather than settling quickly.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA 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.