Spring Pad Pros Please Help
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c43
Spring Pad Pros Please Help
When I purchased the car several months ago the last owner lowered the car. He had the front lowered more than the back for whatever reason? The left picture is front and the right is rear.
I want to make the car even all around so I want to LOWER the back the same as the front. My question is which number pads do I use? I was told the pads go from 1-5 and the price is like $22.00 each.
I like the way the cars here in the forums look, they seem to be the same height all around. The fron of my car does not rub so I dont mind going that low in the rear.
Another question that just came to mind. Once I lower the rear will it give me a rougher ride?
Thanks for any help.
I want to make the car even all around so I want to LOWER the back the same as the front. My question is which number pads do I use? I was told the pads go from 1-5 and the price is like $22.00 each.
I like the way the cars here in the forums look, they seem to be the same height all around. The fron of my car does not rub so I dont mind going that low in the rear.
Another question that just came to mind. Once I lower the rear will it give me a rougher ride?
Thanks for any help.
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Youngtimer
check what number bump pads you have on the back right now. each bump is ~5mm-8mm in height, so you can figure out what number you need depending on how much lower you need to go.
the bumps are on the edge of the pad, and you can usually see them sticking out if you look under the car. here's some pics of two-bump pads:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....3&postcount=17
the bumps are on the edge of the pad, and you can usually see them sticking out if you look under the car. here's some pics of two-bump pads:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....3&postcount=17
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300E 3.2
Chances are the car was lowered and the stock pads were used, or simply the same size pads were used on both F&R. Hopefully you aren't at #1's all around, because then you of course will have to go through the whole spring compressor hassle on the front if you diy
you shouldn't really notice a difference if/when you get the difference squared away.
you shouldn't really notice a difference if/when you get the difference squared away.
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c43
Great info guys!
Ok, Heres what I have (please also look at the pictures)
Front= #4 pads and 8 coils with a SILVER marking on one of the coils.
Back= #2 pads and 7 coils with a BLUE marking on one of the coils.
Now what should I do to get my car level?
Should I buy #1 pads for the rear to lower it?
Will that be enough to make things even?
I dont think there's much I can do with the front except go UP which I really dont want to IF I dont have too.
I hope you guys can suggest something asap because my BM dealer needs to order some of the pads as they are not all in stock. So if I can order what I need TODAY that would be great. BTW, Is the lower the pad # the thinner or what?
Thanks everyone.
Ok, Heres what I have (please also look at the pictures)
Front= #4 pads and 8 coils with a SILVER marking on one of the coils.
Back= #2 pads and 7 coils with a BLUE marking on one of the coils.
Now what should I do to get my car level?
Should I buy #1 pads for the rear to lower it?
Will that be enough to make things even?
I dont think there's much I can do with the front except go UP which I really dont want to IF I dont have too.
I hope you guys can suggest something asap because my BM dealer needs to order some of the pads as they are not all in stock. So if I can order what I need TODAY that would be great. BTW, Is the lower the pad # the thinner or what?
Thanks everyone.
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300E 3.2
The lower the #, the thinner the pad. Going from 2 to 1 will be around a 5-8mm difference. So you'd have to measure to see if that will make it level or close enough for you. Which will answer if you'll have to go up on the front end or not. You can order the pads yourself though, and perhaps cheaper than the dealer.
No spring pads is prob a bad idea and I imagine a rough ride. You don't say what you are running now, but I'd first go #1's, or whatever balances depending on your options and go from there, pads only cost like $25-30 for the set anyway. Worse comes to worse why not get lowering springs with more drop? or cut your existing lowering springs?
No spring pads is prob a bad idea and I imagine a rough ride. You don't say what you are running now, but I'd first go #1's, or whatever balances depending on your options and go from there, pads only cost like $25-30 for the set anyway. Worse comes to worse why not get lowering springs with more drop? or cut your existing lowering springs?
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c43
"No spring pads is prob a bad idea and I imagine a rough ride. You don't say what you are running now, but I'd first go #1's, or whatever balances depending on your options and go from there, pads only cost like $25-30 for the set anyway. Worse comes to worse why not get lowering springs with more drop? or cut your existing lowering springs?"
i did say, 4 on front and 2 on rear. If I cut the spring will that be okay to do? I will have to cut about an inch.
i did say, 4 on front and 2 on rear. If I cut the spring will that be okay to do? I will have to cut about an inch.
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300E 3.2
That wasn't directed to you (myc43) that was directed to berti who asked about not running any spring pads.
myc43 just measure the gap and see if #1's would bring the car even enough for you. cutting your springs 1/2" doesn't mean it would drop 1/2" anyway. If dropping to #1's in the rear isn't going to make it even you make have to go larger in the front. People cut springs when trying to really slam their cars without going to a crazy expensive adjustable setup, not to even out ride heights.
myc43 just measure the gap and see if #1's would bring the car even enough for you. cutting your springs 1/2" doesn't mean it would drop 1/2" anyway. If dropping to #1's in the rear isn't going to make it even you make have to go larger in the front. People cut springs when trying to really slam their cars without going to a crazy expensive adjustable setup, not to even out ride heights.
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c43
Yes I did some reading last night and no I will not cut the springs. What I might do raise the front by stacking 2 #4 pads. Beamer guys have been doing this and some MB guys. Anyone have any suggestions in this method?
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Youngtimer
i had #2 pads on the rear of my car, and i was going to switch out to #1 pads. However, i removed my subs, and they were heavy, so the car went up by a lot. so now i'm running with no spring pads on the rear (there are a few w124 people that have been running with no pads for a while now), and have no issues at all, no funny noises, no clanking, etc.
i personally would think twice about stacking pads. the top of the springs sit in 'cups', that the spring pads fit into. if you stack two thick pads, i can see the spring sitting too high in the cup and maybe slipping out of you come off a large dip in the road, if that makes sense.
for starters i would try to remove your rear pads and see how that balances out the car. from #2 to no pad should drop by around half an inch, I would say...
i personally would think twice about stacking pads. the top of the springs sit in 'cups', that the spring pads fit into. if you stack two thick pads, i can see the spring sitting too high in the cup and maybe slipping out of you come off a large dip in the road, if that makes sense.
for starters i would try to remove your rear pads and see how that balances out the car. from #2 to no pad should drop by around half an inch, I would say...
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c43
Zed thanks a bunch. I have read that the rear springs can come off without even having to use a spring compresor,is this correct? I'm going to go that route and see how low the car gets.
Also, anyway I can check to see if my front shocks are good? I dont like the way the car handles big bumps on the road, they are rough and a but loud. The rear shocks are monroe sansatrac but the fron are just plain black with no brand name.
Is there any procedure I have to go through to check the fronts also to moroes like the rear? When the car hits the same bumps on the back the shocks handle them better. Or maybe its because its lighter in the back?
Also, anyway I can check to see if my front shocks are good? I dont like the way the car handles big bumps on the road, they are rough and a but loud. The rear shocks are monroe sansatrac but the fron are just plain black with no brand name.
Is there any procedure I have to go through to check the fronts also to moroes like the rear? When the car hits the same bumps on the back the shocks handle them better. Or maybe its because its lighter in the back?
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Youngtimer
i think to remove the rear springs without a compressor requires some tricky maneuvers with a floor jack and dropping the suspension arms, not sure though. i bought a compressor online, and just squeezed the spring enough to pull the pads off.
it sounds like your rear shocks were replaced at some point, but your fronts were not. newer shocks tend to hold the car up better than old ones, so if you are still on the original front shocks this might be why the front is lower. think about taking the car in to a shop and asking them what shape your shocks are in. it might just be that if you get new shocks, the car will level out and you won't have to touch the pads at all...
where are you located?
it sounds like your rear shocks were replaced at some point, but your fronts were not. newer shocks tend to hold the car up better than old ones, so if you are still on the original front shocks this might be why the front is lower. think about taking the car in to a shop and asking them what shape your shocks are in. it might just be that if you get new shocks, the car will level out and you won't have to touch the pads at all...
where are you located?
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c43
Btw2, I just read "how stuff works" and they did ot say anywhere that a shock holds up a car. I'm sorry to ask but are you REALLY sure that if I replace the front shocks the car will lift about an inch?
Thanks
Thanks
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Youngtimer
the shocks are dampers, they prevent the car from continuing to bounce on the springs when you hot a bump. the shocks do provide some support, which is why when you blow a shock, the car sits only on the spring and will sit lower than normal.
not sure why none of these c43 people are chiming in, they would know better how the car sits when stock, i.e. if it's completely level, slightly raked, etc.
my opinion is that your front shocks are old, which is why you said the rear feels better when you hit bumps than the front. i'm not a suspension expert though, just trying to help you out. take your car to a shop and ask them what they think.
also, push down on the hood and try to 'bounce' your car up and down from the front, and from the back, and see if the front bounces more than the back. far from scientific, but it might give you an idea if your front bounces more.
can't really help you out past this, but good luck...
not sure why none of these c43 people are chiming in, they would know better how the car sits when stock, i.e. if it's completely level, slightly raked, etc.
my opinion is that your front shocks are old, which is why you said the rear feels better when you hit bumps than the front. i'm not a suspension expert though, just trying to help you out. take your car to a shop and ask them what they think.
also, push down on the hood and try to 'bounce' your car up and down from the front, and from the back, and see if the front bounces more than the back. far from scientific, but it might give you an idea if your front bounces more.
can't really help you out past this, but good luck...
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C63 AMG P30 *EuroCharged*| Porsche Cayenne | Buell XB9SX
myc43 ... did you come to a resolution? i got my car back in 2003 (with the stock springs), and it had a slight rake to it (lower front end). over the years, my rear springs started dying, which made the back of my car lower than the front until i changed the springs last year to a set of lowering springs. i think i had #4 pads in front #2 pads in back, and the car is currently slightly raked toward the front.
i personally like a slightly lower front end, but of course, this is personal preference. the difference didnt look that bad in your pics. do you have a full side shot of your car?
i personally like a slightly lower front end, but of course, this is personal preference. the difference didnt look that bad in your pics. do you have a full side shot of your car?
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Aerodynamics........when you get up into the 130-150mph range it helps with the stability of the car.You may not reach these speeds here , but remember, this car was built for the autobahn.
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c43
Thanks.
Btw, I'm going to keep it this way except I will be changing front shocks.
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98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Mine is stock and its set up lower in front (not by much) and higher in back.
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1999 C43 AMG
i have the same spring as yours, that is a euro spec spring so changing the pads to the lowest number won't be noticeable plus you are just wasting your money. i have #2 in front and #1 at the back. i just installed my h&r springs which has been lying around my garage for months. i'm glad i finally did it but i'm having rubbing issues now. i even used #5 up front and #3 at the back
