PJmak

In order to maintain same ride height in the back and in the front, do you need the rear pads to be same thickness as the front? I have a feeling the rear ones need to be higher am I right??


I plan to run #2 in the front so Im assuming the rear has to be #3 or #4??

My car currently has no pads in the front and #1 in the rear.

Its hard for me to use my current setup as reference coz Ive had this setup for a while and its probably sagged more or less in the front\back

hookah

I would say you need thicker pads up front for a even stance. You have all that engine weight up front. I just did that same thing. Had 9mm all around, but front was to raked. now have 17mm front 9mm rear. looks perfect.

benzslo

The pads are just to fine tune whatever you've got. You could have a 5 and nothing, doesn't mean anything. It depends on your springs. You could have the same pads all around- all that means is you have the same pads all around. Doesn't mean you'll have even ride height if your springs are not setup for even ride height or have sagged at different rates or vehicle is loaded at uneven amounts. Do whatever you want with the pads to achieve whatever you want.

DRBC43AMG

I believe that the pad sizes are determined and fitted during the Factory build depending on what options are chosen and fitted on the vehicle. Not all W202s have the same pad #

benzslo

Right, for example a 94-97 280/36 is a heavier engine than the 43, and the 98+ 280 is even lighter. This is what pads are for. So there is no rule or standard here, do what is right for your car and your tastes.

PJmak

I have bilstein sport springs all around.

I just want to make suremy car doesnt end up being higher in the front. I would think that putting same pads all around would make the height the same assuming that one has same springs all around.

PJmak

And I dont have the proper tools to remove springs so Id want to get this done right the first time

DRBC43AMG

My Euro 43 was fitted with #1 pads front and rear from Factory.

mickey13

What about buying extra pads and returning the ones you dont use? but yeah im also wondering if the springs will sag after a while like maybe more in the front than the rear because of the extra weight.

benzslo

Front and rear springs are different from eachother, as well as front and rear suspension and weight on front and rear springs.
But if you go up x sizes on pad on one axle, it's a relatively safe bet that going up same size on the other axle you'll see roughly the same change in height.

mbsickness

In my case I had thicker pads in the rear as both my cars tended to squat. I have a bunch of pads sizes if you would like to try a specific size. I also have the Klann tool for the front springs which makes changing the pads a breeze.

PJmak

I need #1 pads for the front. Ill trade you brand new front #3 and #4 pads for those if you want.

nkctb7

I'm running #5 front/#4 rear. I'm changing to #4/#3 as I'm sitting a tad higher than I'd like.

mbsickness

Hey PJ, I checked and only have front #2. I have #2 and #3 rears. In anycase I have the Klann compressor so if you come to SF it will take 20 minutes to swap front pads.

ProjectC55

Some folks combine pads with screws. I have #5's all around and my car still sits kind of low with the Votlgand springs. Might combine a #1 pad with my present #5's for a little more height up front.

99CEEFOURTHREE

99CEEFOURTHREE

Vogtlands,b2 sports,4 REAR 5 FRONT.Slight rake,no rubbing at all on 18x8 fr 18x9.5 rear.

mickey13

what do you use to pull the rear springs?

DRBC43AMG

Klann spring compressor is ideal and safe, but you can get away with it using a floor jack

mickey13

i see klann knock offs on ebay for like 70 bux. any idea if they are OK to use?

eFifty5AMG

I have one, but have yet to use it. No need for one in the rear, I changed the rear pads without a compressor fairly easily.

DRBC43AMG

No idea, but I guess you need to be careful. Imagine when the spring is compressed, it carries a hefty amount of energy and if something bad happens, it can take off your head or hand

benzslo

The rears are barely compressed at all especially if they are lowering springs, really no danger.

DRBC43AMG

Agree, rears are not a dangerous or major issue. Fronts much more...