CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Suspension Advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 05:56 PM
  #1  
acb3nz's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Nova / Rockville
Custom CLK / 05 E500 4matic / 04 Acura TL <<Daily
Suspension Advice

I just recently purchased my new suspension with 4 koni's adjustable shocks and a set of 4 H&R springs. Wondering what type of spring pads I should put on the car both in front and rear. Keeping in mind I have the Carlsson bumper installed I want to make sure that I do the installation right the first time so its neither to low or to high in either the front or rear. Input ASAP helps I want to do the install this weekend.

Last edited by acb3nz; Mar 7, 2006 at 06:05 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 10:30 PM
  #2  
Martin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: U.S.A
CLK320, Carrera S
That depends on the drop you want. I just put new springs and shocks in my car, a 2001 CLK320 and I did not want much additional drop.

The story so far:
I bought Eibach springs (for lowest drop) and Koni shocks for their adjustability.
The springs are supposed to drop 1 – 1.2 inches (I wanted max one inch).
The spring pads in front were #5 and #4 in back. To find out what you have you have to reach under the car and feel the pads (in the top of the suspension assembly) run your fingers around and you will find some raised dimples, count them and that is the pad you have.
I decided to leave the pads alone (to increase drop put in a lower pad #, #5 is the thickest pad you can get). I hoped to get an even drop of say 1 inch by leaving in the original pads.
The actual drop was 0.6 inches in back (Great!) and 0.1 in front (not so good) I am going to drive it a while to make sure everything settles but I will probably swap out the pads in front for #3 to gain about 0.6 inches of drop in front. The fender gaps are uneven now and I want them to match.

I set the shocks at the softest setting and the car rides well, I might increase them one stop some day but that means taking everything apart again! Stiffness is on par with my 2004 325i BMW with the sports package so I am happy since the CLK320 is my daily driver, and I want a comfortable ride.

I did not do the install!

Here is some info on Spring Pads:
Pad sizes are: 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 mm, designated by the part number #'s by numbering them 1 (thinnest), 2, 3, 4, and 5 (thickest) the third group of numbers 01, 02 etc.
Front:
210-321-01-84 5mm
210-321-02-84 9mm
210-321-03-84 13mm
210-321-04-84 17mm
210-321-05-84 21mm

Rear:
210-325-01-84 5mm
210-325-02-84 9mm
210-325-03-84 13mm
210-325-04-84 17mm
210-325-05-84 21mm

Remember the car will drop more than the difference in spring pad thickness (the pads are closer to the pivot than the wheel).

Last edited by Martin; Mar 7, 2006 at 10:32 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2006 | 10:38 PM
  #3  
CH2iS*'s Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Rosemead, CA
'01 CLK430
Haven't done mines yet, just waiting to pick up a few more things before I get down and dirty with the suspension. For mines the front will get the #1 pads and the rear will have the #3 pads. I kinda like the nose down look versus the even drop all around. More aggresive looking (IMO).
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2006 | 01:18 AM
  #4  
blackbenzz's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,489
Likes: 96
haters crazy
Originally Posted by CH2iS*
Haven't done mines yet, just waiting to pick up a few more things before I get down and dirty with the suspension. For mines the front will get the #1 pads and the rear will have the #3 pads. I kinda like the nose down look versus the even drop all around. More aggresive looking (IMO).
I agree, thats exactly how mine looks
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2006 | 02:20 AM
  #5  
acb3nz's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Nova / Rockville
Custom CLK / 05 E500 4matic / 04 Acura TL <<Daily
Originally Posted by CH2iS*
Haven't done mines yet, just waiting to pick up a few more things before I get down and dirty with the suspension. For mines the front will get the #1 pads and the rear will have the #3 pads. I kinda like the nose down look versus the even drop all around. More aggresive looking (IMO).
This is what im trying to achive. But if i put #1 pads in front will my RS bumper be on the ground I really hope not i guess i will find out, also does any one knows wich pads size does our car comes with the stock suspension? Thanks for the help guys.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2006 | 07:35 AM
  #6  
CH2iS*'s Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Rosemead, CA
'01 CLK430
Originally Posted by acb3nz
This is what im trying to achive. But if i put #1 pads in front will my RS bumper be on the ground I really hope not i guess i will find out, also does any one knows wich pads size does our car comes with the stock suspension? Thanks for the help guys.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...light=clk+pads
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2006 | 01:58 PM
  #7  
gate1way2's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W220, W208, W203
i had the #1 & #3 in the front with the RS & the cupkit for suspension. The bumper does not hit the floor when driving on flat roads with either. Even if you have a #3 or #1 your gonna scrape the bumper if you don't attack driveways at the right angle with the RS.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2006 | 02:31 PM
  #8  
acb3nz's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Nova / Rockville
Custom CLK / 05 E500 4matic / 04 Acura TL <<Daily
So i guess im gonna go with #1 in the front and #3 for the rears, I will also try to adjust the koni's for the rear in the middle setting and do a the soft setting in the front, Thanks for the help guys.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-5

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:53 AM.

story-0
10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

Slideshow: These estates prove you don't need extra ride height to have performance, style, and everyday usability.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-23 14:16:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-4
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE