riding with no spring pads?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
2004 E55
riding with no spring pads?
I have a 208 on bleiston shock and h&r springs. i was wondering if anyone of you have experience riding without spring pads. the reason why is because i want my car lower and dont want to go through changing the suspension setup. how is the ride quality? does this damage any suspension components? etc... please help!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,905
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
Um, wow. dont do either. The springs dont come to a flat circle at the top so the spring pad has a plastic track that accomodates the top part of the spring. Driving the car without the pads will hurt both your springs and the spring housing. It will also hurt your handling since the spring will no longer be compressing straight down, but out like this )
As for cutting coils, that's always a bad idea. You guys should know that. If it isnt done just right, the springs will pop and snap becuase they will rotate. Also, the H&R springs are so small by themselves that if you cut any coils off they are going to fall out on the first speedbump you encounter (mine fell out on their own without any cutting).
If you want to lower it more, get smaller spring pads or a cup kit. Trying to cut corners is going to end up costing you far more in the long run when you end up damaging or breaking something. Plus it will hurt your ride quality.
As for cutting coils, that's always a bad idea. You guys should know that. If it isnt done just right, the springs will pop and snap becuase they will rotate. Also, the H&R springs are so small by themselves that if you cut any coils off they are going to fall out on the first speedbump you encounter (mine fell out on their own without any cutting).
If you want to lower it more, get smaller spring pads or a cup kit. Trying to cut corners is going to end up costing you far more in the long run when you end up damaging or breaking something. Plus it will hurt your ride quality.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
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From: Chicago
CLK/ML
The pads keeps the coils from moving around and generally "acting a fool", I wouldn't recommend removing them. Likewise, cutting the spring could result in erratic bouncing. To remove the pads you would have to remove the springs anyway, why not just put in some aftermarket springs?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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W208 CLK55K, GTR, RS5
I doubt his main concern is ride quality, and although cutting springs is something I would never do it's a very cheap alternative. In my opinion it's the safer of the two then riding without springs pads. People have always cut springs for as long as lowering springs have been around. I've seen people heat their springs as well, but that's pretty retarded.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8
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From: Malibu, CA
'99 CLK 320 Cabrio
Spring Pads
Did you install the springs & shocks with the original spring pads? If so, they were likely #5 front & #3 rear. Changing up to the E-class #1 Front (5mm) & #2 Rear (7mm) will lower the front an extra inch, the back a quarter, and will eliminate the wheel gap.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
remember that there is a difference between cutting factory springs and aftermarket springs. the H&Rs are about an inch and a half shorter than factory. Also, they are a lot stiffer, so you are going to have more clanging around and potential for the spring coming out, especially with stiffer shocks. Bottom line, dont do it.
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 98
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From: Lake mary, Florida
00 clk 320 and 3 hondas. Darn I am down to 4 cars.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with cutting coils from a spring.
This is what happens when you do
1. You change the spring's rate. The rate of the spring is based upon other things on the number of coils. if you remove coils the rate increases and it becomes harder to compress the spring, that's why cars get bouncier. Most people who cut springs do not change the shocks to handle the newer stiffer springs and the shocks wear out prematurely.
2 If you remove too many coils the spring might not sit properly in the cup and could come off when the suspension is fully extended.
3. If you cut the spring on the side where the coils have been machined to get a flatter surface, you will have trouble getting the spring to compress on its centerline and could cause rubbing issues and eventually spring failure.
I have cut one sometimes 2 coils on many many car's springs I have had and always upgraded the shocks and made sure to make the spring work like it did before. Not a single problem.
This is what happens when you do
1. You change the spring's rate. The rate of the spring is based upon other things on the number of coils. if you remove coils the rate increases and it becomes harder to compress the spring, that's why cars get bouncier. Most people who cut springs do not change the shocks to handle the newer stiffer springs and the shocks wear out prematurely.
2 If you remove too many coils the spring might not sit properly in the cup and could come off when the suspension is fully extended.
3. If you cut the spring on the side where the coils have been machined to get a flatter surface, you will have trouble getting the spring to compress on its centerline and could cause rubbing issues and eventually spring failure.
I have cut one sometimes 2 coils on many many car's springs I have had and always upgraded the shocks and made sure to make the spring work like it did before. Not a single problem.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Dallas, GA
2000 CLK-430 - Sold
I'am seriously amazed at the fact that people out there are spending anywhere from 20,000 on a used CLK - to about 50,000 on a new CLK and cutting springs. WOW, dont know about you guys but it does not make sense to me. I wonder if after market manufacturers of springs believed that a spring that has been cut to size was a grewat IDEA, dont you guys think that they would make them to that size or various sizes at that. A lowered car looks great but for every day driving, it is crazy. Lets say you keep your car garaged, congratulations, you are in that few select group that can afford to watch a car's value drop without enjoying it. Just my two cents. Did not mean to offend anyone.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 296
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From: Bay Area, CA
2004 E55
havnt been around the computer for a couple of days but THANKS to all that replied... i defiently will not cut the springs.. have done it in the past and the bounce and stiffness sucks... basically i wanted to elimate the wheel gap.. i dont want the wheels to be tucked.. just right above the body. i believe i got number 2s all the way around but i am not for sure. anyone have the same springs and shock upgrade with #1 pads that can post pics???
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From: Atlanta
03 C32 AMG
clkgeorge
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lake mary, Florida
Vehicle I drive: 00 clk 320 and 3 hondas. Darn I am down to 4 cars.
Posts: 97
Not trying to knock... cutting springs may be fine for some cars, but it just seems stupid to cut MB springs. Plus the guy already said he has H&R springs, if you cut them, even one coil, they WILL fall out.
Cutting springs....
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lake mary, Florida
Vehicle I drive: 00 clk 320 and 3 hondas. Darn I am down to 4 cars.
Posts: 97
Not trying to knock... cutting springs may be fine for some cars, but it just seems stupid to cut MB springs. Plus the guy already said he has H&R springs, if you cut them, even one coil, they WILL fall out.
Cutting springs....
Last edited by King320; Apr 6, 2006 at 11:09 PM.
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
clkgeorge
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lake mary, Florida
Vehicle I drive: 00 clk 320 and 3 hondas. Darn I am down to 4 cars.
Posts: 97
Not trying to knock... cutting springs may be fine for some cars, but it just seems stupid to cut MB springs. Plus the guy already said he has H&R springs, if you cut them, even one coil, they WILL fall out.
Cutting springs....
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lake mary, Florida
Vehicle I drive: 00 clk 320 and 3 hondas. Darn I am down to 4 cars.
Posts: 97
Not trying to knock... cutting springs may be fine for some cars, but it just seems stupid to cut MB springs. Plus the guy already said he has H&R springs, if you cut them, even one coil, they WILL fall out.
Cutting springs....
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 520
Likes: 1
From: Nor Cal
Piece of SH*T
I got H&R springs and I cut half a coil, no problems yet and it still doesn't ride as bad as everyone claims it to be, maybe because I hardly drive my car anyways haha. Oh well sucks for whoever that has bad experience with cut springs...
