X03

there is actually 2 different H&R springs. 1) Front 1.5 and rear 1.3 drop 2) 1.3 all around front and rear. I believe I have the 2nd set so it should be an even drop all around. For now, I'm just sooooo eager to put these on that I'll sacrifice a set of tires for the first time to see what happens....

Chris thanks for sacrificing your day off to help a brotha out!

ksing44

Mine was more than -3 in the rear after my first attempt. / \ It was cool looking in a way, and it handled like crazy, but -3 was way too negative for everyday. At the very least, be sure to know what you have now as stock. It also wouldn't hurt to simply get new pads. The old ones will have grooves from the old springs and they are probably just too old. New rubber is almost always good. I would also still try to ask around and search like crazy to see if you can find out what pads others are running with the same set-up. It really is a pain to go back under there just for the pads, even if you do it yourself. Well, that is unless you just love working on your car in the evenings and on weekends as a hobby.

Bye the way, I have Eibach ProKit springs, Bilstein HD shocks, 1 bump front, 3-bump rear, and K-MAC eccentric bushings in the rear for camber adjustment. I also have a leaky front Bilstein HD shock after about 5 years of operation. I am only about 1 inch lower than stock, so I really don't think that is why the shock failed. Maybe that is why, but really? They are guaranteed for life, but jeepers creepers now I have to remove the shock and sit and wait to get a replacement. That is if Bilstein thinks I deserve one. Maybe Bilsteins really are not all that I thought they would be or maybe it is just the way things are everywhere. I am learning that nothing lasts forever, even a W124 or a Bilstein shock. Next set will be the Sports. if the Sports fail, I will say the Bilsteins suck!!! I hope that doesn't rub anyone the wrong way.

STLe320

hey ksing, your sig is SOOO true!!! lol

ksing44

Yea, I'm stupid or crazy. Just ask my wife, she can't believe I would ever consider fixing the thing again. She loves her Hinda Accord, but it ain't be no Azure Blue 1995 E320 Special Edition W124!!!

X03

So finally, the update everybody has probably been waiting for...

BEFORE





AFTER (Unfortunately I dont have any good pictures)









So as you can tell I have a major problem. It turns out that H&R made springs that fit on a 300E and 400E but were stiffened to support the extra weight of the V8. So now I am left with this huuge gap in the front. I am running a #3 pad in the front. So now I have 2 options:

1 - Change the spring pad to #1 and try to even out the car that way (dont think the drop will be enough though)
2 - Cut a coil off the spring

Any ideas? recommendations?

Saijin_Naib

Change the bump pad to 1 or take it out entirely, no spring chops, bad for the suspension

ksing44

Don’t feel too bad. I had a similar issue with the Eibach springs. I felt terrible when I saw my car, but it all worked out OK in the end. Mine dropped way too much in the rear, so I had to swap for 2-bump bigger in the rear. It is just a little trial and error for every car. Some guys get lucky the first try, but others are not so lucky.

Each bump is 5mm in thickness, but others have commented that it can translate to 7mm at the fender lip due to the geometry of the suspension. If you reduce by 2 bumps in the front, a 14mm change is about a half an inch lower. I think you might be surprised how much better it looks being just one half inch lower. I noticed that small changes are very apparent when the gap is smaller. I have also noticed that when I load my car, the back drops and the front goes up. I am just trying to say that you might get a more symmetrical drop with the rear a bit higher and the front a bit lower when you swap for smaller pads in the front. You may also find that the car settles a little lower over time. I think I would start with just going to 1-bump front.

Did you use new pads all around? The old ones usually have pretty deep groves that might affect height depending on how the springs are fitting or not fitting into the old grooves.

ozopera

X03

I reply you Pm already, please check! couse i think you pm is full!

ZorroAMG

As I stated at the other forum, I think you have the wrong springs OR they didnt even install them. It's the SAME height as stock. Go back to where you got the springs and show them...they need to reorder the proper springs.

88BENZIN

Can someone explain what a bump is?

ZorroAMG

There are spring pads at the top of where the spring hits the perch for a bit more added dampening when fully compressed. They come in different thicknesses (1bump-4bump) depending on the trim package you got with your W124 from the factory. They will lower or raise the car a bit.

STLe320

Zorro, what bump are you running on enzo?

Off topic real quick: Can I run 18x8.5 if I get the fenders rolled or AMG spacers?

X03

they installed the springs, he even showed me how the (F) on them so he didn't install them backwards. I have the stock springs in my garage at home.

I know the front still looks the same, its because they were stiffened to also support the V8. I actually bought the springs on ebay....so I am stuck with these. I dont really want to spend more money on buying more springs and be left with 2 front 400E springs that I have no use for.

X03

ozopera, sorry about the inbox! I deleted some to make some room, try resending!

I know its pretty much my fault for not doing more research and getting into this position, but now that I am in it...I need to see if you guys think that a #1 spring pad will bring down the car enough to fix the front....

ZorroAMG

in that case if you don't have the cash for new fronts, cut a coil and then when money permits if you absolutely hate the handling, you can get the RIGHT ones for your car.

Cutting coils wont be THAT bad and will still be better than stock.

X03

so here is a random thought, when they installed the springs/shocks, they also replaced the bump stop as the old ones were all worn and pretty much dissolved. Could this have anything to do with it?

berti_00

i am with 18x8.5 all around and never rub but my frenders are rolld tho but you can deff do it

STLe320

thanks alot berti! did you have a shop roll yours, or did you do it yourself?

berti_00

with our cars the darn body is hella strong so the shop is a must unles you got tools that they do and you not scared of screwing up you knoww... but yah it will run 1 to 200 do do them if not more...

Bigpete123

bump stops have nothing to do with it. They are only there to keep your springs from compressing too far when you hit a big bump. They don't come in contact with anything until you hit a big bump (i.e., often referred to as your car "bottoming out").

Sorry dude. If I were you, I would go back to stock, re-sell your springs on ebay, and wait until you can afford the correct springs. Either way, you're gonna have to absorb the cost of uninstalling the front springs (to cut a coil or to remove them)... and if you cut a coil, you're gonna have to get another alignment.

So the labor cost of either alternative is the same, plus the cost of cutting a coil. So cut your losses (not a coil) and save up for the real deal.

ksing44

I also think you should try use the correct springs for your car. From reading other posts, it sounded like springs for the V8 were in shorter supply than for the six, so there may be a good market for you to simply get out of your situation by selling what you have and getting the correct springs. I also think you might be surprised how much better it looks if you reduce the pads to 1-bump in the front. That might be OK for a temporary fix until you get the correct springs. The bad thing, if like me you are not doing this swapping yourself, it costs more money every time and then more money again for another alignment.