3 bump to 1 bump spring pads... worth the effort?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
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From: Richmond Va
2002 CLK 320
3 bump to 1 bump spring pads... worth the effort?
Hey guys,
I would like to get my 300E a little lower than she is right now, but at the moment I don't have the extra cash to go with lowering springs etc. I am currently running 3 bump spring pads in the back and 2 bump in the front. I know that going from a 3 bump to a 1 bump and 2 bump to no pads (with high pressure hose between the spring and the spring mount cup (not sure of the exact term for it)) will not decrease the height much.
Do you guys think that doing this will be a waste of my time, or will there be enough of a height difference for me to notice?
Thanks for your help,
Leo
I would like to get my 300E a little lower than she is right now, but at the moment I don't have the extra cash to go with lowering springs etc. I am currently running 3 bump spring pads in the back and 2 bump in the front. I know that going from a 3 bump to a 1 bump and 2 bump to no pads (with high pressure hose between the spring and the spring mount cup (not sure of the exact term for it)) will not decrease the height much.
Do you guys think that doing this will be a waste of my time, or will there be enough of a height difference for me to notice?
Thanks for your help,
Leo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Va
2002 CLK 320
Yeah, I was not going to cut the springs. I have to drive longer distances (Richmond, Va to Ct) a couple times a year, so I don't want the ride of the car to be affected by cutting the springs. If I do anything more drastic than spring pads, I will save up and do it correctly with lowering springs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
if you're fine tuning, every little bit helps. comes down to how low your car
already may be in terms of clearance. 2 bumps diff should be about 8mm
and for me, it's noticable. again, it depends on how discriminating you are
already may be in terms of clearance. 2 bumps diff should be about 8mm
and for me, it's noticable. again, it depends on how discriminating you are
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Va
2002 CLK 320
Thanks for the helpful tips, guys. I have a day off this weekend, so I think I'll just give it a shot and see how she looks with no and 1 bump pads.
I was told by the local mercedes mechanic that I can jack the car up, loosen the shock on the wheel I am working on, and then pretty much slip the spring out of the socket and then change the pad. Would you guys recommend I do it this way? Or should I rather see if I can get my hands on a spring compression tool for this car?
Thanks,
Leo
I was told by the local mercedes mechanic that I can jack the car up, loosen the shock on the wheel I am working on, and then pretty much slip the spring out of the socket and then change the pad. Would you guys recommend I do it this way? Or should I rather see if I can get my hands on a spring compression tool for this car?
Thanks,
Leo
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,403
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From: Clearwater Beach, Florida
2016 Cls63s AMG
Thanks for the helpful tips, guys. I have a day off this weekend, so I think I'll just give it a shot and see how she looks with no and 1 bump pads.
I was told by the local mercedes mechanic that I can jack the car up, loosen the shock on the wheel I am working on, and then pretty much slip the spring out of the socket and then change the pad. Would you guys recommend I do it this way? Or should I rather see if I can get my hands on a spring compression tool for this car?
Thanks,
Leo
I was told by the local mercedes mechanic that I can jack the car up, loosen the shock on the wheel I am working on, and then pretty much slip the spring out of the socket and then change the pad. Would you guys recommend I do it this way? Or should I rather see if I can get my hands on a spring compression tool for this car?
Thanks,
Leo
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Va
2002 CLK 320
One more question. Are the pads universal, or are the front/rear specific? Also, where do you guys order yours from? I was looking at Mercedesshop, but they seem to have only "front" pads. I am not sure if they would work for the rear as well.
Thanks
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
they are different diameters, usually, though I've not seen a 124 pad up close
enough to compare. they are so cheap you can really buy them from the
dealer and not worry too much. trend I see (within models) is that the thinner
pads cost less than the thicker ones. for my 210, the #1 may be $8, whereas
the #4 was $20.
check part #s to see if same or different between front and rear....
http://epc.startekinfo.com
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb.asp
enough to compare. they are so cheap you can really buy them from the
dealer and not worry too much. trend I see (within models) is that the thinner
pads cost less than the thicker ones. for my 210, the #1 may be $8, whereas
the #4 was $20.
check part #s to see if same or different between front and rear....
http://epc.startekinfo.com
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb.asp
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 11
From: Manchester, CT
The rears are easy to change out without a compressor...just undo the 3 bolts that hold the lower arm on, then the spring will fall right out.
Fronts are best done with an internal spring compressor. I've done it with a couple of floor jacks but it was scary.
Pads are front and rear specific also....and under $10 each (still I think) from a dealer.
fronts #1 at 8mm thick are 201 321 0984,13mm xxxx 1084, 18mm is xxxx 1184, 23 mm is xxxx 1284
rear #1s also at 8mm are 201 325 0944, 13mm is xxxxx 1044, 18mm is xxxx 1144
Supposedly...with each drop in pad thickness , which is 5mm, you get like 8-9mm of drop. Best buy good springs which you could find for $2-300, maybe less used. Don't cut springs ghetto style on a Benz (IMO)
Fronts are best done with an internal spring compressor. I've done it with a couple of floor jacks but it was scary.
Pads are front and rear specific also....and under $10 each (still I think) from a dealer.
fronts #1 at 8mm thick are 201 321 0984,13mm xxxx 1084, 18mm is xxxx 1184, 23 mm is xxxx 1284
rear #1s also at 8mm are 201 325 0944, 13mm is xxxxx 1044, 18mm is xxxx 1144
Supposedly...with each drop in pad thickness , which is 5mm, you get like 8-9mm of drop. Best buy good springs which you could find for $2-300, maybe less used. Don't cut springs ghetto style on a Benz (IMO)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 11
From: Manchester, CT
Oh, btw, if you are in CT...you can get wholesale part prices at Carriage House New London if you are a MB Club member...or drop my name to Grant in parts (I'm Jim Norris) he'll hook you up. Let me know if he doesn't, I'll rattle their cage down there. 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
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From: Richmond Va
2002 CLK 320
Jim, thanks for your help. I ordered the spring pads yesterday, so they should be in tomorrow and I'll install them on the weekend. The shop I go to here in town will let me borrow their spring compressor this weekend as well, so I won't have to try any risky maneuvers to get the front springs out. I am actually about to order some parts from Carriage House, but I am not sure if my MB Club number is still accurate or if it has expired, so I'll tell them you sent me their way.
Thanks again for all the help.
Thanks again for all the help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 11
From: Manchester, CT
You are very welcome. No problem
Good luck with the install...having access to the Klann-type internal spring compressor is real nice....don't bother un-doing the rears lower arm if you have it, it goes quite fast with the spring compressor.
There's a MBZ GTG in Torrington on June 14th if you are around.... e-mail me if you want more info.
Good luck with the install...having access to the Klann-type internal spring compressor is real nice....don't bother un-doing the rears lower arm if you have it, it goes quite fast with the spring compressor.
There's a MBZ GTG in Torrington on June 14th if you are around.... e-mail me if you want more info.
