Which spring pads?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 16
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'91 300E
Which spring pads?
Hey guys,
After having Eibach "pro kit" springs installed on my '91 300E (with boge shocks) a few months ago, the car still doesn't sit to my liking. The whole car still sits too high, with the front sitting higher than the back. Apparently, I have the thickest spring pads right now. So the answer seems to be switching out the spring pads for thinnner ones. The question is what thickness front and back? My mechanic is looking to the dealer for answers, but I would rather take your advise. Anyone? By the way, I have 17x7.5 AMG's w/215 45's so there seems to be plenty of clearance. Thanks!
After having Eibach "pro kit" springs installed on my '91 300E (with boge shocks) a few months ago, the car still doesn't sit to my liking. The whole car still sits too high, with the front sitting higher than the back. Apparently, I have the thickest spring pads right now. So the answer seems to be switching out the spring pads for thinnner ones. The question is what thickness front and back? My mechanic is looking to the dealer for answers, but I would rather take your advise. Anyone? By the way, I have 17x7.5 AMG's w/215 45's so there seems to be plenty of clearance. Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 4
From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
1-bump, 2-bump, 3-bump?
I had 3-bump (15mm) all around when stock and I used 1-bump (5mm) all around after installing the Eibach Springs. The rear dropped about ½ inch more than the front, so I switched to 3-bump in the rear because I wanted a symmetrical drop, but now I wish I had only moved up to 2-bump in the rear. The 5mm difference in the pad seems to translate to more like 8mm to 10mm at the fender when they are installed. I am not absolutely sure how much was just the difference in the pad, because I also added the K-MAC rear bushing to control the rear camber. I read in some posts that the difference should be a 7mm change at the fender for every 5mm in the pad, based on the geometry of the suspension. It is funny, because the small differences are actually very noticeable when the fender gap is small. When my car was sky high with the stock suspension, a few millimeters wouldn’t have mattered. Now, however, the gap is smaller and every little difference is very obvious.
I think that selecting the “correct” pad has to be determined empirically for each car. It is trial and error. Every post I read has different experiences. The cars are different from year to year and model to model. I used AMG Monoblock 16” X 7.5” wheels with 37 offset and 205/55/16 Michelins. The wheels and tires fit fine on my 1995 E320 SE.
I think that selecting the “correct” pad has to be determined empirically for each car. It is trial and error. Every post I read has different experiences. The cars are different from year to year and model to model. I used AMG Monoblock 16” X 7.5” wheels with 37 offset and 205/55/16 Michelins. The wheels and tires fit fine on my 1995 E320 SE.
