Lowering the rear of a W124 300TE with sls
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From: Melbourne Australia
E430 Avantgarde
Lowering the rear of a W124 300TE with sls
Hi guys, I have a 7/89 300TE and wish to lower it all round. The front isn't an issue as you know but the rear has hydraulic sls. What is the best effective way to tackle this. Lower springs? remove sls? Height adjuster? or cut coils? Any advice is appreciated. I speak hotrod, so I wont be offended if you tell me to cut springs as long as it will work.
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From: Willoughby - Sydney, Australia
W219 - WDD219.3762
Hey,
I don;t know by how much you want to lower the TE but a cheap way to get a few mm down is to change the Coil spring shims. I would guess that the TE has the 3 - Point shims in the back and 2 Point shims in the front.
Each point is 8mm in thickness. So changing the shims @ the rear from 3 to 1 point would give you 16mm, all you need is a spring compressor.
MZ
I don;t know by how much you want to lower the TE but a cheap way to get a few mm down is to change the Coil spring shims. I would guess that the TE has the 3 - Point shims in the back and 2 Point shims in the front.
Each point is 8mm in thickness. So changing the shims @ the rear from 3 to 1 point would give you 16mm, all you need is a spring compressor.
MZ
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Melbourne Australia
E430 Avantgarde
Thanks mate. Guess what? My car is the exact same color as the vehicle above and it has AMG wheels 18x8 ET31 235/40/18 and 18x8.5 ET47 245/40/18 on it. I just need to lower it and it will be identical. I'll post a pic.
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1997 e320
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1990 300 te
If you cut springs, remove shims, or put sand bags in the back the SLS will do what is is supposed to do. It will bring it back to the correct heighth. You can adjust the link on the valve back by the differential to adjust the height.
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1997 e320
Where is the valve? Do I have to take off the tires to get to it? Thank you.
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Newbie
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1997 e320
Where is the valve? Do I have to take off the tires to get to it? Sorry I couldn't even locate the valve. Thanks
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1990 300 te
The valve is near the rear diff. About even with the top on one side. Has an arm and a ball end link that goes to the sway bar (as I recall). Put the car up on ramps so weight is on the tires and you can check the operation by unhooking the link and moving the lever while the engine is running. The ride height is adjusted by changing the length of the link. note: this is fairly dangerous if done incorrectly and could lead to you getting injured or killed.
The rear springs are so soft that I had real problems when my SLS system was inop. . It was fine when I was in the car alone but tended to drag on speed bumps and such when carrying passengers or cargo. My thoughts are to adjust it lower and leave it working. That way the ride height you want will be maintained. If you want to disable the SLS you will need stiffer springs and some shock absorbers.
The rear springs are so soft that I had real problems when my SLS system was inop. . It was fine when I was in the car alone but tended to drag on speed bumps and such when carrying passengers or cargo. My thoughts are to adjust it lower and leave it working. That way the ride height you want will be maintained. If you want to disable the SLS you will need stiffer springs and some shock absorbers.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13
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1997 e320
The valve is near the rear diff. About even with the top on one side. Has an arm and a ball end link that goes to the sway bar (as I recall). Put the car up on ramps so weight is on the tires and you can check the operation by unhooking the link and moving the lever while the engine is running. The ride height is adjusted by changing the length of the link. note: this is fairly dangerous if done incorrectly and could lead to you getting injured or killed.
The rear springs are so soft that I had real problems when my SLS system was inop. . It was fine when I was in the car alone but tended to drag on speed bumps and such when carrying passengers or cargo. My thoughts are to adjust it lower and leave it working. That way the ride height you want will be maintained. If you want to disable the SLS you will need stiffer springs and some shock absorbers.
The rear springs are so soft that I had real problems when my SLS system was inop. . It was fine when I was in the car alone but tended to drag on speed bumps and such when carrying passengers or cargo. My thoughts are to adjust it lower and leave it working. That way the ride height you want will be maintained. If you want to disable the SLS you will need stiffer springs and some shock absorbers.
Thank you so much. I'll try it this weekend. When I pull the lever will it drop automatically?
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1990 300 te
Root around here and the internet for pictures and trouble shooting guide. I found them at one time but don't remember exactly where. You will know the valve when you see it. Looks sort of like a brake proportioning valve with a bunch of hard lines going to it. With the engine running moving the lever one way raises the car and the other lowers it. Never tried but I assume that if you move the lever with the engine off the car would lower.
It would be interesting to build a solenoid or moter drive to operate the lever and raise and lower the car from the drivers seat. I suspect fitting the SLS cylinders to the front would be a lot of work but could be amusing. Paint it purple, add dingle *****, and tuck and roll....... Sorry, flash backs to San Fernando.
It would be interesting to build a solenoid or moter drive to operate the lever and raise and lower the car from the drivers seat. I suspect fitting the SLS cylinders to the front would be a lot of work but could be amusing. Paint it purple, add dingle *****, and tuck and roll....... Sorry, flash backs to San Fernando.
