TASHO

Just ordered the set for 2002 E430 sport, is there anything I need to know before installing the set. And for anyone that has installed them personally, what is the level of difficulty?

43fatman

Its not that hard you just need the right tools Copmressor wise. I did mine a coulpe of months ago it took 6 hours to do with me swaping the pads out a few times till i had it how i wanted it. I would get #1 or #2 pads for the front or you will lift the car I had #5 pads stock with sports package. The rears i left the same as they were #1. My car only dropped 1" or 25mm.

TASHO

I do not know much about suspension in general, do the pads come with the springs, if not, where can I find the pads?

E420SportGT

pads are basically the rubber "pad" that each spring sits on, on top the spring perch. You can find them at your local benz dealer.

TASHO

Does anyone know what pads will provide the greatest drop? What numbers pads should I go with in the front and the rear to acheive the greatest drop?

43fatman

#1's are the lowest #5's highest if you have a sport there is a good chance you have #5 in front and #1 in the rear like mine did. I did not know this prior to lowering so I picked up a full set of #1 at the stealership fo $14US. When I put the springs on the front for the first time i left #5 in and the car actually went up 3/8 inch so i put the #1 in and after 2 and a half weeks i checked it and had about a 1" drop front and rear.

TASHO

very insightful, thank you for the info on that.

ohlord

raymond he is the bible on pads!
ohlord

jimmydagreek

If you're handy with tools, you can use the spring compressor to lower your car yourself. You just need to be extra careful and make sure that the spring compressor plates are sitting on the springs correctly and keep your face out of the way just in case, no joke. Once you do it the next time will be pretty easy. Below are the spring pad part numbers:

Front:
210 321 01 84 - 5mm
210 321 02 84 - 9mm
210 321 03 84 - 13 mm
210 321 04 84 - 17 mm
210 321 05 84 - 21 mm

Rear:
210 325 01 84 - 5 mm
210 325 02 84 - 9 mm
210 325 03 84 - 13 mm
210 325 04 84 - 17 mm

Oops, looks like I missing the part number for the #5 rear pad. I don't think anyone really uses the #5's when lowering.

raymond g-

dont think you missed it, j. it doesnt exist. :-) 1-4 only in rear.

jimmydagreek

Of course you'd know that!

raymond g-

somone on 124 forum had to customize a two piece, after learning that his
lowering spring was too short. i wondered about 210 and explored the Russian
parts list. found only 4 listed for the rear....5 in front.

TASHO

So I guess I am buying just 2 5mm for the front since my rears are already equipped with 5 mm right?

jimmydagreek

Are you sure that the rears are #1's or 5mm? If you car is stock then there can't be #1's in the rear. Check them out before you buy only 2 for the front...

raymond g-

you can, sure. just as long as you're aware that realistically, you're trying to
anticipate the wheel gap....and presuming that all things being equal, 5mm
pads all around will equal same wheel gap. there are other factors which may
skew the wheel gap, eg. springs settling differently, bushings wearing unevenly,
tire size/profile variations (staggared rims), etc etc. with all these factors
in play, it is possible that you'll need to swap out pads after a few hundred
miles.

TASHO

very interesting, thank you.....anyone else have any other suggestions?

Richard / E320

http://www.geocities.com/mymercedesb...oy_wheels.html