suspension question
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: The States
1997 E420 sport
multiplicity?
I think you're all the same person...
OK, understand all. So if I go to MB dealer I can buy thinner pads and lower the car without doing springs/shocks?
How much do these pads cost?
-Chris
www.ck-r.com
OK, understand all. So if I go to MB dealer I can buy thinner pads and lower the car without doing springs/shocks?
How much do these pads cost?
-Chris
www.ck-r.com
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 2
From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
If you're serious, I'd suggest doing the springs too. Like Jimmy said, the ride and handling is much much better.
The pads are cheaper by comparison but assuming you also have #3's, the most you'll get is probably 6-7 mm = approx. 1/4" lower (if you went with #1) since the springs will compress and get stiffer when using a thinner pad and you won't get the full reduction in thickness.......
Yeah, Jimmy and I are like.........
The pads are cheaper by comparison but assuming you also have #3's, the most you'll get is probably 6-7 mm = approx. 1/4" lower (if you went with #1) since the springs will compress and get stiffer when using a thinner pad and you won't get the full reduction in thickness.......
Yeah, Jimmy and I are like.........
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Re: multiplicity?
Originally posted by ckracing
I think you're all the same person...
OK, understand all. So if I go to MB dealer I can buy thinner pads and lower the car without doing springs/shocks?
How much do these pads cost?
-Chris
www.ck-r.com
I think you're all the same person...
OK, understand all. So if I go to MB dealer I can buy thinner pads and lower the car without doing springs/shocks?
How much do these pads cost?
-Chris
www.ck-r.com
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: The States
1997 E420 sport
pads...
I don't know what size is on the car. I'll figure that out. Any easy way for me to do this (jacking up the car and taking a measurement???). Or, does this require removing the springs to find out.
Jimmy, I'll let you know.
I'm going to do springs, so I guess I'll have some tinkering with pads to get the height, rake, and stance right.
Thanks - Chris
www.ck-r.com
Jimmy, I'll let you know.
I'm going to do springs, so I guess I'll have some tinkering with pads to get the height, rake, and stance right.
Thanks - Chris
www.ck-r.com
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 2
From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
No, there will be nipple like things on the side of the ring.....# of nipples = # of pad. For the front just full lock it and peek inside with a torch (I think its on the top of the spring if I remember correctly). For the rear, you'll have to errr......yeah, jack it up.
As for height, this is exactly what this sort thread is for.....we've all gone thru the pain of trying..........
As for height, this is exactly what this sort thread is for.....we've all gone thru the pain of trying..........
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Yeah, jack up the car and look underneath into the springs where they mount to that black rubber thing at the top, that's the spring pad. Count the number of nipples on the the pad (you can see them with a flashlight from the bottom) and that's the size of your pad. The front and the rear should be different so make sure to check both. Good luck and have fun...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 2
From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Mine was #3 front and back....but maybe different for different option packages (mine's an "Advantgarde") and in different countries (I believe cars generally sit higher when stock in the US). Alex, I'd suggest you worry about that after you'd done the suspension system first cuz that obviously has an effect.........
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Originally mine had #3's in the fronts and #1's in the rear. I tucked tire with #1's in the rear with my suspension set up so I went with #2's all around and it's perfect...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
Spring compressor
Does everyone that changed their spring pads own their own spring compresssor? The $600 price range is preventing me from making that investment. What does everyone else do? Rent?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Re: Spring compressor
Originally posted by rob_fed
Does everyone that changed their spring pads own their own spring compresssor? The $600 price range is preventing me from making that investment. What does everyone else do? Rent?
Does everyone that changed their spring pads own their own spring compresssor? The $600 price range is preventing me from making that investment. What does everyone else do? Rent?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 405
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento, CA
W204 C300 2010
Re: Re: Spring compressor
Originally posted by jimmydagreek
I've never used a spring compressor, I do everything carefully with a jack and jack stands and it works out fine. The rear is really simple but the front is a bit more complicated. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined you shouldn't have a problem figuring it out. The spring compressor for the front would be a big help if you can get a hold of one though. Good luck.
I've never used a spring compressor, I do everything carefully with a jack and jack stands and it works out fine. The rear is really simple but the front is a bit more complicated. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined you shouldn't have a problem figuring it out. The spring compressor for the front would be a big help if you can get a hold of one though. Good luck.
Okay Jimmydagreek - This is what I am talking about. On other cars, especially F-body GM cars, I used to take the front springs out by jacking the front end up real high (setting the car on stands). The breaking the upper ball joint loose with a floorjack under the lower control arm. Then I was able to lower the jack, which lowered the arm, then I was able to pull the spring out.
On some GM trucks, I used was able to do the opposite, basically removed the lower control arm attachment bolts, then lowered the control arm from the rear.
On the W210, the rear looks like your can remove the lower shock mount, raise the rear end to let the rear springs uncompress, then, if you get the car raised enough they should come out. Is this how you did the rear?
On the front, did you break or release the upper or lower ball joint? Or the like old trucks, the lower control arm pivot points?
Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob
