Lowering Spring Install
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Racine, WI
Pewter W211
Lowering Spring Install
I'm looking to install some lowering springs on my '03 E320 but was wondering from those of you that have had them done did you just go to a local shop to get them done or did you find a specialty (i.e speed or MB shop) shop to have them installed?
Lowering springs are by no means the hardest thing in the world to install but I'm not sure I'm willing to trust the local shops to touch my car at this point but I don't have any MB or european speed shops in the area so I may be out of luck.
Lowering springs are by no means the hardest thing in the world to install but I'm not sure I'm willing to trust the local shops to touch my car at this point but I don't have any MB or european speed shops in the area so I may be out of luck.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock, Tx
E350
I'm probably not the best person to respond since I'm a mechanic by profession, but lowering springs aren't that hard. But by the same token, they require some knowledge and equipment. It took me about 4 hours to do mine and I have done several before. If a shop is not familiar with them, it would probably take a full day to do the install and alignment.
Any shop that lowers cars or pick-ups can do a Mercedes. There's nothing special about them as far as the suspension goes since you don't have a 4-Matic. You will need 2 Mercedes camber adjusting bolts for the front to get your front camber settings back to spec. And unless you go with the K-Mac adjustable bushings in the rear, you will probably have a little too much negative camber on the rear. It's not usually enough to cause excessive tire wear, but on some cars that are already close to the maximum spec, there could be some wear issues.
Good luck and take some before and after photos.
Any shop that lowers cars or pick-ups can do a Mercedes. There's nothing special about them as far as the suspension goes since you don't have a 4-Matic. You will need 2 Mercedes camber adjusting bolts for the front to get your front camber settings back to spec. And unless you go with the K-Mac adjustable bushings in the rear, you will probably have a little too much negative camber on the rear. It's not usually enough to cause excessive tire wear, but on some cars that are already close to the maximum spec, there could be some wear issues.
Good luck and take some before and after photos.
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore, MD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Are you mechanically inclined?
I ask because, while I've never lowered a car, I've lifted plenty of Jeeps and have always done it in my driveway with a friend or two and nothing real special -- tool wise. I just have a standard mechanics set and air tools.
When I lifted my new 2011 Grand Cherokee it took 8-hours and then I took the scary 1.5-mile drive to the local goodyear tire center and they did the alignment and put my camber/caster angles back to spec (or as close to). It cost me $85.
I plan to lower my e350 in the spring and will do it myself and then I'll take it the same goodyear tire center for re-alignment. Right now I am trying to decide which springs to get -- there are quite a few options.
Hope this helps,
I ask because, while I've never lowered a car, I've lifted plenty of Jeeps and have always done it in my driveway with a friend or two and nothing real special -- tool wise. I just have a standard mechanics set and air tools.
When I lifted my new 2011 Grand Cherokee it took 8-hours and then I took the scary 1.5-mile drive to the local goodyear tire center and they did the alignment and put my camber/caster angles back to spec (or as close to). It cost me $85.
I plan to lower my e350 in the spring and will do it myself and then I'll take it the same goodyear tire center for re-alignment. Right now I am trying to decide which springs to get -- there are quite a few options.
Hope this helps,
