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I recently had my front springs replaced by a local specialist following the NSF breaking.
I got the genuine ones using the colour codes etc.
Now they are replaced they sit way higher than the rear. I have left it a couple of months to settle but no different.
I understand from research that there is a means of adjustment that should have been set when replaced and I’ll call the specialist tomorrow to ask. However, if this is the case and it needs adjustment, how will they get the level right? I presume the springs etc have to come out again and can’t be adjusted in place.
Hi Steve,
I ran into this when I replaced my springs a year ago. I mistakenly purchased the incorrect springs (slightly thicker and beefier). This resulted in a definite high front end. Initially I installed with the adjustable support spring at the same point on the shock as the old one so that in theory, the height would be the same. As you can see in the last two pictures, there is quite of adjustment from top to bottom based on where you put the spring. If you are 100% sure you have the right spring, you can lower the adjustment spring to lower the ride height. From my experience, it was trial and errror to get it right since is a pain since it requires a spring compressor. Good luck! Correct spring is on the right. Full struct assembly Original adjustable spring setting. The spring cup in the silver piece on the right. It slides down the shock and is held in place by the spring. Final adjustable spring setting. I ended up lowering the front and back about an inch. The back shocks also have a separate set of adjustment plates.
Yep, it sounds like whoever did them didn't set the rings to the correct height. I got a set of Bilstein and by default, they were at the very top which would make them too high. One of the first things I did was set the rings to the lower ones. You have to match them up to the old springs to get the right height but now that they're gone, it's probably 2 or 3 rings from the bottom depending on the strut you have. I think my Bilstein had 10 rungs and in the pic above I see 11. You do have to take the spring off in order to move ring down to a lower rung. There were sport, luxury, 4matic, rwd, gas diesel, v6/v8 options, who knows what ride height went with each option.
Thanks Folks... I've got another MB specialist I used to use taking a look at the rear air suspension issue I've noticed and he said he'd look at this at the same time. I'll report back in due course.
Thanks Folks... I've got another MB specialist I used to use taking a look at the rear air suspension issue I've noticed and he said he'd look at this at the same time. I'll report back in due course.
Gud Afternoon
If possible take a couple of pics of the problem, it helps out in the long run.
R,
2MERKS
I know this is an old thread but it is mine and something that still isn't resolved... The VIN for my car is WDB2112222A853060 and I have springs 3 white and 1 blue installed. I am being told to use 2 white and 1 blue but the person I spoke to originally when I purchased the springs was confident the springs needed were 3 white and 1 blue.
From the VIN can somebody please check and let me know what they should be based on the data? I think I will try 2 white and 1 blue. Interestingly I have been told my struts have no adjustment.
I know this is an old thread but it is mine and something that still isn't resolved... The VIN for my car is WDB2112222A853060 and I have springs 3 white and 1 blue installed. I am being told to use 2 white and 1 blue but the person I spoke to originally when I purchased the springs was confident the springs needed were 3 white and 1 blue.
From the VIN can somebody please check and let me know what they should be based on the data? I think I will try 2 white and 1 blue. Interestingly I have been told my struts have no adjustment.
Try a different mechanic. The adjustment is in the bottom on the strut and you have to take a few pieces off to get at the clip. It's in the pictures in the posts above. There's about 10 settings for the clip and normally it's like 2-3 from the bottom. You could set them at the lowest setting to bring the front down more. By default, it's set at the highest setting so it's quite common for people to come on here and say it's too high because whoever installed it didn't know to set it to a lower right height and of course if you ask them again, they're going to be clueless that there's even a setting for the strut, most other struts don't have one.
Try a different mechanic. The adjustment is in the bottom on the strut and you have to take a few pieces off to get at the clip. It's in the pictures in the posts above. There's about 10 settings for the clip and normally it's like 2-3 from the bottom. You could set them at the lowest setting to bring the front down more. By default, it's set at the highest setting so it's quite common for people to come on here and say it's too high because whoever installed it didn't know to set it to a lower right height and of course if you ask them again, they're going to be clueless that there's even a setting for the strut, most other struts don't have one.
Thank you. I take your point but bear in mind, it was only ever the springs that were replaced. If they didn't know about the adjustment rings then they wouldn't have or had need to modify them.
Thank you. I take your point but bear in mind, it was only ever the springs that were replaced. If they didn't know about the adjustment rings then they wouldn't have or had need to modify them.
Well I suppose they might not have aligned them correctly in the right spot for the top strut mount and the bottom of the strut so you have them a little bit higher than normal. Also there were luxury and sport models and the sport models were about an inch lower so yeah, could just be the wrong springs. But you could always just have them adjust the struts so that they're lower. See the pictures above, the bottom piece where the spring sits moves up and that hides the clips where you would adjust the spring height. It's perplexing to me why you would just replace the springs. When doing a front suspension, I always replace the springs and struts, even if they're don't look it, they're probably worn out and a new set is always going to be better than one with at least 50-100k or more on it.
Well I suppose they might not have aligned them correctly in the right spot for the top strut mount and the bottom of the strut so you have them a little bit higher than normal. Also there were luxury and sport models and the sport models were about an inch lower so yeah, could just be the wrong springs. But you could always just have them adjust the struts so that they're lower. See the pictures above, the bottom piece where the spring sits moves up and that hides the clips where you would adjust the spring height. It's perplexing to me why you would just replace the springs. When doing a front suspension, I always replace the springs and struts, even if they're don't look it, they're probably worn out and a new set is always going to be better than one with at least 50-100k or more on it.
I went to collect the car today and it certainly drives better and sits lower on the front end. I guess there might be some minor spring settlement to come too. I did ask about the struts and was shown one off another W211 which also doesn't have the adjustment. I showed the garage the pictures from this post and they were adamant these struts have no adjustment. I take your point regarding replacing struts and I would have done had the garage advised me to do so. They did advise on the lower O/S/F ball joint, which they did whilst in with them.
The strut on my car seemingly has no adjustment; FYI the back of the car in the picture isn't mine but another E220.
I was advised on replacing the inner tie rods; they said not dangerous but something to plan for in future especially before having an alignment (for obvious reasons). I suspect if doing this it might make sense to do the outer ones too?
Last edited by steveoelliott; Apr 28, 2023 at 07:24 AM.
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