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So we recently picked up an inexpensive GLK250 and I’ve been picking away at a few issues. After inspecting the rear suspension for a floaty/sway feeling I’ve found the left coil has a broken piece at the bottom. It looks like some have had success replacing without a specific compressor so will tackle this myself. After reading comments, some have had issues with Sachs and other brands increasing ride height. I definitely don’t want it to ride higher and have contemplated lowering. Can anyone comment on springs that won’t raise the rear? Should I grab a set of lowering springs and just throw the rears in for now if I was thinking of going this route? Personal experiences appreciated.
I would just replace with the same Mercedes springs.
If they are the originals they should have different color paint dots on them indicating which specific ones they are.
The springs in my W204 were rusted so I replaced with a used set I got a great deal on. I found a set in great condition from a 40,000 mile salvage car. Figure they should last me at least 60,000 miles as my car had over 130,000 miles at the time.
The bottom shims are just thin stamped metal and are probably worn to nothing and should be replaced. The upper shims are rubber and look like a big hockey puck. My old ones looked fine so reused. There are a few different thicknesses for the upper shims, other than measuring them they have a certain number of nubs on them. I happen to be at my local MB dealer parts dept picking up some parts and had the person look up the exact part #'s with what my car came from the factory with using my vin.
I replaced the springs without a spring compressor. Support and take the tension off the inner spring control arm with a floor jack, remove the nut and bolt then slowly lower the jack all the way and you can pull the springs out safely. Using a cordless impact wrench to spin the bolt out came in handy. Just go slow and make sure all the tension is off the bolts, dont want to snap the bolt. While doing the springs i realized the spring control arms are rusted as well so I have a set i'll be installing hopefully this summer.
I did have to buy an M12 triple square socket for the bolt heads. The nuts use a regular socket.
Make sure to torque the nuts of the spring control arm with the car in the ready to drive condition- wieght of the car on the wheels.
After putting the new spring in and getting the spring control arm back on I left the nut on the bolt loose. Put the wheel back on and lowered it down on a few wood planks so I can fit under and torque everything down.
They will all fit. If you dont have the sports suspension you can always buy the springs that come with the sports suspension and install them. When one of my front springs broke I ordered a replacement sports strut but was sent a strut for the luxury/base. I installed it since I needed to drive the car while waiting for the correct strut and it fit fine, it was just a little taller.
Any new spring won’t make you happy and made me pissed. I broke 1/2 turn of old rear spring , bought Sachs and hight went up 3” it made my front suspension components make noise from added height and looked like crap . I went eBay used and got a good set, I should have name of seller. I wish I just left car alone . It was not sagging or anything. Remove the broken part. If it’s not noticeable just leave it alone . I then changed shocks Because, Why not!! I ruined my ride and spent thousands of wasted money and a lot of wasted time . Yea, a mechanic will say fix it. But think twice . If ride is Floaty replace shocks , but Oem Sachs are stiffer even their softest grade vs genuine mb.. Good for highway and smooth roads. As far as springs , if you don’t see a different ride height leave it alone just do shocks . Whatever you put in will raise it !! I have photo of it tooo high in rear. And the higher height stressed new front suspension components into making a groan noise, not good.
2006 Alfa Romeo Brera, 2010 GLK350, 2018 BMW 640i GT, 1997 Subaru SVX, 2012 Moto Guzzi Norge GT8V
You should change both rear springs. I had a broken front spring last year and replaced both. I got them from the dealer using my VIN. No change in ride height or ride quality.
If you want to lower it, get H&R lowering springs. A set of 4 will cost less than 2 new springs from the dealer. Change all four at once, not just the rear.
Both my new sachs and used ebay raised my Glk ride height , the Sachs by 3- 3.5 and used by 1”. I still say if it’s not noticeable leave it alone and do struts and bushings if needed.
Both my new sachs and used ebay raised my Glk ride height , the Sachs by 3- 3.5 and used by 1”. I still say if it’s not noticeable leave it alone and do struts and bushings if needed.
Broken side still sits a 1/4” higher than the right side. I’m half considering leaving it for now as a pair of rear coils from MB is the same price as a complete set of H&R springs.
I know that many have changed coils without a spring compressor successfully but realize there is pent up energy in them that has to be released fully. I always use a spring compressor after learning the hard way. 40 years ago, in my teens, I replaced the front coils on a ‘78 Grand Prix as one coil was broken. I worked at a garage as a gas attendant and the mechanic walked me through the job: take out the shock. Put a jack under the lower control arm, split the ball joint, lower the jack and swing it back allowing the spring to drop out. On a Sunday, all alone, I did just that. Except I thought it would be wise to drop a piece of rebar through the shock mounting hole and control arm. Good thing. As I started to lower the arm… WHAM!!!! The spring popped out bending the rebar so much it was lodged in the car. I had to use an angle grinder to cut the rebar to remove the spring. It would have taken my head clean off…
The bottom shim is reportedly magnesium and is part of the "anti corrosion" package. I'd say it doesn't work that well, given all the broken springs and rusted control arms, but they certainly don't make it any worse. Replace them with new.
I replaced mine with new Sachs springs. Can't really say if they raised it or not since both springs were broken to start with, but, when aligning the car you're supposed to measure the angle of the half shafts, and mine are within spec.
I would NOT recommend leaving broken springs in there.
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