M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!

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Old Jun 24, 2014 | 03:38 AM
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2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!

Does anyone else have this combo? Car is SUPER SUPER bouncy. Very unhappy with the ride quality. Will almost launch you out of your seat if you hit a big bump on the highway.

Also left rear corner is sagging. Is something blown or does this combo just not ride well? Could something have been installed incorrectly?

Last edited by dubseven; Jun 29, 2014 at 08:05 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2014 | 08:06 PM
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Anyone?
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Old Jul 1, 2014 | 03:36 AM
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Maj. Dundee's Avatar
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2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
If you are sagging in the rear it is probably due to a broken spring. Look at the bottom two coils.
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Old Jul 1, 2014 | 04:22 PM
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05 ML-500 , 03 CLK5.5 AMG has left the Garage
2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!

If you find your rear springs not Broken. Then look at the attached pictures. My set up started out pretty much like yours. But I trimmed the orange bump stops under the blue debris boot. Then too get the ride height raised up ,equal & Level . And so it did not look to slammed . I built some sleeves to go under the lower spring seats. Drives side was increase 1" and passenger side was increase 1 1/4" . To level the ML. If brought the ML this way , It is most likely why it was sold. Yours may be lower to much & riding on the bump stops. 1st Picture is with the suspension hanging free. Seems to look normal ?? The 2nd picture is with it on the ground. Notice the coils are close to binding ( Touching ) The 3rd Picture is a close up . The 4th shows the progressive winding . I got a funny feeling I was sold the only set that was built & they seem to be built for the light weight ML-320s. My guess is that the call for this type of spring for lowering MLs was a limited production . And not for V-8 MLs. . Bilstein shock's tend to have a little more aggressive valve controlling the fluid rate.
Cheers _PTEngineering
Attached Thumbnails 2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!-001.jpg   2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!-002.jpg   2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!-005.jpg   2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!-h-r-springs-medium-.jpg   2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!-dsc00216-medium-.jpg  

2001 ML55 - H&R/Bilstein combo rides TERRIBLE!!-shock-travel-1.5-inchs.jpg  

Last edited by PTE; Jul 2, 2014 at 08:24 AM.
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Old Jul 1, 2014 | 08:47 PM
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ML55, ML430, 600SL, 190E 16V
How level is the ML overall? Wondering if the front torsion bars haven't been adjusted correctly. Did you also install Bilstein's in the front? I have the same setup and as PTE did I trimmed the bump stops to offer up a bit more suspension travel. My bet is as PTE's was the bump stops have not been trimmed and you are just riding on them. Keep us informed.
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Old Sep 16, 2014 | 10:06 AM
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Turns out one of my rear H&R springs had collapsed. Replaced with all OEM parts, much better.
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