I put new HD Bilstein shocks on the front of my 1977 450 SLC, just went over 34,000 miles yesterday. It runs great but with new 14 inch tires and chrome bundt wheels there is way too much gap in the front wheel area. Close to 3 inches.

Anyone have tips on how to get the front lower? Seems the eBay spring kits have both the front and rear springs and I don't want to raise the rear like those sets from Europe.

I have a chart with spring part numbers and the 560SL front springs are both slightly smaller ID (16.1 to 16.3) and much shorter in unloaded length of 424.5mm vs 437.5 for the 450 springs. My assumption is the lighter aluminum engine and aluminum radiator reduced the need for a stronger longer spring like the 450 SLC.

There is also one 115 spring listed also 16.1 mm ID and even shorter 411.5 spring length.

Also I was thinking on the shocks, there were 3 plastic sections on the top of the shock all covered by a rubber boot. It would seem if you lowered the car front the shock should loose one of the plastic sections?