My wagons sways much more than I'd like when cornering.

I had my suspension rebuilt eight months ago and put in Bilstien HD shocks in the front, but this didn't make a very noticeable difference.

My accumulators crapped out a couple months ago, which seems to have improved things on the swaying front, but obviously I can't let that be; I've already bought new accumulators and will install them ASAP because driving my wagon now feels much like riding a horse.

As far as I know my springs have never been replaced, making them 23 years old with 305k miles on them. Might they have weakened? I know from my searches here that leathermang will recommend I replace them... what does everyone else think? I don't want to sacrifice ride quality any more than necessary and I don't want to lower my car. If I do replace them, should I replace them with stiffer ones, or will new standard ones be enough of an improvement? Where do I get them?

__________________
'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

Your springs have weakened.... no doubt about that...
but maybe you should replace your sway bar first because that makes more difference in roll than any other suspension component when cornering...
You can take your springs off, take them to the local spring shop and they will heat treat and stretch them back to original length...they will be good as new.... on the other hand... the cost of new springs from MB is not bad...

Whatever you do, DON'T be tempted to use the STRUTMASTERS (as in www.strutmasters.com) "kit" on the rear.

All wagon owners should be aware that their "kit" is a total piece of crap. I bought it and found it is IMPOSSIBLE to install. Their kit is nothing more than a KYB shock for the sedan with a cheesy coil-over kit added. Problem is, there is NO WAY to install this coil-over design into the car. It won't fit through the opening in the control arm.

As best as I can guess, their supposed plan for you to install it is as suchl: You disassemble the coil-over, remove the MB spring (with the MB internal spring compressor) install the shock while holding the coil-over spring in place above the control arm, use an external syle spring compressor to compress the coil-over spring and install the crappy lower strutmasters perch, remove external compressor. NOW, you ask yourself, HOW do I install the MERCEDES spring? GOOD QUESTION !!!

As I said IMPOSSIBLE. DO NOT BUY IT !!!!!

BUT, in doing all this work, I found a solution that worked. Buy the BOGE struts made for the sedan, or HD bilsteins. Install a 1.5 inch spring spacer between the MB spring and the lower control arm. Mr. Gasket makes a perfect spacer for $20 that only needs a bit of trimming to fit perfectly.

I ended up doing this, but also installed the coil spring without the lower perch. I figured that if the wagon is loaded enough, it will act as a "helper" spring.

When I was finally done, the car rode 100% better than before.

Good luck

WP

I don't know if they would help on a wagon but they work great on pickup trucks. I am talking about airsprings like Firestone ride rite. They look like miniature versions of the big air suspensions that you see on 18 wheelers. Other makers make them too, in different configurations, some fit inside coil springs. You can pump air into them as needed to level the vehicle. You can even automate the system with an onboard pump and leveling valves. If you really load down your wagon it would probably be a good system.

Thanks guys, but I want to keep the stock SLS; it's just the springs I was wondering about. leathermang: I'll give that sway bar a look. What should I look for to know if it should be replaced? The only info I can find by searching is that the job isn't easy...

__________________
'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

HD shocks in the front of a wagon tend to make the car corner worse is the majority of opinion with W123 wagon owners. I have two wagons- one with HD's as I bought it that way, and one without. The one without is far superior in town, over bumps and at highway speeds.