Rear suspension: 300SD -- mine's kinda wimped out

[cmac2012]

I've been using my 300SD for work lately (sorry, I know it's a bit sacriligious, but my van only gets 10 mpg and my Benz has a big trunk - lots o' tools) and the rear end sits kinda low with a load of tools in the back. Plus, it's getting old -- not a cherry any more.

I've read of the self-leveling shocks -- finding and putting that system in would likely need an act of God to be successful.

Anyone know of any easy or not so easy way to beef up the rear suspension? Air shocks maybe? New, and beefier coil springs perhaps?

[t walgamuth]

with brian carlton. he has done a lot of work with his sdl and knows of a source for new longer springs for a reasonalbe price.

tom w

[Brian Carlton]

Carl, I spent quite a bit of time attempting to do the same thing on the SDL. Like most of the longer bodies, it sufferes a dragging ass due to the age of the springs and the weight in the trunk.

Here is the thread of all of my experiences:

rear suspension ride height


I would tend to doubt that the SD needs a custom set of springs.

It would benefit most from the following items:

subframe bushings
rear differential mount
rear springs

All three of these items are related to the ride height. Once they are restored, you can "tune" the ride height via the use of different spacer thicknesses above the rear coils.

The SDL has already used the maximum thickness spacer of 19 mm, and, even with brand new springs, and brand new subframe bushings and differential mount, the rear of the vehicle sat lower than what I believed was proper. Additionally, I confirmed that it was incorrect by checking the camber measurement. The camber was still too far negative, even with all new parts.

So, I caved in and bought a set of custom springs for it. The ride height remains a bit tall when there is low fuel. But, it never sags in the back, even with a 500 lb. load in the rear seats and 150 lb. of fuel in the tank.

[cmac2012]

Good stuff, Brian. It'll take me a while to digest all of it and do more research. I watched part of a "Pimp My Ride" show that other day. Bizarre, all in all. First and maybe last time I'll watch that one. One thing that caught my eye however, was the red, thick rubber balloon type suspension enhancer. You can adjust the height with air pressure.

No room on my Benz to put one of those in. I've been imagining ways that sort of thing could be incorporated into my car. All of this prototype stuff is way too expensive for a one-off application. I wonder how much demand there is for this?

Anyway, thanks for your help.

[Brian Carlton]

Carl, I'm not sure of the condition of the SD, and whether you want it restored to stock or not, but the fastest way to raise the rear end is to simply add some new springs. If you are carrying a lot of weight, I'd get some custom springs that are slightly longer, as I have done. The cost is about the same.

The only risk is that it "might" look too high in the back when you have no fuel and no tools.

[cmac2012]

You mean I'll look like some guy who did a 60s hot rod modefication on a diesel Mercedes? Oh baby....

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

You mean I'll look like some guy who did a 60s hot rod modefication on a diesel Mercedes? Oh baby....

Nothing a few more tools in the trunk won't fix.

[Carrameow]

Do you you use the special tool to remove the rear coil springs, or did you use an ordinary spring compressor? It looks as if an ordinary spring compressor with those long bolts might not fit. Could you breifly describe how you compressed the springs to get them off?

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Carrameow

Do you you use the special tool to remove the rear coil springs, or did you use an ordinary spring compressor? It looks as if an ordinary spring compressor with those long bolts might not fit. Could you breifly describe how you compressed the springs to get them off?

Richard, it's the special tool that removes the springs from almost every M/B. It's in the rental program if you need it.