OEM spring for 300sd causing high front end - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

wols0003 · #1 01-07-2006, 02:15 AM

300sd's sit a lot higher in the front end than gasser 126's. This past fall I was at a local MB shop and compared a 420sel (stock oem) with my 300sd. There was a huge difference in front ride height. The 420 sat at least 2 inches lower than my 300sd. I noticed that the 380, 420, and 500 all use the same front spring 74140 (Fastlane) and the 300sd and 560 use the same front spring 74141. Does the 5 liter V8 weigh more that the 3 liter diesel? Why can't I use the 74140 spring in my 300sd to get a lower front ride height. Does anyone know the weight specs for all the different engines. I'm completely rebuilding my suspension and want to get rid of the huge front gap above the front tire. I can't imagine that anyone of us is pleased with the way our front ends sit up sky-high. Could it really be as simple as getting the other oem spring????

pawoSD · #2 01-07-2006, 02:33 AM

I'd imagine the larger v8's are slightly heavier than the 617 or 603, but the engine compartments of those cars have more junk in them too...perhaps adding some weight as well.

While they may use the same springs, are the rest of the suspension components the same? Maybe there's something else that makes the gasser's sit lower.....

I know I can sit on my front bumper and the car doesn't go down barely an inch, so there can't be that much extra weight in the gasser compartments to lower it that much.... (I'm around 165)

Ara T. · #3 01-07-2006, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wols0003

300sd's sit a lot higher in the front end than gasser 126's. This past fall I was at a local MB shop and compared a 420sel (stock oem) with my 300sd. There was a huge difference in front ride height. The 420 sat at least 2 inches lower than my 300sd. I noticed that the 380, 420, and 500 all use the same front spring 74140 (Fastlane) and the 300sd and 560 use the same front spring 74141. Does the 5 liter V8 weigh more that the 3 liter diesel? Why can't I use the 74140 spring in my 300sd to get a lower front ride height. Does anyone know the weight specs for all the different engines. I'm completely rebuilding my suspension and want to get rid of the huge front gap above the front tire. I can't imagine that anyone of us is pleased with the way our front ends sit up sky-high. Could it really be as simple as getting the other oem spring????

Snap a pic of your SD, it is probably normal. I ahve noticed the gassers sitting lower too. They usually look on the saggy side though, maybe due to less robust springs. Maybe the 420 you saw was sagging. The 300D's and 300SDs ride higher than really any passenger car I know of... it is kinda nice never bottoming out on anything.

pawoSD · #4 01-07-2006, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

Snap a pic of your SD, it is probably normal. I ahve noticed the gassers sitting lower too. They usually look on the saggy side though, maybe due to less robust springs. Maybe the 420 you saw was sagging. The 300D's and 300SDs ride higher than really any passenger car I know of... it is kinda nice never bottoming out on anything.

I enjoy this as well, I've ridden in other cars and think "jeeze these ride low to the ground" The MB diesels have a "high" feeling to them. Great for driving over things....

#5 01-07-2006, 04:26 AM

Personally I like every bit of suspension travel I can get...espically when it comes to the roads around here!

I can give up a few inches of ride height for better ride quality (my 16" wheels) and not having to worry about killing my oil pan again

t walgamuth · #6 01-07-2006, 08:46 AM

i think the v8s weigh less than a diesel by a good measure. the aluminum ones. that would be 380 and up.

tom w

kmaysob · #7 01-07-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i think the v8s weigh less than a diesel by a good measure. the aluminum ones. that would be 380 and up.

tom w

thats correct. it possible the shocks were worn out on the gasser. when i rebuilt my front end replacing everything exept the springs and it sat higher after . now i just need to do the rear and it will sit right.

Mitch H · #8 01-07-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

The MB diesels have a "high" feeling to them. Great for driving over things....

Few things in life provide more vindictive pleasure than getting a tailgater to follow your 300SD over a rough railroad crossing at 60mph/100kph.

Brian Carlton · #9 01-07-2006, 10:04 AM

I, too, don't like the high front ends on both the SD and the SDL. It does seem that the suspension is at the very end of the shock travel when loaded with just the vehicle weight. This does not seem proper as the wheel does not have very much travel downward and has a massive amount of travel upward.

I'm very interested in finding a softer spring for the front of the SD and the SDL. In fact, I'm seriously thinking of cutting the existing springs, but this would result in a stiffer spring.........exactly the opposite of what I want.

Please keep us posted if you decide to switch to the gasser springs. It might be an excellent choice for the diesels........especially with the poor road conditions that most of us face.

Seriously, you don't need anywhere near five inches of suspension travel upward. I'll bet than nobody even gets close to 3" of travel.

pberku · #10 01-07-2006, 10:39 AM

Springs should be ordered based on the VIN number of the car, and not just based on a car's model number. Individual cars of the same model use different springs. It even makes a difference wether you car has a sunroof or not.

Many years ago, my indy ordered front springs for my '83 300SD. Those springs made my car seem very low in front. It seems that he ordered springs for an '83 300SD that does not have a sunroof, mine did, so the weight of the sunroof made the difference. He removed and reinstalled the proper springs. The car height then looked normal.

There are many other variables as well, . So make sure that your springs have been ordered for your specific VIN number.

t walgamuth · #11 01-07-2006, 11:43 AM

but i cant imagine that the sunroof option triggers different springs.

brian, i like the way that the sdl rides. personally. lots of travel is the reason a benz will run away from many sports cars on rough roads.

i also like the way that my gasser 500sec rides.

yeah, i like the idea of running over rough tracks with a tailgater close behind.

tom w

whunter · #12 01-07-2006, 11:56 AM

Brian Carlton · #13 01-07-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

but i cant imagine that the sunroof option triggers different springs.

There are only two possible rear springs for the W126.

There is a point value assigned to all the options on the vehicle such as sunroofs, level control, electric windows, adjustable rear seat, etc. The total number of points is added up to a specific value. In the case of the SD, model 126.120, the total number of points is 11 for the base vehicle. The sunroof adds 3 points, the auto trans adds 2 points, the electric windows adds 1 point. The typical SD in the US would therefore have a value of 17 points.

For the "standard suspension" the point value of 17 uses p/n 1163241104 spring with either the 9.5mm or 14mm rubber spacer.

There is a longer spring for the W126, p/n 1163240804, but it is not used until the point value gets up to 23 points or more.