Well, I just finished installing new shocks on all four corners of the 300sd. Pretty easy job and took about two hours for all four. However I'm not too thrilled with the ride. The new shocks are Bilsteins that I had ordered for my 420sel before it decided to die. The car seems to handle better, less lean and body roll throught the turns and feels more stable at speed. It just seems a little harsh on rough surfaces. Doesn't feel much different then before in that aspect. I guess I expected better. Could it be my upgraded wheel and tire package? I'm running 225/55HR16 Kumho Solus KH16 on AT Italia 16x7.5 wheels. Any opinions on my setup? Could these be causing the hard ride? Thanks everybody.

__________________
U. S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller
"U gotta keep 'em separated!!"

What tire pressure are you running? The new shocks are probably going to feel harsher than old worn out ones. If they didn't then you didn't get your moneys worth.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

..........welcome to the club..........

With new Bilsteins and the condition of the pavement around here, I have to seek out the smoothest roads possible if I don't want my teeth rattled. The SDL ('86) finds every single ripple in the pavement.

Whomever said these things ride well was crazy...........

Were they HD's by any chance? I am run a very similer tire and wheel on the SDL with about 34psi in the tires. The ride is ok.

But yeah these cars ride like Model T's if you ask me, adds to the charm I guess.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

are heavier than stock (when weighed with the tire) then you will have a harsher ride.

also the new shocks will be stiffer for a while til they loosten up a bit later.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Dude, you have a spring issue. I had the same problem with my 90 300E. The car seemed to bottom out on potholes. They made a large bam noise when going over pot holes. I changed my struts and it handled better but still crappy and loud over pot holes. I changed my tires. Someone put on 17 inch tires. I put stock rims and 15 inch tires. Still crappy. I dropped the PSI to 28, still crappy. I went out and got 4 new springs and then the car drove like a new car. Handled every pot hole. No more bottoming out. I hope this helps.
Rob

thats my experiance. i put new shocks on and they made it ride terrible. about a month later it was smooth

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

well maybe that was the case but springs dont usually cause that unless very worn out. doesnt the 300e have smaller diameter springs?

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I agree..........there's no possibility of new springs providing a smoother ride.......has to be the placebo affect.......very common when suspension components get replaced.

The Gabriels I have on the SDL (going to pick up a set for the SD this weekend) were quite stiff for the first miles. I'd say after about 200-300 miles they softened up a bit and ride quite well. Best $90 I've spent thus far on the vehicle and with a lifetime warranty... can't beat it by my books.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Yes, I put HDs on last year, its been at least 1.5 years and sorry to say they wont loosen up anymore, still rides like **** on bad pavement. Plus side it feels much more buttoned down, no floaty Cadillac feel here. And even with the firmer ride still no rattling or noises from the interior or bottoming out (ever).

__________________
1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Wash and wax it. It will ride smoother.

Thanks guys, I like Jim H's answer the best. If only life was so simple . The shocks are comforts. Tire pressure is set at 31 psi cold. Several of you mentioned that they are stiff for the first few hundred miles, I can only hope that'll be the case. They're really not that bad, just firmer than I thought they would be. The old ones were Gabriels on the back with Bilsteins on the front. All four were leaking. As far as springs, I don't know if they've been replaced or not. The car sits quite a bit higher in the front. It never bottoms out and the bump stops look good, doesn't look like they've made contact at all. I'll just drive it and see what happens. Even if it doesn't get any better I'll still enjoy it cause it's mine!! Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll post an update in a few hundred miles.

__________________
U. S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller
"U gotta keep 'em separated!!"

think it will take more like a few thousand to free them up. shocks

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

31 psi is not a lot. i would think that your ride will smooth out within 1000mi.
they just need to get 'worn in' a bit.
same thing happened to me when i replaced the rear shocks.
i run 32 psi all around for economy and rotate at 5k..

__________________
1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP