HD rear coil springs? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SirNik84 · #16 10-15-2006, 11:34 PM

I'm trying to do this same thing... get my butt off the ground!

You mentioned the 67 Camero... My dad has a 73 Challenger, I Barrowed it one night (stole it) and picked up my friend and 3 girls... that car was full. I went to the bank to get some cash and looked at the car, man the rear was squatting really badly. So... Off to the gas station for a little Air! A minute later the car was at proper ride height... gotta love air shocks. I'm not looking for a fancy ride control, but it was nice to be able to adjust the ride height like that. I wish I was able to do that with the Mercedes.

crashone · #17 10-20-2006, 11:06 PM

Just finished all of the R&R on the rear. It rides alot better. I did get the HD springs made by meyle. I was told the spring rate is 30% higher than stock. Maybe their crap but the ride is tight. I emailed Meyle but haven't heard back from them yet. I have ~26 3/4'' height now in the back with a near empty trunk and 5/8 tank of fuel. The front looks like it went down some also. I had 3 nub(19mm) shims, I put 2 nub(14mm) shims back in. That was my mistake from when I looked up there to order new ones. Any way new stabilizer mounts & links, diff. mount, bilstein comforts, springs & shims, subframe mounts, trailing arm bushings....back end is tight now. Tomorrow I will start the front end R&R. Hopfully Monday will be a smoother ride in to work!

Brian Carlton · #18 10-20-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashone

Just finished all of the R&R on the rear. It rides alot better. I did get the HD springs made by meyle. I was told the spring rate is 30% higher than stock. Maybe their crap but the ride is tight. I emailed Meyle but haven't heard back from them yet. I have ~26 3/4'' height now in the back with a near empty trunk and 5/8 tank of fuel. The front looks like it went down some also.

Good job.

I had no success with the Meyle springs on the SDL. The ride height was identical to the existing springs. If the spring rate is 30% higher than stock, the vehicle will ride like a brick. Furthermore, the tail won't drop more than about 2" with a full load in the vehicle. It will be clearly obvious.

If you do get Meyle to answer, see if you can get them to tell you the spring rate. I'd be amazed if it was different from stock.

26 3/4" is just a tad high. Probably looks a bit high, but, with some weight in the trunk, it will drop down to the perfect look at about 26".

The front drops in proportion to the rear rising. The ratio is about 4:1.

I intend to pull the front springs and reduce the front end height by 1" on the SD. That will alleviate the rear dragging look as well.

crashone · #19 10-20-2006, 11:17 PM

Thanks I got some 9.5mm shims for the front, I hope I didn't mess up. By the way what would the difference be between HD shocks and standard springs vs my set up?

Brian Carlton · #20 10-20-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashone

Thanks I got some 9.5mm shims for the front, I hope I didn't mess up. By the way what would the difference be between HD shocks and standard springs vs my set up?

The W126 rides poorly from stock. Anything you do to further impede the body, such as stiffer springs or stiffer shocks, will cause it to ride like a brick. Personally, I don't like suffering the constant head vibration on cement. It's fine for 30 miles, but, take an SD for 250 miles and it gets old real quick.

The longer wheelbase on the SDL's is a definite benefit in that regard.

I'm going to seek some progressive rate springs for the front of the SD......and the initial rate will be 20% softer than stock.

crashone · #21 10-23-2006, 08:42 PM

Actually the back of the car rides perfect now. I have driven over the same rough roads and can say sweeet! These springs haven't given it a brick ride, so far so good. I think I am going to like this set up rather than with HD shocks. Now I have to finish the front R&R. Even with the few new pieces up front the vibrations are going away.

Brian Carlton · #22 10-23-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashone

Actually the back of the car rides perfect now. I have driven over the same rough roads and can say sweeet! These springs haven't given it a brick ride, so far so good. I think I am going to like this set up rather than with HD shocks. Now I have to finish the front R&R. Even with the few new pieces up front the vibrations are going away.

You definitely don't have "HD" springs.

Those are the standard springs with the standard spring rate. Otherwise you'd not be glowing about the ride characteristics.

andmoon · #23 10-24-2006, 05:06 PM

I installed hd springs on the back of my sdl.
The springs do not raise the rear but prevents sag when loaded.
I also installed the 3 nub spacer.
My car sits level w/ full tank of fuel.
rear a bit low w/ full tank plus 26 gallons of vo in trunk.
Sits ass up when everything is empty.

NJ300sdl · #24 10-29-2006, 01:59 PM

Site advertiser, shockshopusa.com advises they can supply custom air shocks for a 1987 300sdl. Gabriel Hijackers, $128. Would this be a good alternative to HD springs?

Brian Carlton · #25 10-29-2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ300sdl

Site advertiser, shockshopusa.com advises they can supply custom air shocks for a 1987 300sdl. Gabriel Hijackers, $128. Would this be a good alternative to HD springs?

If they can, that would be a first.

Sure, the air shocks would be ideal for load leveling. But, Gabriel is not exactly noted for a shock that will respond to road irregularites. The back end might dance all over the pavement.

There are no "HD" springs, AFAIK.