I am doing some front suspension work this weekend --- upper control arms, at least (with sway bar bushings).

My car has the front end in the air -- the result of Federalization, I assume. I have never been sure how that was accomplished -- and the company that did it is out of business. The spring rubber cap is only #2. I wonder if they put in higher rated springs (from a turbo 300?), but I would like to be sure before I spring for (a thousand pardons ...) new ones. The current springs on the front have some numbers, partially wiped out --- looks like 019/020 or 819/825. I might get clearer numbers on the other side tomorrow (did the driver's side today). Does anyone know what springs might have been substituted to raise the ride height (or lower rear springs to lower that end & pick up the front end ??). Or, can someone tell me what I may have in there? I'm hoping to get some part numbers that I can compare with front or rear, so I can buy new ones confidant that I'm restoring original ride height. The handling has got to improve, and I figure fuel mileage will inch up, too.

Of course, if the pass side UCA has as loose a joint as I took off the driver's side, I'll have eliminated a fair amount of slop with just these 2 parts ...

My model # is 123123 (assuming that the first part of the VIN is the model #. There's a lot I don't know ... like the numerical model #s for the 300 turbos that I am thinking must be heavier engine packages, calling for stiffer springs & therefore providing substitutes for jacking this front end up a few inches.

Thanks for the help.

Ed
Moving soon to Brunswick, GA

model number and year?

if your car is a non turbo they could have indeed put in turbo springs if the car was sitting low to begin with and made it too tall. brian carlton has much experience with these spring matters. he will ask for actual measurements to help nail down exactly what is happening.

tom w

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[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.

The car is an 84 240D Euro --- I assume they raised the front end to adjust for the Euro bumpers.

I will make ride height measurements & post today.

Ed

Hope Brian chimes in with some real data. Having gone through the federalization process for a number of these cars, I doubt anyone installed new springs. It would be much more likely they installed some spacers to adjust ride height. Spacers are way cheaper.

The actual springs from the factory will differ based on the weight of the car, which depends on the selected options. US cars were basically full boats and got some of the heavier springs. European cars were outfitted with a variety of springs. I think they are color coded too, some little rings painted on the coils.

Anyway, I would look carefully for some spacers before investing in springs. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I'd like to help, but, all my data and experience concerns the W126. The W123 is similar in the fact that the front ends typically end up too high for most tastes.

The first line of attack is always thinner spring pads.......they cost a fraction of the cost of a new spring.

I can tell you that all the W-123 front springs have a p/n that begins with "123 321". The next two digits are the variable. There are about seven different versions starting with "21" and ending up with "41". The last two digits are always "04"

I'm also toying with the idea of cutting one coil off the spring on the SD. Although considered sacrilege, the reduction of ride height by 1" or so will have a minimal effect on the spring rate. The alternative is a set of custom springs for $200. or so. I'm undecided which way to go.