There are little rubber knobs on the spring pads (which are found where the spring meets the chassis) that you can see and/or feel by hand. Three knobs indicate a 19mm pad, IIRC, which is the thickest available.

There are 9.5, 14 and 19mm pads available. Click here for link to Phil's selection of pads.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Thanks Lux.

Ive got three nubs.

I think im going to just man up and remove the springs this afternoon. No sense beating around the bush. The shocks dont have enough power to resist the huge force of the springs thats cuasing the wheel to be tilted in.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

.
Hello Everyone

My 81 300D had the same thing going on with it's rear tires.
They were both tilted in at the bottom.
Or, had too much positive camber.

The problem was caused in my car by an improper front end alignment.
I thought the rear frame of the car had been bent in an accident or something.

But after the front end alignment the rear tires also returned to the correct alignment.

The front end alignment raised the front of the car some, which changed the balance point of the car and transfered more weight to the rear of the car.

I really did not think the front end alignment would effect the rear so much,
but it did.

Thanks
Still not right after all these pills !
RichC
.

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

Wow...what a revelation. Interesting for sure. I just went through the trouble of removing one of the springs - Ill post a pic in a bit.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Took an hour to pop out the springs...not hard at all. I used the Wiki article whunter forwarded me to.

Well heres the pics (2nd post):

W123 rear spring experts...need some help...

Now to figure out if they are the right ones. They have the same number of turns as the pics on worldpac. The spring pads were 9.5mm, mercedes OE parts.

Now to figure what else to replace in the area while the patient is open. Subframe bushings for sure - theyre original.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Hmm, and they had three nubs? I always thought three nubs meant 19mm.

The reason I ask is that mine sags just a bit and mine have three nubs (already done subframe bushings and dif mount). Was hoping to fix it with new shocks and taller pads. If the three nubs do, in fact, mean 9.5mm, well then I might have a shot.

Heck, maybe you and I just need to swap springs!!

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Im looking at the Mercedes EPC right now...

You are correct:
1 nub = 9.5 mm
2 nubs =14 mm
3 nubs = 19 mm

I wonder why I was thinking they are 9.5 mm earlier. Oh well.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Thinking out loud, it seems I have 19mm pads. Could I adjust things quite a bit with the 9.5mm pads? Would that make a big difference?

I think Im going to have to buy the springs and compare them to really know.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

That's what I've read here, but I'll have to defer to those with more experience.

Might want to try the alignment first. If that doesn't work, then throw some 14mm or 9.5mm pads in there.

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1998 E300 +310,000K
1996 E300 +460,000K

Anyone know what spring pads came stock in a W123??

I long for stock :-)

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

I always thought it depended on the options the car came equipped with, such as sunroofs or a hitch etc. Correct me if I'm wrong.
-Zach

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1978 240D Auomatic
Custom Charcoal Gray, Navy MB tex, kenwood/Elemental/Boston/Aura sound,
Shaved antenna and emblems.

1990 Lincoln Town Car, Sleeper/Strip car in progress, 17.75@77mph.

Is there any way to get this info? I just have a plain turbo sedan, no hitch, SLS etc.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

You previously mentioned that you have pads with "three nubs". However, this does not correspond with 9.5 mm pads. Can you check this data and reconfirm what you have?

If you have the 19mm pads, the simplest solution is to reduce the pad thickness to the 14mm pads. The vehicle will reduce height by about 1/2" and the camber should just drop back into specs.

I don't want to distract you from your problem, but what you describe about your shocks is not related to the camber issues. You should replace them so they are the right part number and have the same dampening affect. Bilstiens are a good choice.

TimK

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EPA 609 & 608 HVAC Certified
_________________________________________
83' 300D Turbo - 300K + Miles
00' 1.9L TDI Beetle
85' 6.5L Turbo, GV-OD, GMC Suburban,
67' 2.5L Diesel NA - Land Rover Series IIA

Here's what you do if it's so cold your diesel fuel gels. Smear some on some toast and stay inside until it warms up outside.

Tim,

Good point - Bilsteins are on their way. Id like to eliminate that as a variable. I am going to just replace all the other stuff around that affects ride height that is obviously amiss like my subframe mounts and diff mount. Both are original and extra crispy.

dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car