My 1980 300SD seems to be very low. I just measured from the ground to the top of each wheel well and got the following measurements:

Front Driver Side - 26.5"
Front Pass Side - 26.5"
Rear Driver Side - 24.25"
Rear Pass Side - 23.75" (woops)

Car was on level paved surface with about a half tank of fuel. Trunk contents maybe weighed 100#s.

I'm hoping some of you guys can report your W116 measurements here so we can all see what seems appropriate for this chassis.

Thanks in Advance

Bert - NH

__________________

1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)

My guess is that you're going to find the W116 very similar to the W126 in look.

The back end looks the best with the number between 25.75" and 26.25". If it gets higher than 26.50", the space above the tire looks a bit too much.

Cannot comment on the front, however. The W126 suffers from too much space above the front tires with the number typically above 27".

Hi Brian,

Havent talked with you in months. So what would you suggest to raise it? Spring pads?

Bert - NH

__________________

1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)

Hey Bert,

The cheapest is to use thicker spring pads, if they are available. Also, the diff mount (if present) will add about 3/4" or so if it's fully compressed.

On the SDL, with the thickest spring pads, I had some custom springs manufactured that were 1 1/4" above stock. The vehicle has now settled down to almost the perfect height.........26.5 inches with very little load.

You've got a long way to go on the back end.........pads and diff mount will probably not fully restore the height. But, maybe the W-116 doesn't need to make 26".