Awhile back I think Brian or someone said they were thinking about lowering the front of their 300SD. How would this be done? Can you take off the front springs and cut some just to lower an inch or so? I have an 81 300SD. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Yep, you can cut the spring by a specified amount to lower the SD. However, the amount that you cut will not be the precise amount that it will be lowered.

I haven't done it yet on the SD, but I'd like to get about 1" of height reduction on the body.

Thanks. What would you think is a "specified" amount to cut? I guess maybe start with a half coil (coil not spring) and trial down to where it looks good? Think the shocks would need changing with that small of drop? I don't even know why I'm fooling with this when there are other things that probably need attention. It would just look better I think.

I'd remove the amount of coils that would reduce the overall height of the spring by slightly more than 1"........maybe 1.06". The shortened spring is slightly stiffer and won't compress as much as the original. Hopefully you'll get about 1" of reduction in height.

The shocks have plenty of down travel..........reducing the height by 1" won't be an issue for them.

If you do it, please measure the height of the existing coil and then measure the height of the cut coil.

Also measure the height from the pavement to the inside of the fenderwell before you do the modification and then, again, after you do the mod. Make absolutely sure the weight in the vehicle does not change between these two measurements.

The info will be valuable for others (including me )

Hey that sounds reasonable. Will let you know how it goes!

One of the large aftermarket spring manufacturers already makes lowering springs fro the W126.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

What manufacturer or site for those lowering springs? The ones I have seen are for W126 gas models and not the diesel.

H&R Lowering Springs on '87 SDL

There is a fellow on page 2 with a set on his 300SD

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine