suspension issue on 190d from 1984

[Swanson190d]

Hi All
My Benz is a 1984 - 190d - 201 class
I rebuilt the front suspension very carefully
new: centerlink, steering damper, idler bearing, tie rods, control arms (for the rubber dampers), main ball joints, struts and strut dampers. (I think thats everything - whew). I had the springs out of the car for about 3 months and during that time I uncompressed them and inspected them (I didn't feel comfortable leaving them compressed for that long of a time .
everything is back together and fits (used new nuts where applicable etc).
But . . . . the front end is "higher" than it used the be by about 3.5 inches (!)
yikes. it's quite noticable. the car is back on the ground and I'm readying to pull apart the rear end suspension for similar efforts.

Does anyone know the front suspension-coils-struts (monroe sensatrack) "settle down" after being driven?
or did the springs remain uncompressed too long and settle into a taller position or something - also there are hex fittings on top of the struts
can I adjust the tension of the struts by turning (probably a long shot)
any feedback is appreciated I'm not sure what to think
thanks
gordon swanson

[MTI]

The suspension ride height is primarily a function of the coil springs and the rubber "spring pads" which fit at the top of the coils into the perch cup. The coils will "settle" after installation within a few days to a week. The struts/shocks don't contribute to ride height and there is no vertical height adjustment for your car.

[johnjzjz]

you have the wrong front springs they are too tall and or are weight stronger than the ones that you replace- hope you dident get rid of the old ones

my guess you did not put than next to each other to see if the height was the same - jz

[jaoneill]

have you moved the car at all? if not, do so and it will settle down.

[pawoSD]

Find some speed bumps and see what happens.....

[snookwhaler]

You said that you replaced the struts and dampers. What does this mean?

Did you replace the entire strut assembly or just the shock absorber that is inside the strut tube.

The reason I ask is that if you replaced the entire strut assembly, did you look at and compare the old perch height (on the old strut) and length of the strut tube to the new one? It sounds like the new perch is much higher and or the strut tube is much longer.

[Swanson190d]

Hi,
Thanks to everyone for the comments - very helpfull.
I had the springs out and cleaned / inspected them
(I'd read a few posts about cracks) but I used them again
so this issue must be a setting down issue.
And the strut assemblies - looked side by side the same
as the old ones (although the old ones were clearly useless)
Haven't driven the car yet as I'm using the "refit" time
to change out the driveline bearing and put a new rear oil seal
in the diesel.

Once again thank you for the comments
regards
Gordon

[gmercoleza]

Does the suspension on your car require preloading before tightening the LCA bolts? I know that is the case on the W124, and it will sit higher initially if this isn't followed. Worse yet, the LCA bushings will be torn after a while.

[Swanson190d]

Hi
Yes it does - I had the car on the ground before I torqued them down
If I remember right they are torqued to a pretty high amount (80 ft - lbs)
I kinda jumped up and down on the front bumper and wiggled things around like that before giving them the torque.
While the car is out of action in the garage for a bit (and things are frozen solid from the cold so perhaps a bit more) I've been working the suspension up and down manually with the help of a friend on the other end of the car
seems like it's come down .5 inches or so just with our wiggling.

Usually I only do one thing at a time and check out its ok before moving on to another project on the car. Kinda got carried away this time - and all things were interconnected, wanted to get the most out of having the front end apart. If I'd planned better I would have replaced the bushings on the sway bar as well.

Gordon