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  #16  
Old 05-11-2016, 12:11 PM
Diesel Preferred
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 2,788
I used to own a Euro 123 wagon with NA engine and five speed transmission, the front end was high like your car. A PO / "mechanic" had replaced the front springs with those meant for a US-spec car (turbo and automatic trans, so heavier car), resulting in the too-high front end. The part number is supposed to be stamped on one of the spring coils, close to one end, I only found it by removing the springs and using a wire-wheel grinder to clean off the corrosion and paint.

Also mentioned are the pads on top of the springs, which are available in different thicknesses depending on options like A/C, automatic transmission, sunroof, which all add weight. In addition, spring pads might be thicker/thinner based on the strength of the particular spring set (there are supposed to be color codes on the springs due to variations within springs made to certain part numbers / specifications, springs are supposed to be matched even though they may be weaker/stronger than a "perfect" spring).

In your place, I'd dig into the FSM and determine exactly what springs and pads might have been originally fitted to your car, and then check to see which spring pads are installed (there are supposed to be nubs hanging from the edge of the rubber, visible when the pad is installed. Either one, two, three or four nubs to indicate the thickness). See section 32-220 of the FSM, careful reading will help you determine what springs / pads your car should have.

Last thought: What "flavor" of Bilstein shocks did you purchase, "comfort" or something else like "HD"? If you didn't get comfort but got the heavy duty version, they will make the car sit higher and also make the ride quite firm.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC
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  #17  
Old 05-11-2016, 12:39 PM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
Posts: 26,835
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmax55 View Post
ok well another thing to fix! hahah

2 questions

1) springs really wear out?

2) how much of the rear end rubber components can i replace myself without messing with springs?(already have new axles in car)

the springs scare me


Max
nothing to worry about with the rear springs.
when you lower the subframe to replace worn rubber, the springs will be uncompressed, and drop out easily.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #18  
Old 05-11-2016, 01:16 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: central Texas
Posts: 17,281
Somewhere in the archives I think RLeo has a description of his near accident... not having raised his car high enough to start with... he got his hand clamped to the floor by the rear suspension...
Don't know if this car has same design rear suspension... but springs demand respect.
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  #19  
Old 05-11-2016, 01:32 PM
vstech's Avatar
DD MOD, HVAC,MCP,Mac,GMAC
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leathermang View Post
Somewhere in the archives I think RLeo has a description of his near accident... not having raised his car high enough to start with... he got his hand clamped to the floor by the rear suspension...
Don't know if this car has same design rear suspension... but springs demand respect.
ABSOLUTELY! ALL vehicle parts demand respect, ESPECIALLY anything held up by a jack, or supported on stands...

follow all rules, and procedures when lowering the subframe, and don't get any body parts between surfaces!
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!
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  #20  
Old 05-11-2016, 01:56 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Marietta GA
Posts: 184
Guys, here is a pic of the springs and shocks. Has a red and green dot painted on it. Not sure if my shocks are HD or not. i like the HD though.

Also, my car is a US car, used to have the big bumpers, and was a non turbo(1978 model). it does have a Euro N/A motor from an 85 model Euro car.

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1978 300D
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  #21  
Old 05-11-2016, 02:29 PM
funola's Avatar
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,245
See post #49 from Coil spring compressor

The paint marks on the bottom coil of the rear spring determines number of nubs of rubber cup. I assume the front springs are similarly identified with a different chart?
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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked
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  #22  
Old 05-11-2016, 03:44 PM
DeliveryValve's Avatar
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Central California
Posts: 4,159
Quote:
Originally Posted by Madmax55 View Post
Guys, here is a pic of the springs and shocks. Has a red and green dot painted on it. Not sure if my shocks are HD or not. i like the HD though.

Also, my car is a US car, used to have the big bumpers, and was a non turbo(1978 model). it does have a Euro N/A motor from an 85 model Euro car.
..
You wouldn't determine the spring type based on paint marks. To be absolutely sure, you need to remove the spring to look at the part number located on the bottom coil. If you don't want to go through that exercise, get an accurate caliper and measure the wire diameter of the coil. Based on the measurement, we could probably determine what spring type you have from the FSM.


.
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  #23  
Old 05-11-2016, 04:45 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 4,154
Bilstein shocks have a number on them, perhaps on a sticker and can be identified by the number.
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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.
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  #24  
Old 05-11-2016, 05:03 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: central Texas
Posts: 17,281
Paint marks in the middle of the spring mean NOTHING .
they are from the spring manufacturer... not from MB..
the important info is at the bottom as mentioned...
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  #25  
Old 05-12-2016, 04:19 PM
Diesel Preferred
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 2,788
Well, the paint marks do mean something, according to section 32-220 of the 123 FSM that I pointed out earlier. In addition, they need to be matched on right and left sides to ensure even ride height on both sides. The color code is supposed to be either red or blue, his picture shows a red and a green mark. Perhaps that is a manufacturer mark, and the "official" pain code is located somewhere else on the spring? Only sure way to know is to pull the springs (with a proper compressor) and check the part number.

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC
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