New 240d, been lurking, time for some upgrades.

I would like to improve the rear springs, less mush, less lean, better loaded ride height. Dont want to lower it, in fact maybe 1/2" higher would help, dont want a skateboard ride. Mostly want to tighten things up 25%.

Located one supplier that has progressives, but they sound like they also lower. Another that has upgrade kits for the sls and stock suspensions. Neither provides any specs for me to evaluate whats going on.

Does anyone know the factory spring rate and free length?

Does anyone know what the factory HD springs (if avail) change?

Does anyone have source recommendations?

Thanks

I installed the "SLS Delete Springs" and they are a great upgrade IMO. Great handling, great cornering, et cet. However, I am working on the 4-corner HPN from the 6.9 and grafting that into a W123. Because the HPN system costs a bazillion dollars, it has taken a bunch of time to figure out how to rebuild the various components. The struts are easy. A few other pieces to go and it looks very doable. Looking for the strut buckets currently.

Mark you are a wild man!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Mark, you should check out the factory springs made for ' countries with bad roads'... like Africa....they should give you what you describe as wanting... and you will know they will fit correctly that way... these are listed in one of the Chassis Manuals for the 123...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

These I think I have heard of but cant remember where, nor do I know where to look for a part number. Still, it would be good to know the specs both normal and HD. All of the usual suspects (that I know of) just list coil springs, 1 each, real good.

Have you thought about changing the Spring Pads?
They show 14mm and 19mm.

1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D Base Sedan - Suspension, Shocks & Springs - Page 2

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I think I have posted pictures of the chassis manual spring pages... somewhere in the archives...
Peachparts might be able to quote you the proper numbers..
or a Mercedes Dealer if they do not have them..
In those chassis pages they list the ' wire ' size... the thickness of the coil in the spring... in addition to it being a category of ' bad roads countries'..
New pads alone may raise the height of the car... but do not give you the better feel which new springs will.... everyone I know that has replaced springs is surprised and happy with the ' like new' feel....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Does this mean you are going to start offering rebuild services on SLS shocks**?

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Sure, but unless things are different in the USA than in Canada (could be), even with a part number in hand you cannot order foreign-market parts through the dealer unless you have in hand a VIN for a car from that market.

There is some leeway if for some reason the part is in stock here. In the case of those springs, no such luck and Germany won't ship them out without a VIN on the order. My local dealer parts manager, who always goes an extra mile for me, called head office to see if there was any way to fiddle it and the answer was no.

I spent some time trying to look through used car for sale websites in South Africa looking for a w123 TD but no joy. Now maybe a sedan VIN would be easier to find. I was trying to copy the ride height on my TD of that Ukrainian guy's wagon, the around-the-world family.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Then, of course, there are the W123 upgrade springs offered by propigskin here.

Those are one variation of the "SLS delete springs" Greazzer mentioned in post #2 in this thread.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

You are right; they are a variation made specifically for the W123 sedan.

Pertinent info would be along the lines of:
Free length
Coil diameter
Outside diameter(afaik ~4 3/4" or just to where a 5" spring won't fit the rear upper bucket)

You could likely employ around a 500 lb rate spring and still enjoy a decent ride due to where the spring applies force to the semi-trailing arm

__________________
97 e300d, 78 300Dt, 95 E300d, 94 E320 estate

There is a 1984 300TD wagon just placed in the Pick n Pull auto wrecking yard in Richmond, California that was posted on their website (Row 52) that has the VIN number. I can PM the VIN number to you if that helps.

They can be rebuilt, virtually the same parts and same process but I don't think it is worth it because you can find "new" ones for around $150 bucks versus the risk or issues of 1 person out of 100 saying his whole car has now sunk down to the bottom of the earth.

It only makes sense with the 6.9 suspension since I think those are hitting over $1,000 per strut versus $15 bucks for parts / materials/ consumables.