W123 Suspension/ride height woes - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

guyonabuffalo · #16 02-04-2018, 06:32 PM

I will take some measurements of the wheel height and the wheel well height tomorrow. For the mean time, here is a video of what the front end is doing when going over bumps.

Please go to this link for the video https://youtu.be/pLKuj9Gdq3s It should start playing from a few seconds before the speed bumps but in case it doesnt and start from a while back,

Please watch from 3:20 onwards. https://youtu.be/pLKuj9Gdq3s

Thank you all for the words of advice.

I currently have Lesjofor springs in the rear with the 3 nub spring pads. I assume this is the most I can raise the back.

leathermang · #17 02-04-2018, 07:04 PM

I did not notice any Real Speed bumps....
I suggest you go to a parking lot and go back and forth over some real speed bumps..
that was great video..

guyonabuffalo · #18 02-05-2018, 07:10 PM

I did go over a few bumps. Pretty much starts at the beginning of the video.

Also, if anyone has noticed, my engine block jumps as well. I am suspecting that the "thunk" I am hearing inside the car (and in the video) is the engine going up and down. Can someone please chime in?

Can bad motor mounts allow this to happen? My mounts and stabilizer shock are 1 year old. I used Lemfoerder/Phoenix mounts - which are OEM. They perform really when new but my engine shakes and lopes a lot at idle since I had some weird timing issue so I suspect the mounts are worn out now. However the engine jumping up and down seems kind of crazy.

MongooseGA · #19 02-05-2018, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyonabuffalo

I did go over a few bumps. Pretty much starts at the beginning of the video.

Also, if anyone has noticed, my engine block jumps as well. I am suspecting that the "thunk" I am hearing inside the car (and in the video) is the engine going up and down. Can someone please chime in?

Can bad motor mounts allow this to happen? My mounts and stabilizer shock are 1 year old. I used Lemfoerder/Phoenix mounts - which are OEM. They perform really when new but my engine shakes and lopes a lot at idle since I had some weird timing issue so I suspect the mounts are worn out now. However the engine jumping up and down seems kind of crazy.

I felt the same thing on mine after doing the mounts. I left the shocks, though. Actually one is disconnected.

Check your drive shaft support bushings. If it's toasted, the shaft will thud in its bracket. I have a new part here waiting to go into mine.

bigpanda16 · #20 02-06-2018, 10:21 AM

I would cut 3/4 of a coil off the front Springs and call it a day

t walgamuth · #21 02-06-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyonabuffalo

Hi folks,

My 2nd thread for the day. I mentioned that I have been hit with a few problems lately and here is the 2nd (first being the leaky radiator)

I recently changed all 4 springs and shocks.

Used Lesjofors springs and Bilstein comfort/OEM shocks.

While the ride quality is excellent, my ride height is garbage. I am suspecting the springs I got, at least for the front are meant for the turbo (heavier engine etc). I used new spring pads with the 2 nubs - just the like the originals I replaced.

Before replacing the springs, I did compare the overall height with the old one and there was an obvious difference; however I just assumed it was because the old springs had sagged over time, didnt expect the ride height to go up this much.

Keep in mind, the pictures attached are after an alignment (which helped a bit and the car now drives nice); however the raised front end definitely looks off to me.

Also, when I go over speed bumps at a reasonable speed, there is a big "thump". It almost feels like my wheels lose contact with the ground and then slam down faster than the nose of the car. I could be wrong but just my theory. I will try to attach a camera somewhere in the wheel well to get some footage of this and hopefully post soon.

Any advice from the seasoned members here would be greatly appreciated.

Worst case scenario, these springs are meant for the turbo engine and not suitable for my car. In which case, I would be willing to trade with someone for the right type of springs (even used). A friend even suggested cutting a coil - I feel squeamish about doing that.

Your responses are greatly appreciated.

Why did you change your springs?

leathermang · #22 02-06-2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpanda16

I would cut 3/4 of a coil off the front Springs and call it a day

Are you sure in giving that advice that the springs and rubber associated with it would FIT ....?

or would it need to be one exact coil turn that needs to be taken off ?

t walgamuth · #23 02-06-2018, 01:26 PM

Maybe if they aren't broken he should just put the stock springs back in. I have found them to be very durable and cannot remember ever having to replace one.

Maxbumpo · #24 02-06-2018, 01:53 PM

The 123 FSM has a section devoted to all the spring and pad combinations and calculations for each model. For instance, a bone stock stripper (no AC, manual trans, no sunroof, manual windows and seats) gets one combination, but a fully-optioned car gets another. When I bought my 123.190 it had the wrong front springs (I suspect for a US wagon, mine was a Euro car with no AC, manual trans, manual windows and sunroof) and I thought it rode too high in front. I did some research and determined via EPC that the 240D springs were correct for my car, so I got a used set and fixed that problem.

leathermang · #25 02-06-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxbumpo

The 123 FSM has a section devoted to all the spring and pad combinations and calculations for each model. For instance, a bone stock stripper (no AC, manual trans, no sunroof, manual windows and seats) gets one combination, but a fully-optioned car gets another. When I bought my 123.190 it had the wrong front springs (I suspect for a US wagon, mine was a Euro car with no AC, manual trans, manual windows and sunroof) and I thought it rode too high in front. I did some research and determined via EPC that the 240D springs were correct for my car, so I got a used set and fixed that problem.

They really are OCD about it... and also in terms of ' left to right' levels too.. a paper manual for these cars is wonderful reading...
It takes about 7 manuals to have all the original info
then they also put out paper yearly combo FSM's which relate '' Tech Bulletins '' for fixing things they learn about from dealer feedback...

guyonabuffalo · #26 02-06-2018, 06:10 PM

Thanks for all the input, everyone. Just measured the spring thickness and it is 15.8mm like the FSM states for the turbo.,

Should have checked before making the purchase,

t walgamuth - Unfortunately, I left my old springs next to a recycling bin, so they have since vanished. Also, there was really nothing wrong with the springs other than age related sag. I just changed them because I wanted all new components...sigh.

I have been considering cutting 1 coil off since I have now determined that my springs are meant for a turbo. That being said, getting these springs on was a giant pain in the @$$. The holes on top of my shock tower are exactly the same diameter as the spring compressor tool shaft. It was fairly easy to get it in but getting it out took forever. Either way, I m just wondering if I want to go through that ordeal again - taking a coil off will make it easier to get the spring back on and lower the ride height to what I like but do I really want to feel like I was pummeled by a million sandbags the next day?....

Junkman · #27 02-06-2018, 06:55 PM

Question: I remember reading some easy way to use the spring compressor on the 123. Is it possible to enlarge the hole without damaging the car? Sorry, I don't remember the details just that there was some trick. Many here have removed the springs using the cheap spring compressor.

leathermang · #28 02-06-2018, 07:02 PM

[QUOTE=guyonabuffalo;3786583]
I have been considering cutting 1 coil off since I have now determined that my springs are meant for a turbo......but do I really want to feel like I was pummeled by a million sandbags the next day?....[/QUOTE

I hate to mention this... but cutting that coil off... will lower the car
but will NOT change the Spring Rate
meaning it will still be stiff...
You were right to put in new springs..
sorry you wound up with the Turbo weight ones..

t walgamuth · #29 02-06-2018, 07:07 PM

Cutting off a coil will make it a little stiffer, but probably not that bad, the mb springs from the factory are pretty soft.

leathermang · #30 02-06-2018, 07:46 PM

I don't think it will make it stiffer or softer.. since the ' wire size' is not being changed..
but only lower the front end... I was addressing his complaint about how stiff it was...I think he would have to change to the proper wire size to ' fix ' that ......