Springs or not to Springs - 1991 W124 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bengoshi2000 · #1 03-14-2019, 09:52 AM

So,
My plan to do shocks/struts back in the fall did not come to pass. I've been carting the kids back and forth to school but hadn't put 4 "healthy" adults in it before last week. Seems the entire car sat 2 inches lower... or more in the back it was riding really low. So now I'm thinking I should do springs as well.

My questions are straightforward:

1) Given the age of the vehicle would new springs be any benefit?
2) I've read that there were "taxi springs" available for the w124 rear and I'm interested in the possibility of installing a pair... assuming I can find a pair.

I'm convinced the shocks/struts are gone along with the strut mounts. Front right squeaks like a donkey in heat. I'm going to bite the bullet and do the rear multilinks at the same time.

Peace,
Norm

oldsinner111 · #2 03-14-2019, 10:00 AM

i used those twist spring spacers.because our springs are metric, I used another jack to spread spring,so I could insert the risers

dieselbenz1 · #3 03-14-2019, 10:07 AM

I'm also considering some supenion work on mine as well as I'm noticing some weird behaviour just still too cold out to look under the car but its the rear for certain and I seem to be bottoming out on occasion. On my w123 300tdt I did rear springs, shocks and that solved all my issues. I'll try and crawl under soon to inspect the multilink rear suspension soon. The taxi springs sound interestig I would likely be game for those as well. I do know the fronts are different between gas and diesel models.

oldsinner111 · #4 03-14-2019, 10:21 AM

well be sure to get pads for springs,if carring weight they should make thicker ones

speednjay · #5 03-14-2019, 12:50 PM

Slap some of those airbags that go inside the springs for your fat ass friends

capflya · #6 03-14-2019, 03:33 PM

I put r129 SL500 springs in the back of my 87 300D. I think I cut half a coil off maybe to get the height where I wanted it unloaded. I heard of others doing this so I followed suit. Filled the trunk with extra fuel and tools/bags and we drove to socal and it was great. I'd recommend those springs if you want some stronger springs that still let it handle good.

Bengoshi2000 · #7 03-15-2019, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capflya

I put r129 SL500 springs in the back of my 87 300D. I think I cut half a coil off maybe to get the height where I wanted it unloaded. I heard of others doing this so I followed suit. Filled the trunk with extra fuel and tools/bags and we drove to socal and it was great. I'd recommend those springs if you want some stronger springs that still let it handle good.

Thank you... this is the kind of advice I was looking for. I'm a bit leery of cutting springs, but that brings another question to mind...

Are there any springs from the other w124 models that would fit, but provide a bit more firmness in the rear, without cutting?

dieselbenz1 · #8 03-21-2019, 12:27 PM

Just wondering which struts and shocks you will be going with? Kyb adjustable have some nice prices with the rebates now.

capflya · #9 03-22-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bengoshi2000

Thank you... this is the kind of advice I was looking for. I'm a bit leery of cutting springs, but that brings another question to mind...

Are there any springs from the other w124 models that would fit, but provide a bit more firmness in the rear, without cutting?

I don't remember if there are any that are more firm that fit directly. The R129 platform is very similar to W124 so they technically fit directly on the W124 but I wanted it slightly lower than it was, so I cut a tiny bit off.

dlssmith · #10 03-23-2019, 11:26 AM

Spring pads are available in various thickness if you are trying to adjust clearance. I doubt if the springs are weak or sprung. But it is possible that your spring pad is hardened over time and compressed.

t walgamuth · #11 03-23-2019, 02:14 PM

mb springs are pretty durable unless really abused. I'd say a good chance if you do shocks and bushings as needed you'll be fine. Remember.....extra weight pushing down springs is how it is designed to work.

I have always lived with old springs on my benzes unless one actually breaks... which has happened once or twice in 30 some old benzos.

Bengoshi2000 · #12 03-24-2019, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speednjay

Slap some of those airbags that go inside the springs for your fat ass friends

I wouldn't say my friends are "fat" but perhaps "gravitationally enhanced." ...and that includes myself.

I really want Billstien HD's (B6) or possibly the HD variant of the B4. Then I can forget about struts / shocks for another 125,000+ miles. The car is a keeper and I have no plans to sell.

Clearance is not really the problem... it's compression when loaded. I remedied a similar issue in my mkiv golf by putting wagon springs in the rear. It has a slight forward rake unloaded and sits perfectly level with the aforementioned "fat arses". That's what I'd like to see on my 300D.

I'm encouraged to hear that Benz springs aren't prone to sagging/wearing out. That saves cost / effort that can be put towards the shocks (and replacing the rear multilinks).