w126 85 300SD new coil springs and spring pads
 

I'm getting all four coil springs and shims/pad replaced. My suspension guy confirmed the RH front side sits lower than the left side of the car by an inch or two and needs a new coil spring. This might explain why the suspension doesn't rebound/compress evenly over bumps and shimmies side to side like a horse drawn carriage. So I'm going to just replace all 4 shims/coils.

I'm looking on Pelican and see Lesjofors, Bilstein and Mercedes brand coil springs. Does anyone have any feedback on best brand of coil springs? Are Mercedes superior for the big price difference or just go with one of the other two?

Also, I'm going to call the MB Classic Car center to determine what shim size I need, there seems to be four sizes for front and rear just to complicate things! I wasn't able to find any definitive threads on which size should be used to restore stock ride height, if any forum members have input on which size shims front/rear to use I'd appreciate it. I want completely stock looking ride height.

Shims come in the following sizes:

FRONT - 9, 14, 19, or 23mm

REAR - 8 ,13, 18 or 23mm


Thanks

H&R lowering springs with the thickest spring pads work pretty well on my 300SDL.

Go with Bilstein if you can. Also check your struts, they are probably due as well. Bilstein B4 are stock, B6 are a little more stiff (less body roll without compromising comfort) and B8 are for lowering springs.

1987 300SDL Coil Springs
 

Any reason not to use aftermarket coils (MOOG) if one uses the car like a truck and the rear end sags and he's broken four oil pans up front in the last couple years ? .

My brothers car, he doesn't care about ride, just wants it to sit as high as possible, the entire car is full of crap 24/7 .

Thanx for this good thread, it's timely .

I checked the spring pads and I currently have 2 nubs (13mm) in front and 1 nub (8mm) in the rear, didn't think it was so easy to find the nubs but it is with car on the ground. I thought I had more nubs than that as the car seems on the higher side than lower.

Since I can only find rear Bilstein coils and front OEM equipment I decided to go with Lesjofors which are available all round. Getting them installed Friday, curious to see if the ride height or front rear stance changes at all.

I'm currently running standard non HD Bilstein shocks which I had replaced all round about 6 months ago and give a nice compliant ride.

For myself, I would buy the shortest pads available to lower the car a bit. YOu don't say the prices. If not too expensive I'd go with factory springs as they are about the most durable around.

YOu could probably just install shorter pads on the high side and level it that way.

The mention of "shimmies side to side" sounds like something besides coil springs. I would suspect either worn ball joints on the front or worn trailing arm bushings on the rear.

So what did you go with? I’m attempting the same thing. As the previous owner cut the springs way too short.