W123 lowering springs - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Old300D · #46 03-21-2005, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Clearly, this must be true. The longer length of wire allows more movement and therefore a softer spring with a decreased rate.

Somehow, I got to thinking that less coils means more deflection per coil, but, this can't be true.

If you chopped the spring down to two coils, there would be negligible movement when the load is applied.

It would bind.

boneheaddoctor · #47 03-21-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old300D

It would bind.

Cut it down to two coils and you are a new member of the lowriders......

rjonec · #48 03-21-2005, 08:54 PM

To put is it simply a coil spring is a torsion bar, instead of it being straight it is coiled. The shorter the bar the stiffer it will be. Spring rate has nothing to do with free length.

You can play with this formula to see how the spring rate would be affected if you cut a coil.

K= (G*(wd^4))/(8*n*(Dm^3))

K= spring rate lb/in
G= modulus of ridgidty. Steel = 11.500.000 psi
wd= wire diameter
Dm = mean spring diameter (wire diameter + inside diameter)
n = total active coils, Both ends closed = 1.9 dead coils, one closed and one end open = 1.5 dead coils, both ends open = 1.0 dead coils.

I hope this helps.

Richard
Vogtland North America, Inc
951.694.6981
www.vogtland.com

winmutt · #49 11-14-2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf_walker

True, it is that way, but it's more a function of weight and the design of the car.

If you eliminate the spring movement, something else will give, be it tires or whatever, there just too much car that's too tall physicaly(not ride height) to ever snap around like you want it to.
I'd love it if it would, but I don't see it happening. I believe also that I've read MB designed in that body roll for a reason, something about the w115 cornering *too* flat and oversteering badly. I don't recall.

One thing you could do, is find a TD rear sway bar(1mm larger), and correct from bar mounting brackets from a TD, they have fewer holes in them and are stiffer, acording to the FSM. Little bits someties help.

I do know what your talking about, but it's just the way things are in a car like this. I went through a c3 corvette awhile back, kyb's, poly bushings, oversize sway bars, the works. Handles great, except that 70 series tires now feel like there made of marshmellows. Have a go at it, but don't expect a porsche.

I suggest just moving up to 16" rims with a wider tire. I cant break traction these days. Makes it GREAT fun to ride in the mountains.

rudolfgreen · #50 11-14-2006, 04:06 PM

good advice, but might take note this is an old thread..

MTUpower · #51 11-14-2006, 07:06 PM

A note for wagon owners: my non turbo wagon handled much much better than my turbo wagon (both w123's) . Then I switched to front springs from a non turbo car and used smaller spring pads and the turbo wagon handled like a champ.

omegabenz · #52 11-15-2006, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudolfgreen

Trying to match up a set of lowering springs to some Bilstein HD's, and VOGTLAND (or Eibach for that matter) does not make them anymore.

126-type springs are not compatible with 123 chassis correct?

vogtland will make 123 springs, but a minimum of 10 or 20 sets is required. I am not quite sure which, but I never was able to get enough interest in the past to do this for my 300cd

winmutt · #53 11-15-2006, 10:41 AM

Bringing life back to this old thread. I noticed in the FSM there were "police" issue springs and shocks. Anyone know what was different about them? Stiffer? Longer travel? My Euro used to be a taxi and I wonder if it had other "specialized" equipment.

rudolfgreen · #54 11-15-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Bringing life back to this old thread. I noticed in the FSM there were "police" issue springs and shocks. Anyone know what was different about them? Stiffer? Longer travel? My Euro used to be a taxi and I wonder if it had other "specialized" equipment.

that's awesome that your euro was a taxi..
and definitely am curious about "police package" 123s (even cooler).

hopefully you have been keeping an eye on this thread.
Group Purchase of Vogtland Springs, W123........NEED INTERESTED MEMBERS!!!