PAD System/Eibach Ride Height on 190

Got lots of responses to my question about Eibach springs on my 190...to me it looks like the front is higher than the rear and from some of the replies from some of the pros out there it is a fairly common problem with the Eibachs on the 190's. So, I'll throw it out to the experts. What is the PAD system and how does it work? What have those of you with this same"problem" done to fix it? When I ordered the Eibach's not one person even mentioned this happening? What's up with that? Why would Eibach have this little "abnormality" and not H&R? Thanks to everyone for your thoughts on this.

Dave Browning
89 190E 2.6
Commander U-571 "Dive....Dive" (no pun intended).

Dave,
Use the search function above and look up "spring pad" in the Perf Paddock forum - I guarantee you'll find your answers - this topic has come up a lot!

[Clinton]

Hey there,

Well I'll briefly explain the pad thing. Mercedes Uses different thicknesses on the spring pads that go between the spring perch and the spring. This pads function is to just cushion the springs so it is not up against metal and it keeps the spring in place too. For instance, since the front seems higher, you can get thinner pads for the front and thicker pads for the rear. I don't know if it will even it out much but that is what this "pad thing" is all about. You can get these pads from Mercedes for around $5 each. Thickness of the pads do not reflect the price. When you order them from Mercedes, make sure you speak to someone who knows what the hell they are talking about. ;-)

Good luck.
Regards,

Clinton Davis
'86 190E 2.3-16V

Clinton....Muchas Gracias for the pad info. Apparently I installed the Eibachs on the oem spring pads on my 190E (whatever they were). I'm taking your advice and probably getting the thinnest ones I can for the front. Again, appreciate the info.


Dave Browning
89 190E

I know this was posted some time in the past, but I'll repeat it since I now have "first-hand" experience. Had my front wheels off the other weekend to paint my calipers (BRIGHT Yellow). OK, enough with the snide remarks -- it really looks "killer", "da bomb", -- use whatever adjective suits your generation. I must say the Pearl Black AMG monoblock rims really offset well with the yellow calipers(Rustoleum paint, 4-oz can, brushed on). Back on track -- while I was "in there" I noticed the spring pad on the upper perch had 3 small bumps on the lip (maybe .06" dia semi-circles pointing downward). I think this is what's termed a "3-bump" pad. Don't know the thickness equivalents, but I think the pads come in 1-bump to 4-bump sizes (8mm thk per bump?).

Brian

hello. Brian, i got a question for you. you said you painted your calipers yellow. When you go to m-benz dealers for brake change, don't you have to paint the caliper again? don't they change the calipers/?? I may be wrong. Just curious. thanks.

[Luke@tirerack]

I'll make this short and simple.

The factory uses a shorter front spring and a thicker pad to achieve the proper ride height and ride quality. Eibach does not use the shorter front spring so you do need to change the pad to create level ride height.
Thanks, Luke

p.s. no need to change calipers for a minor brake job. Only change them if they are defective.



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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
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