Just purchased H&R sports from Neil!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

drbrandini · #1 06-28-2002, 12:36 AM

I just purchased H&R sports from Neil. He seems to be a great guy! Any Suggestions before I get my hands dirty, installing these things? I plan on running bump 2's in front and 3's in rear. I am replacing the rear shocks with bilsteins and going to stick it out with the fronts for now. They seem to be ok.....we will see!!
Thanks,

Speedtek · #2 06-28-2002, 03:01 AM

I would rather put the stiffer shocks in the front and leave the rear mushy. Install some $20 Gabriels in the rear if you have to.
Check the Front upper strut mounting for cracks in the rubber. Good to replace them if needed! Worn out, they greatly affect the camber/caster of the car when driving.

Badinfo · #3 06-28-2002, 10:06 AM

let me just say if you leave the stock shocks in your car with lowering springs, your ride is going to suck big time. I did that for a week while I was being lazy and not installing my bilstein sports (btw... get sports you willl need them) and the car would just bounce all over the place, youd take a bump or even an expansion joint, and the car would bounce for like 15 seconds, it was horrible. And if you went over a speedbump etc.. the car would go up and then slam back down, bottoming out. The car will also bottom out all over the place. Trust me, you need bilstein sports all around with lowering springs...

J.HIDALGO · #4 06-28-2002, 10:12 AM

Comfort, HD or Sport? I have HD with H&R springs in all four corners. The ride is firm and responsive. I like it. Good time to look at all your bushings.

drbrandini · #5 06-28-2002, 10:31 AM

the front struts seem to be in good shape however I know the rear shocks are shot. I want to replace the springs and shocks at the same time but I am torn between bilstein sports and comfort! I dont want to break my teeth out but I do like aggressive handling and quick response. Suggestions are appreciated as well as real-life experiences.
Thanks again

Badinfo · #6 06-28-2002, 10:37 AM

well from first hand experience, the bilstein sports are not rough at all. The ride is extremely smooth and compliant. I would say it is somewhere between where the stock 300E was and where a new bmw 3 series is. The only time I can tell the shocks are not the original dampening is over very rough pavement, where you can feel a little feedback from the road and when you are taking turns, where the car sits flat around almost everything. Trust me, the ride isn't harsh at all, and under normall driving, its hard to tell the difference between the stock and the sport setting shocks...

drbrandini · #7 06-28-2002, 11:01 AM

Badinfo--your the man ....thats exactly what I was hoping you were going to say!! I think I will go with the sports all the way around. Im sure I'll like that. Also, does anyone have a pic of the spring compressor that I should rent. So that I'll know what I am looking at when I see it. And what bushing should I pay special attention too when I am changing these things out.
As you guys can see I am not afraid to ask questions!
Thanks,

Badinfo · #8 06-28-2002, 11:09 AM

from what ive heard, the mercedes requires a special type of spring compressor which is not available at an autozone, with that said, you could always try using a standard compressor (free for rent at autozone I believe) but I didn't risk it (or, my parents objected vehemently to me removing higly compressed springs that could chop my head off) Also, if you are going to change the shocks out, its a very simple job front and rear, and the fronts don't require a spring compressor (contrary to the mercedes manual cd) I took some pictures of my front install and ill be posted some kind of walkthrough real soon...

Ashman · #9 06-28-2002, 01:04 PM

Dr B. You can rent the spring compressor from performance products I believe, or I think one member has one he would be willing to rent to you.

I believe you can get the bilstein sports through autowerksexpress, ask for randall. if you are a benzsport member he gives a bit of a discount. I think he charges about $400 for all 4 sport shocks. Check it out. Good luck and post pics of your car when you have it all done.

I have the stock shocks in my car, the ride is not bouncy, but it could be better. The rear shocks in my car are leaking, so the rear is a bit bouncy, but nothing major. Ride is still fine by my standards for now....

My next upgrade is going to be bilstein sports.

Alon

ke6dcj · #10 06-28-2002, 07:09 PM

Brandon- I still have the front pair of Bilstein Sports available let me know . . .

:-) neil

BTW: I heard the Performance Products spring compressor was NOT the correct one.

The SirTool knock-off supposedly isn't strong or tough enough.

The *ONLY* one to use is made by Klann.
Baum Tools seems to have the cheapest price. and also carry them.

Here's how it should look (taken from: Samstag Sales and themotorshop.

Speedtek · #11 06-28-2002, 09:42 PM

You should use good shocks with lowering springs otherwise the springs will wear out faster. The front is the most important. I have seen brand new spring fatigue in 2 weeks due to bad shocks.

For the average driver who wants a smooth ride I recommend Bilstien sport front and Bilstien HD rear (or even Gabriels if there is a price issue.)

For the SPORT or RACE driver I recommend they use Bilstien Sports all around. Personally I am using Bilstien Sport Fronts with Adjustable SPAX rears and Intrax Springs. I will be converting my fronts to adjustable coil-overs as soon as I get the time.

drbrandini · #12 06-28-2002, 10:24 PM

Alon,
Thanks for the tip!! I will check with randall on monday!

Neil,
Thanks for posting the pic that helps... I think I'll save my 700 dollars since Ill probably only use it once. Im gonna keep searching for someone who rents a heavy duty compressor.
my brother is the operations manager for yang ming line regionally so I have him on the lookout.

I will keep you guys posted ....And I will get some pics!
Thanks,

CGenberg · #13 06-29-2002, 12:37 PM

Drbrandini,

I'm not clear on which of your cars you'll be putting the H&R's into, but if its the W124, just pay your mechanic to do the install if you can't find a Klann. There's a lot of bend in the springs on W124's that make them particularly hazardous to attempt without the Klann style compressor.

We have the Klann in the shop and it makes this job simple and as safe as it can be. We've compared the threads on the tightening bolt to the Autozone variety compressor and it's frightening to see how weak the Autozone compressors are by comparison. On top of which you have no idea how much it's been used, abused or maintained. We regrease our compressor with every use. I doubt renters do the same.

At the end of the day, changing springs really is a life and limb threatening endeavor. While the springs on a W124 are not particularly big (compare them to a W126), the bend in them makes it a much trickier proposition. Why bother for the $250 it'd cost in installation?

It's not a wise job to do on your own the first time.

Just some thoughts to consider before (as opposed to after...).

Ashman · #14 06-29-2002, 02:36 PM

I can prove the autozone one will not work. I originally tried it, and couldn't get it to compress the spring enough, let alone gett he spring out. I also felt unsafe. so I had my mech install them...

Alon

drbrandini · #15 06-30-2002, 10:32 PM

I have located a tool.. My friends dad has a spring compressor. According to Sean his son, he has replaced springs from a few 911's and Beamers with this set. I haven't spoken with his dad yet but he says I am welcome to use it. I am going to see if his dad will help. If it appears sketchy to me in any way I am going to pay my mech. to do it. Otherwise, I would like to learn the proceedure.