69 220D Rear Gas Shock Abs Ride Height

[Ralph69220d]

Probably an elementary question: Suspect the answer is "No". My 69 220d is heavy in the rear end to the point not having adequate steering control. I am not aware as to whether the coil springs lose their new spring steel characteristics with age and use. If possible, I am of need of a safe fix without having to spend money I don't have. So, the gas-adjust rear shock absorber's listed in the "Buy Parts" catalog on this website; my question is, is the gas-adjust only a control for soft/hard movement of the shock, or can it actually raise the height of the rear end of the car? Thank you in advance.
Ralph

[t walgamuth]

is for stiffness only, not ride height.

you can add those rubber wedges to raise it up, but that wont make you have any more weight on the front.

i would try to shift the heavier objects as clost to the front of the car as possible if you have any objects in there that are heavier than the others.

tom w

[Ralph69220d]

Thanks, Tom. That's what I figured and I have been doing the work around by keeping everything in the front passenger's that I can (including the spare). I had read somewhere on the forum that the springs do weaken with time and use. Thanks again.
Ralph

[t walgamuth]

are very high quality. brian carlton has made an extensive study of the entire rear end of his sdl for similar reasons to yours. he removed his springs and found that they had lost i think a half or maybe it was a quarter inch in non compressed height. so your problem is not likely to be helped a lot by replacing the springs. the cheap solution is the rubber wedges or rubber spacers at the base of the springs. the spacers at least for the sdls are available in different heights from the factory. i would guess that different ones are available for your car too. but prob wont give the relief that you are hoping for.

tom w

[Ralph69220d]

Thanks Tom,
What has me miffed is why there is "too much weight in rear", meaning i can't have a spare tire plus one driver plus one passenger in rear and have reasonable controllability. I empty the trunk and with no passenger or any additional weight in back seat and the care handles wonderfully at all speeds. What is the variable I'm missing? Or, do you think the minimal 1/4" in uncompressed height is causing this?
Ralph
I don't think I should have said "too much weight in rear"; all I know is that the front end behaves as if it were too light. Suspension components / sway bar / tie rods etc seem in good order. Tire wear in the front seems to indicate that it is in at least decent alignment. I'm almost of the mind to add 100 pounds to the front end. I know shiploads of these 69 220d's were sold in the States, so am guessing this is something peculiar to mine. As I write I realized I haven't checked the rear tire wear patterns. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[t walgamuth]

sounds different than i pictured. i pictured 300# in the trunk lifting the front end off the ground. but you dont have that extreme of a problem. in fact you dont have anything that really should be a problem.

so you must have a mechanical problem. check front end parts for loosness. suspension pivot points, steering play, sway bar links and bushings.
at the rear check the large a arms for rust making them act like hinges where they are supposed to be solid. check your sway bar links.

and check toe in at the front and toe out.

this is not how a 220 should handle with a moderate load. you should be able to put 200# in the trunk and five adults and have safe handling that will allow you to drive relaxed. (not too relaxed).

tom w

[Ralph69220d]

thanks, tom. will do a more thorough inspection tomorrow.

[Ralph69220d]

Thanks, Tom W,

found several problems that you mentioined.
ralph

[t walgamuth]

ralph. one more 220 to the good.

tom w