Did I install the wrong spring pads?
 

Here's one of those questions I should have asked BEFORE install. I wanted to go with the 1 burl spring pads on my '95 C36, I figured it would amount to about 1/2" of lowering without any ride quality compromise. On install I noticed that the new pads didn't seem as deep as the current pads, and the spring really didn't seem to fit in quite right. After install (of course), I decided to double check the PNs in the EPC. I installed 2103210184 (5 mm) spring pads, which are listed for my VIN. But then I read the footnote: "as of ident no 384234. My C36 is 203185.:eek: Not to mention it currently sits HIGHER than it did previously. I did the exact same thing in back (different PNs).

So, am I pretty much screwed, or should early and late W202 pads interchange? There is a one burl pad listed that applies to my VIN, 2013210984, but it's 8 mm. I guess that will be plan B.

i am not familiar with your model vehicle vis a vis spring pads, though I have
extensive hands-on with E320 and lowering. if the pad sizing follows conven-
tion, your front and rear pads are different diameters so be sure you've purchased
pads for the proper end that you're lowering.

springs should also index into their perch. if you examine the lower perch, it
should have an indentation for the lower end of the coil to butt up against.
if you didn't the spring will be positioned, in effect, to ride higher than it should.

generally, factory installed pads are mid range....perhaps #2 in the rear and #3
in the front (may vary). what size pads did you remove in front....back? the
thickness diff should only be about 4mm between 'burl' so I don't think you're
going to get an effective drop of .5" just by going with a 2 burl drop.

did you change any other parts? or pads only (and it still rides higher than
before)?

Raymond, yes the front and rear pads are different diameter, that much is correct. I have worked on springs before, so I am familiar with the stop on the bottom perch and the stop on the spring pad that the upper spring coil end butts into. Front was a 3 and back was a 2, per the EPC they were 18 mm and 13 mm. Going with 5 mm front and rear should have made for a noticable difference.

The new pads were thinner (obviously), but also not as deep. They fit over the spring ok, but didn't seem to fit as well as the old pads that I was removing.

I also changed my tie rod/center link assembly, which would have no impact on ride height. Yes, it looks to be sitting higher than before.

Just to add one note; Replacing the same spring pad on a 15-year-old one should typically raise the car and is one fix for sagging/camber problems. Perhaps your old pad was well-compressed?

Possible, but they appeared to be thicker than the ones I installed. I'll measure them and see what the actual thickness is.

To update this thread and answer my question, the pads are not identical (despite what I read on another forum). Lesson learned the hard way, pay attention to VIN breaks in the EPC.:)