Experts Q-124: rear susp: springs: ride height

[haasman]

My '91 300E with 168k miles, just had its rear springs replaced with stock MBZ springs.

The rear suspension was hitting the bump stops with passengers in the rear seats. The results are great! Car feels balanced and the ride seems to be improved AND no more hitting full compression on the suspension. Very glad I did this.

Question: Does anyone have any experience with how much this rubber collars compress over time? I did not replace the rubber collar between the body and the spring. It is a three bump collar. The rear is just a little lower than before. Would replacing the collar with a fresh one really make any difference? Instead should I A) replace the collar with a four bump? B) just replace the old three bump collar with a new one? C) possibly replace the front springs two bump with a one bump and lower the front end slightly and get the weight transfer?

Hopefully this isn't too confusing.

Thank you in advance-


Haasman

[pmizell]

I can't imagine the rear end lowering after installing new springs, unless you had something other than stock springs in before.

If you like the lowered look, I suggest you replace the front spring pads from 2 bump to 1. If not then replace the rear pads from 3 to 4 to raise to front height as I do not think these pads give in over time.

My suggestion would be (c).

Just my .02

Good luck!

~Paul

_______________________
'91 300E, 206k miles

[haasman]

Paul, it surprised me as well.

The springs are from FastLane, OEM MBZ matched to the car's VIN #. The ones I took out in comparison to the new ones were exact: Same height and same color codes painted on them.

The only other possible thing I could think of was that when the rear susp was disassembled that the bolts were not exactly re-located where they once were?

Any one have this experience?

BTW, I am very satisfied with the ride quality improvement. This was one of those "Hmm what do I need to do to fix this ....." and except for the small amount of reduction in the rear ride height, it is great!

[haasman]

Anyone know what the static ride height is supposed to be? How to measure it on a '91 300E?

thank you in advance,

Jeff

[pmizell]

Member 'JCE' would know this one....

Do a search for a post of his and send him a personal email. I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you out. He's very good about giving advice.

Good luck Jeff

~Paul

_________________
'91 300E, 206k miles

[J.HIDALGO]

You did not mention shocks. If those are the original shocks, that can give you a problem with the ride (not necessarily yours) but, I put Bilstein HD's and HR springs in my car. One bump at front and 3 bumps in the rear. I have a 1 finger clearance at front and 2 fingers clearance in the rear. I know shocks are designed to control the rebound but the HD's, at least in my car, helped me in keeping the "lowered look" without the "slammed look". Other people had rubbing problems with the HR and Bilstein sports and stock/comfort shocks.
In other words, even if you want to keep your stock springs, like you already have, look into getting new shocks. Do a search on the subject.
Just a friendly advice

I'd have the car looked at for negative camber on an alignment rack. Since these cars dont have an adjustment for camber, its not good to lower them without a kit. Anything more than -1 degree will cause irregular tire wear, also look for toe adjustment because that will litteraly scrub the rubber off the tires (learned this one the hard way.. new mich's gone in 10k miles)

From my experience, the rubber pad didnt compress too much, but I changed the springs at 80k because I had a ride height problem, not at 168k, but they are about 5 bucks each and are worth replacing while you have the springs out.


Jason

[haasman]

My shocks were changed front and rear at 132K miles to Bilsteins HD.

Does anyone know or have the suspension height measurements from and rear for a '91 300E?

thanks in advance,

Jeff