Hi all

Weird one this....

My mechanic (ex-MB) has just replaced the front suspension (shocks/struts, springs, spring cups, wishbone bushes, swaybar bushes) on my 86 2.3-16v

Here's the odd bit.

Back on the ground, and the front is suddenly 3" higher.

Take it for a drive and its still 3" higher than before. (stock before)

Strange, so check part numbers: right shocks, right bushes, wrong springs, right cups.

So replace with original springs, and put it back on the floor. Still around 2.5" higher at the front.

Needless to say, it handles appallingly, and looks really really impossibly stupid.

The only thing I can determine he's done wrong is that he tightened the concentric wishbone bolts up with the car on the floor, rather than with the springs compressed (as stated in the workshop manual).

Can anyone shed any light on whats gone wrong here?

Thanks

Dunk

Ohers have posted here that this can happen with new struts, due to the increased gas pressure. You could put the old ones back to check, but do a search here first on strut replacement for more info and maybe a resolution.

Steve

I've got the same problem after I replaced my front struts with Bilstein from Performanceproducts. It looks a bit disappointed, the front is alot higher now. Something is not right here, I would guess probably the Bilstein strut, but I'm too tired of remove and then replace and wait and all that hassle.
I just wonder had I replaced them with the struts from the mercedes dealer, then what would be the outcome?
Alex

I just put 4 new bilstiens sports on the 16v too, and noticed it has clearance of a truck now lol,

I figure if new springs are installed it should be higher then the old compressed ones? right

i was going to get some 400e springs this week , i furgure i will have to cut off alot?anyone else ever do this?
Dave

Hey Davect,

Performanceproducts has the so call sport springs for the 16V. Maybe these springs are shorter so they are better mate with the Bilsteins. This just my guess I did not buy the springs or bother to find out the dimensions. Maybe you can try to give them a call to find out, I will probably look into it also. I just have other more serious things on may hands right now.

I would like to get back to the old look of my car, I really hated the truck looking clearances. Let us know if you have any luck.

Alex