W126 Suspension Questions
 

I have an 86 SEL AMG which has had the "self-leveling" stuff removed. It now has Bilsteins all the way around...My question is that the front wheels are constantly "crashing" into the wheel lips. The shocks appear to be brand new. Could I have a broken coil? It just feels like the car doesn't move w/the suspension. I also have a 16v w/H&R coils and KYB and have had no problem. The coils appear stock on the SEL and it sits level. HELP

Maybe the wheels don't have enough offset or the wheels are too wide.

A suspension stiff enough to limit the vertical travel of the front wheel such that the shoulder of the tire doesn't tuck under the fender is far too stiff.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

i think sixto has hit it on the head. pull a front wheel and see what is marked on the rim. 23 - 25mm is what should be on the wheel. anything else may push it into the outer lip or the inner liner.

even with h&r sport springs you should be able to get 18x8.5 on there.

don't know if your replaced self leveling set up could have lowered your body too much.

good luck
craig

Is it not true though that the springs w/the self leveling suspension are to soft to support the car w/regular shocks?

Maybe but AFAIK W126 with self-leveling suspension only has the function in the rear. The springs in front wouldn't be too soft in the absence of hydraulic equipment. But I could be wrong.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Yes, but follow this logic... If the rear springs were not replaced and no swaybar installed/uprated this could cause a lean under heavy cornering.Yes?

I suppose but I'm coming from a different standpoint. If you remove all four shock absorbers and springs, you should be able to move each wheel through the entire range of suspension travel without any part of the wheel/tire hitting any part of the car. You can stiffen the suspension and or reshape the fenderwells such that wider-than-original wheels do not contact the body. You must be really after appearance at that point because even race cars are not set-up that way. Murcielago and Enzo wheels tuck nicely into the fenders.

To your last point, increasing roll resistance will help reduce wheel contact with the body when turning, but it won't do anything to reduce wheel contact with the body when hitting a dip or ramp or speedbump, etc.

420SEL original or performance springs might be an alternative for you.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

If it`s an AMG , they removed the self leveling during there modifications.

John