Spring removal on my W108 questions

[Calspeed]

Hello,

I have done a lot of searching but I can't find any instructions on how to remove the rear springs on my W108.

I understand that I need to buy or rent a spring compressor. But I was hoping somebody could give me instructions or even better a step by step guide on how to remove the rear springs.

Why am I removing them? the rear of my car sits a lot higher than the front of my car. I am going to cut off one coil and level the car.

thanks for the advice and warnings.

Miguel

PS; I have already installed new Bilsteins

[Palolo]

drive the car for a while, keep tank full and something in the trunk. it'll settle a bit after the new shocks settle in. The shocks need to go through a few cycles to get everything worked on the inside.

also, cutting coils will increase harsness in the ride. there are ways of altering ride height without cutting coils.

[Tomguy]

Are your rear springs on the lowest perch setting? The rear springs are on adjustable perches.

[twinockchef]

If you want to know the correct ride height the for the rear axle you will need to first find out the camber of each rear wheel. If they are both zero degress then everything is correct. Now if the wheels have either a negative or position camber then there are four areas of the axle which will you have to look at to correct the problem.
They are:
1. the center axle mount
2. cross strut rubber
3. compensation spring rubber
4. upper & lower spring rubber
Cutting the springs will just destroy your tires and mess up the stability of the rear end.

[Tomguy]

Also, have you verified your front isn't too low? Crushed subframe mounts will make your front sit 1-2" lower.

[wbain5280]

Don't cut the springs.

[meltedpanda]

yes dont cut the springs.

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Also, have you verified your front isn't too low? Crushed subframe mounts will make your front sit 1-2" lower.

I was about to say the same thing. Don't stuff around with the springs. Mercedes Benz knows more than you do about car engineering. Have you replaced all the soft rubber components in the front that have collapsed over the years?

- Peter.

[Calspeed]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

I was about to say the same thing. Don't stuff around with the springs. Mercedes Benz knows more than you do about car engineering. Have you replaced all the soft rubber components in the front that have collapsed over the years?

- Peter.

Thanks for all of the information and advice.

All of the suspension bushings have been replaced. Its amazing that these things were still available from the local MB Dealership. New Bilsteins on all four corners.

Anyway, got the springs off today without a hitch. Thanks for the disassembly tips too. (you know who you are).

Took all of about 3 hours. Which included taking pictures and having a stick fight with my son.

The car sits great and looks amazing.

Miguel

[pj67coll]

Hope it works out. Might just be the angle of the shots but the car looks far too low to me.

- Peter.

[Tomguy]

Yeah, both the front and rear look low to me. Not bad, just low.

[Calspeed]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Yeah, both the front and rear look low to me. Not bad, just low.

Yes, compared to its original stance it is lower. I drove the car about 50 miles today. A combination of inner city, up and down the San Francisco hills. Many low speed corners. Speed bumps and poor road conditions. Then I took the family out for a pancake breakfast down the SF Peninsula. On the freeway the car felt great. Actually not much difference from before. The handing was tighter but not sporty. Our Toyota Yaris would be considered sporty compared to the W108.

The new Bilsteins felt very nice. And the new bushings took all of the squeak away. And cutting the W108 coil springs made the car much more pleasing to my eye. As for crazy and lop-sided handling? None of that was experienced. I certainly didn't drive it in a way that would test its handling behavior. This car is not meant for that purpose.

With the lowered springs the W108 looks sleek and classy. And without a doubt, it gets more following looks and stares from pedestrians.

Miguel

[Palolo]

Originally Posted by Calspeed

And cutting the W108 coil springs made the car much more pleasing to my eye. As for crazy and lop-sided handling? None of that was experienced. I certainly didn't drive it in a way that would test its handling behavior. This car is not meant for that purpose.

It is during braking/cornering that the swing axle's bad habits exhibit themselves. The rear rises due to weight shift, and the inside wheel drops, going to positive camber, resulting in oh-crap-time-for-new-BVDs.



Did you also cut the center compensating spring? Or just the outer springs?

[rgrobman]

Originally Posted by Calspeed

Yes, compared to its original stance it is lower. I drove the car about 50 miles today. A combination of inner city, up and down the San Francisco hills. Many low speed corners. Speed bumps and poor road conditions. Then I took the family out for a pancake breakfast down the SF Peninsula. On the freeway the car felt great. Actually not much difference from before. The handing was tighter but not sporty. Our Toyota Yaris would be considered sporty compared to the W108.

The new Bilsteins felt very nice. And the new bushings took all of the squeak away. And cutting the W108 coil springs made the car much more pleasing to my eye. As for crazy and lop-sided handling? None of that was experienced. I certainly didn't drive it in a way that would test its handling behavior. This car is not meant for that purpose.

With the lowered springs the W108 looks sleek and classy. And without a doubt, it gets more following looks and stares from pedestrians.

Miguel

How much did you cot off from the springs?

[Tony H]

I have to say it again-it's one clean car!