108 chassis 280s front springs 1969

[debenz]

Was wondering if some of you good people could be of assistance in giving me a standard ride height for this model. I have added a bit of weight to the engine bay of my car and the front has dropped to low. If some of you could give measurement from the ground to the centre of the rubber strip on the lower bumper this will help me order the correct lowered springs, thank you all in advance, Guy.

[wbain5280]

What have you added to make the front end too low?

Have you checked the subframe bushings? They may need to be replaced.

[mercmad6.3]

Australia seems to be infested with this craze for lowering W111 and W108's'
I could rant for hours on the folly of lowering a W108 which does nothing for the handling .
The height is set by measuring the angle of the lower control arms to the ground surface . A rule of thumb is to set the chrome trim on the rocker so that it passes through the centre of the hub caps.
I am on the road at the moment but I have the standard factory spring lists at home .I can repost them here if you need them.

[debenz]

Sorry for the lack of info, was trying to be a little vague in hope of not upsetting the purists on the site. The car was lowered in the past (young dumb Aussie, guilty) then was fitted with small block (350 cui) chev, then nitrous. Now, 427 cui small block, supercharged, methanol and just shy of 1000 hp at the tyres. The blower, fuel system, engine bay fuel tank etc are the reason for the extra weight. It is a dedicated race car now, have had this car for ten years and about 4 other benz's in the meantime. I am also a member of the MB club of Queensland. Sorry for the long story, any help appreciated.

[wbain5280]

You'll need stronger springs with a 427.

[debenz]

Yes I know about the subframe bushes, I have refurbished the front crossmember, don't like wobbles at 165mph! I can get heavy duty springs in 2 or 3 inch lower was just trying to figure out which ones to order, think I will go with the 2 inch to be on the safe side, the rear is now a fully adjustable 4 link setup with koni coil overs so I can adjust the rear to suit the front.
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
This was the old setup, now has nearly triple the power.

[mercmad6.3]

you tube didn't work from here but is this Guy? I guessed it must have been a SBC or BBC ,merc V8's are light and the cars sit up in front ...
You could improve your stability especially on the strip by using the 6.3 spacers on the front end ( they go between the mount bush and the chassis ) .
This moves the car up but allows you to run softer springs(W110 4 cylinder springs) to get the front down. Do you want a firmer front end or a stockish ride?
Big toys in Sydney makes the spacers . I dont have a stock W108 handy to measure the front end.
Big Toys Gas Conversions

Franz there, will be able to tell you exactly what you need to use in the way of springs.

[debenz]

Yes it's Guy here, glad you remember me. I need the front to be fairly firm if possible. Had standard chopped springs in it for years but are now to low too low. I guess if standard is centre of hubcaps I can work out a height from there. I can get 2 or 3 inch heavy duty lowered springs of eBay for $250, unless you know of better/cheaper place?? Do you have any 110 or other springs that I could try?? Seem to remember your place being a goldmine of old merc parts:-)

[mercmad6.3]

I have a set here but I need them for my diesel Finny . It has a V8 front end in it now (bigger discs ) and I will be pulling the springs to fit the W110 springs into it .
But,If you need them in a hurry pop in during the week and i'll get them out for you (the front is out of the car ) you can try them and see how it works,I can find more later. .What times will you run with the new engine? I see you doing nines with the SBC..!! i'm down the street from moorooka yamaha still.

[debenz]

Would love to try those front springs if i could, i have this week off work and was trying to get front end done so i can get a wheel allignment done next week (will have a talk to you about who you recomend for that too). If you do get them out shoot me a call or sms and i will come and grab them (0409872024). Am trying to get interior finished this week too. That reminds me, i have a pair of white front seats (w108) with the centre console lower pad thingy that i need to off load, i also have the back seat halves but they have been butchered a bit to fit around my much larger rear wheel tubs. The new engine is still a small block chev but using an aftermarket race block (Dart) i can take it out to 427 cube. It made about 900 rear wheel hp on a really soft tune, low boost so i am hoping for low eights as it is and would love to get a seven out of it when i chase the tune up. Not sure if there is any type of record for a Merc?? Think it was the quickest one in oz with the 9.93?? Might stick some info about my car on The Outlaws of Gruppe B thread???

[mercmad6.3]

No problems. i will give you a yell. It would have to be the fastest merc of any description over the 1/4. One the merc restorers in the US has run over 200mph with a 300SE engine in a lakester. Not bad for a 50 year old six .
So yes, put up some pics and show the Americans what is done down under..LOL!.

[debenz]

Can get new 2 inch lowered springs for $250, tried German wrecking and they want $300 for 40 yo 2nd hand springs :-/ think I might try to get a urathane spring spacer from a 4wd shop for the meantime. I am thinking of making some mounts to put a coil over type shock assy in the standard spring position, has anyone done this or seen it done?? Would save me some weight and give me some much needed adjustment. Anybody in oz got some w108 lower control arms for sale??

[mercmad6.3]

I have both springs and Arms here,I am flat out at the moment to pull them off a front axle but if you want a couple of arms and some springs call in during the week, bring a 19 mm spanner to get them off and they are yours..

German wrecking has gone to pack since Tony sold out.

It would be dead easy to use a pair of coil overs instead of the springs and the shocks . it would mean making something to attach the top up inside the crossmember where the stock spring goes and a mount on the lower arm. it would shave a ton of weight off the car too.

[debenz]

Yes the weight saving would be very beneficial. I will definatly take you up on that. I am having a late start on Tuesday could be at your place @ 11am if that suits or any afternoon after 4pm?? I have just replaced the front subframe mounts with new ones but I am now thinking about making some out of bilit aluminum as well as making the forward/front locator arms with rod ends to really stiffen up the front end. The engine no longer mounts to the xmember so is there really any need to rubber mount it??

[mercmad6.3]

Tuesday morning will be fine. It would be ideal if you mounted your axle tight, it's for smooth riding and the bodies flex a lot normally so it sounds like a great idea.
6.3's have a 25mm spacer between the mount and the body, this raises the car up but the cars are set lower with the airsprings. This lowers the cars center of gravity and improves the handling a lot.
You could do the same with your car,lift the front of the body by fitting long alloy blocks and adjusting the car back down with the shorter springs.
If you replace the two flat springs in the front with adjustable rods you can alter your castor quickly and easily.