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Old 08-01-2013, 11:33 AM
Bob Weir Bob Weir is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 482
Hi Eric

Here's a few thoughts that might help you regarding your wagon's aka "Estate's" ride height.

"Ride height" = the distance measured from the fender lip to the center of the axel [center of MB star if you have OEM wheels]. Unfortunately, I never found an "official" measurement for the distance. But what is important is a minimal difference from right to left sides, rather than front to back.

All the wagons I have seen appear to have a higher ride height than necessary, [lots of air space from top of tire to fender lip]. The back is higher than the front. If your new sportline front suspension has shorter springs than OEM the back will look noticeably higher.

Of all the SLS adjustment procedures I've read, I'll paraphrase one from "dkveuro" posted 03/31/2007.
1] With vehicle on four post lift and with the engine running.....slacken off the roll bar clamps so the rod /clamp assembly is loose.

2] hang on the rear tow ball or cargo door to pull the vehicle down as far as I can....this does two things...compresses the rams and allows the springs to carry the weight

3] The idea is to get the springs to carry the car rather than the rams, as they will be under pressure if set too high

4] Run the hydraulics through full lift to minimum lift a few times and make an indicator rod to measure maximum and minimum height. Set the suspension so it settles in the middle of the two with adjustments to the clamp.

Do a search and you'll find his entire post as well as many more on "SLS".

Remember, this was designed to be a cargo hauler with self leveling only on the back. Sometimes you have to trade off a little appearance for functionality. Importantly, how well does it handle on the twisty country roads?

Bob
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