As Robert will find out, replacing spring rubbers is as much labor as replacing springs.

I would double check the number of the spring that was used on the front. The 300SD is the only 126 body that uses that particular spring. Its # is 126 351 18 04. All other pre 1986 models use 126 321 17 04. The rear springs are all the same.

In Roberts case I would definitely put the lowest spring shim in place of what is installed (if the springs are right). The smallest shim # 126 321 07 84 is 8mm the largest is 23mm.

BTW springs will not settle and should be properly placed in the molded plate with the end exactly where its supposed to be. If not you will have ride height problems and noises. Also the spring will not sit with the proper curvature to miss the body and will deform differently on compression making the car ride wrong.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician