Rear ride height pics-too low?
 

I seem to think that my rear end on the 1982 300sd is too low. Can you give an opinion?

I have 254,000 miles and assume that the rear shocks, subframe bushings and the rear differential mount have never been changed. It looks low to me. Here are some pics.

I have read every post I can find on the HD Bilstein versus the comfort ride for the rear. I am leaning toward the original comfort ride - but give me your advice. I like the cushy ride, but when I corner hard at high speed, it feels mushy - not firm to me. My wife's 2002 honda accord is super tight in cornering hard. But for a big car, the 300sd takes tight corners at high speed pretty well!

When I shift from Park or Neutral to Drive, she does "hunker down." I am guessing at least an inch or two. Don't have anyone to assist me in measuring hunker down effect with same yard stick.

I would say that you are riding too low, I believe the car should look pretty much level from the side.

The shop manual does not provide rear height information, instead it provides specs for measuring the relative position of different suspension components using a special gauge.

Assuming new springs the height is adjusted with the use of rubber spacers. I have read that as much as 3/4" of ride height can be lost through bad subframe mounts, and this is a project I plan to tackle on my car soon.

Kevin

"When I shift from Park or Neutral to Drive, she does "hunker down." I am guessing at least an inch or two. Don't have anyone to assist me in measuring hunker down effect with same yard stick."

- Same thing was happening with our 190E. For example if shifting from P to D, it would "honker down" Basically in our car the susp. was shot.

NOw in our 95 E300D, this does not happen.

easy fix first
 

from what i hear all the rubber you metioned really should be replaced.
my sdl was really sagging. so far i have only replaced the rear differential mount. seemed to do the trick. my tires were wearing the inside edge off before. so far tire wear is not a problem. i still have the subframe bushings sitting in the box. i also went with a cheap pair of gas shocks. little bouncy on one bridge but fine none the less.

the easiest fix would be to do just the rear dif mount/shocks. both easy jobs.
i plan on doing the subframe mounts this summer.

does look too low. Mine isn't like that