front end won't drop!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

signalredcoupe · #1 01-02-2007, 12:02 AM

Upon installing the engine on my coupe, the suspension will not drop from full up position. There's nothing binding, the shocks are not locked. I've rolled the car back & forth also. I can get it to move down some by me bouncing on the front, but I can't believe that the rest of the stuff that has to be installed weighs that much. I've left the upper & lower control arm bolts loose also, so that can't be it. Has anybody ever had this happen to them? I've dropped engines into large Fords & they've responded normally. The only thing I should add is that the front springs are from my now gone 240D, but that car has a lighter engine with no turbo, so I would think the car would sit even lower right? Any info appreciated. Paul.

JimmyL · #2 01-02-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signalredcoupe

Upon installing the engine on my coupe, the suspension will not drop from full up position.

The only thing I should add is that the front springs are from my now gone 240D, but that car has a lighter engine with no turbo, so I would think the car would sit even lower right? Any info appreciated. Paul.

If I understand, you replaced both the engine AND at the same time the front springs from the 240 right?
Only solution is the 240 springs have less sag than the ones that were in there. Unless you also replaced the spring pads too, and they were the thicker style than what the coupe had.

signalredcoupe · #3 01-02-2007, 09:15 AM

I had to replace the springs. The ones on the coupe were snapped near the top. The engine is the original. When the springs were in the 240D it sat normal. This car sits as though there's no engine in it. I still have to add the hood, transmission, radiator, a/c compressor, alternator & turbo. I know all this weighs, but with me bouncing on the front bumper, it won't hardly budge. It should have dropped al least an inch or two with the engine just sitting in it-right? Doesn't make much sense to me, Thanks, Paul.

vstech · #4 01-02-2007, 10:52 AM

it sounds like you have something binding there... get under there and look at all the suspension parts... maybe you lost a ratchet?
John

Brian Carlton · #5 01-02-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signalredcoupe

I had to replace the springs. The ones on the coupe were snapped near the top. The engine is the original. When the springs were in the 240D it sat normal. This car sits as though there's no engine in it. I still have to add the hood, transmission, radiator, a/c compressor, alternator & turbo. I know all this weighs, but with me bouncing on the front bumper, it won't hardly budge. It should have dropped al least an inch or two with the engine just sitting in it-right? Doesn't make much sense to me, Thanks, Paul.

All those items add up. When you get them all in place, the vehicle will come down a bit. After you drive it for a month or two, the springs will settle down close to the normal position. All W123's and W126's tend to sit with some extra space above the front wheels and this is to be considered typical.

I doubt that anything is binding.

Johnhef · #6 01-02-2007, 11:47 AM

how bout a picture so we can see what you're talking about?

Stevo · #7 01-02-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

All those items add up. When you get them all in place, the vehicle will come down a bit. After you drive it for a month or two, the springs will settle down close to the normal position. .

Roger that...Just wait a while, It'l settle back down.

TheDon · #8 01-02-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

All W123's and W126's tend to sit with some extra space above the front wheels and this is to be considered typical.

I hate that huge fender gap. Already waiting for my new springs from vogtland.. or when ever thats happening.

Brian Carlton · #9 01-02-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I hate that huge fender gap. Already waiting for my new springs from vogtland.. or when ever thats happening.

I never could figure that out. The front suspension appears to be at the very upper limit of the shock. The wheel cannot rebound more than about 2" or so from the stock position. But, it can compress about 5"??

Seems that cutting the spring to lower the vehicle by 1" would be beneficial all the way around. I'm probably going to try this with the SD.

TheDon · #10 01-02-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Seems that cutting the spring to lower the vehicle by 1" would be beneficial all the way around. I'm probably going to try this with the SD.

Low 'n slow is the way to go

Johnhef · #11 01-02-2007, 07:57 PM

I never liked it either. One of the first things I did was nip the springs and replace the spring pads.

bgkast · #12 01-02-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signalredcoupe

I had to replace the springs. The ones on the coupe were snapped near the top. The engine is the original. When the springs were in the 240D it sat normal. This car sits as though there's no engine in it. I still have to add the hood, transmission, radiator, a/c compressor, alternator & turbo. I know all this weighs, but with me bouncing on the front bumper, it won't hardly budge. It should have dropped al least an inch or two with the engine just sitting in it-right? Doesn't make much sense to me, Thanks, Paul.

That's likely the problem. That weight will bring it back down.

TheDon · #13 01-02-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

I never liked it either. One of the first things I did was nip the springs and replace the spring pads.

how much lower are you sitting? Im looking for an even drop with no rake in the rear.. I hate rake

signalredcoupe · #14 01-02-2007, 11:20 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll see if I can get a picture up tomorrow. I know the transmission alone weighs close to what I do, but it's further back. I'm bouncing on the very front & hardly any movement. I've rechecked & there's nothing there to bind anything. Hoping for what Brian says about it just settling in. Still quite a bit of stuff to install. Maybe I never realized just how high the front sat in the first place. I'm used to those big American boats that sit an inch or two front bottom-out. Thanks again, Paul.

PatricdeBoer · #15 01-03-2007, 12:24 AM

Are the springs rotated all the way to the stops in the spring tray on the control arm?