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#1
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Silly shock question...
Can shocks be used upside down?
in light duty custom applications??
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RIP: 80 300SD RIP: 79 450SEL 2002 E430 4matic (212,000km) 2002 ML500 'sport' ____________________________ FACEBOOK: PANZER450 |
#2
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I may be wrong, but I don't see why not. Seems to me if it can be safely mounted like that it's no diff than a spring.
-Zach
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1978 240D Auomatic Custom Charcoal Gray, Navy MB tex, kenwood/Elemental/Boston/Aura sound, Shaved antenna and emblems. 1990 Lincoln Town Car, Sleeper/Strip car in progress, 17.75@77mph. |
#3
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Motorcycles, yes, cars no, as there are two mounting points, bolt holes on the lower side, one threaded stud on top.
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83 SD 84 CD |
#4
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Quote:
Well, I wasn't going to tell anyone this, because you'll all think I'm nuts I want air shocks on my mercedes. I plan to lower, and want some adjustability. Munroe produces air shocks for 78-81 Camaros and Trans Ams, and their rear shocks are nothing more than a mercedes shock (in the sense of mounting style) only they have the stud on the bottom and the bolted pin on top. the extended and compressed lengths are the same. and considering that fronts and rear shocks are mounted the same, I think that 4 air shocks (if they can in fact be used upside down) would do a "good enough" job providing me some adjustability so I can go down for highway driving, and up in the city. I think I can actually gain some MPG if I squatted the car down at speed.. and that's what i've been thinking about for the last 36 hours Enjoy!
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RIP: 80 300SD RIP: 79 450SEL 2002 E430 4matic (212,000km) 2002 ML500 'sport' ____________________________ FACEBOOK: PANZER450 |
#5
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Length is not what you need to look for. The shocks go through the springs in the back so overall diameter is the limit.
I've tried it before on my wagon. There is no way you can fit air shocks in the stock location unless you remove the spring and reinstall the spring with the shock inside it. EDIT: On second thought, I'm not sure if the W116's have the shocks going through the springs like the W123/W126 |
#6
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Quote:
going to change rubber spacers anyway so the springs are coming out.
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RIP: 80 300SD RIP: 79 450SEL 2002 E430 4matic (212,000km) 2002 ML500 'sport' ____________________________ FACEBOOK: PANZER450 |
#7
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Quote:
whereas gas shocks, being alot stiffer, don't care whether up is down or down is up, because it's gas.
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RIP: 80 300SD RIP: 79 450SEL 2002 E430 4matic (212,000km) 2002 ML500 'sport' ____________________________ FACEBOOK: PANZER450 |
#8
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Damping and rebound ratios would be reversed of course. Also a quick check with a shock upside down should be done. I wonder how it would work since there is air or gas over the fluid inside .Gravity might have the fluid where it was not supposed to be when needed. Before spending a dime I would contact a shock manufacturer for an opinion. I might easily be all wet here. I also thought gas shocks just had a charge of gas over the oil to stop or reduce foaming of the oil. Compared to just air of course. I could once again be wrong here. Check it out well.
Last edited by barry123400; 05-15-2007 at 04:43 AM. |
#9
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actually damping and rebound would be unaffected since they only know if the shock is being compressed or extended.
this question came back when i was reading circle track magazine and smokey yunick had an advice column. smokey answered as barry did one month and the next month had to correct himself, so don't feel bad.... he was one of the smartest innovaters ever in racing and in oil drilling equipment design. the air shocks will absolutely ruin your ride. imho. are you planning to remove or modify your springs to get it low? if i cant talk you out of this i advise you get an extra set of springs and so forth so that after you try it out you can put it all back stock if you really hate it. from the salvage yard it wont cost much for this safety net. tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#10
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Back in the day, I used to sell and install shocks. Before installing we were told to cycle the shock a few times, making sure it was in the upright position--this was to bleed out the air. I noticed MANY shocks had air in the oil. The first couple of cycles had almost no dampening action. Then they would improve to offer the resistance intended. I would guess that upside-down would not work.
Admitedly, this was in the days before gas-charged shocks were the standard. I don't know if that makes a difference.
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags |
#11
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If the oil and air is isolated by a piston or bladder, then you can mount the shocks upside down. Some shocks can be mounted upside down, some can not.
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Ron Schroeder '85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO '83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980: '83 Mercedes 240D '80 Audi 4000D '83 ISUZU Pup '70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel '76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel '86 Golf Several diesel generators All with 2 tank WVO conversion LI NY |
#12
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It depends on the valving of the shock. Also you will need covers to protect the poloshed shock rod from dirt and dirt collecting inside the protector since it will act like a cup and keep water and dirt from escaping.
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RRGrassi 70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car 13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete. 91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K 90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K |
#13
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Quote:
and I got my hands on one today, and it'll be very easy, infact, the trans am shock when extended is longer by about an inch. The airbag doesn't inflate much bigger than the diameter of a typical coil over shock. however, I will be have to remove the spring to install. As far as the fronts are concerned, it gets a little tight up at the top with a stock shock, but with the air's upside down, the minor diameter is going to be at the top and it's smaller than an OE billstien.
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RIP: 80 300SD RIP: 79 450SEL 2002 E430 4matic (212,000km) 2002 ML500 'sport' ____________________________ FACEBOOK: PANZER450 |
#14
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I have done this on my 1981 300D
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Hello All I also figured out the older style camaro and firebird shocks where the same as the Mercedes ones, only upside down. And I tried some Monroe air shocks on the back of my 1981 300D 123 body. I enlarged the access holes behind the rear seat to get the shocks inside the springs. I have a problem with the diameter of the shock being too large. The air fitting that comes off the side of the shock keeps hitting the inside of the spring. Which cuts the air line and the shock looses pressure. Also I do not like the ride of the car with the shocks. I have to have pretty high air pressure in the shocks for them to work. This jacks the rear of the car up severely, to the point of changing the rear alignment. The ride is very bouncy with lower air pressure in the shocks. I think I will be changing back to bilstien shocks. But I sure can hall a heavy load on the trailer with the air shocks. Just my experience, your mileage may vary. Thank You RichC Still not right after all these pills !
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. Jimi Hendrix |
#15
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Panzer,
Best to ask the manufacturer. THey usually know the most about their products. P E H |
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