I am considering some towing and want to be able to keep the rear end up.
Any suggestions?

__________________

Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

I don't know about bearing load limitations etc., but you might consider airbags in the springs.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Shockwaves.. an air strut with a spring.. mighty expensive by themselves.

Where would I find airbags for the springs?

__________________

Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

Check Firestone's website, they make them. The kits are common on Land Rover and Toyota Land Cruisers for additional clearance or towing capacity for example, might also search one of their forums. Careful on Land Rover forums, the Rangie came standard with air suspension so it will show up in many searches.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I was thinking about putting in air shocks, but I've decided against it, for now anyway.

I did find a supplier. Here's a cut and paste of the e-mail they sent me along with their contact info. I hope this helps.

We can furnish Custom-Fit Monroe Air shocks to fit the rear of your 81
Mercedes 300SD...
...$128.00 PAIR
...FREE Air Line kit
...WE PAY POSTAGE to the USA 48. >>>

>>> These are CUSTOM-FIT Air Shocks and must be ordered at the
following location. >

Http://www.shockshopusa.com

1...Click on ORDER/QUEST and fill in Order FORM.
2...Call 740-345-8949 with your CC Info.

Thanks
Bill Kesterson
Cindy 740-345-8949

__________________
Pictures of the MB: http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/EricandRobyn/1981%20Mercedes/

1981 300 SD with a Goldenrod water block and Injetor line heaters. EGR is missing

1999 F-350 with HP X-over, Dahl 100 Fuel Filter, Coolant by-pass filter, CCV mod, Tymar intake.

Both on single tank WVO blend

I went on a trip with my two sons and a fully loaded car out west. I knew the rear would be under extra load and the '95 124 E300D has a low profile stock as it is.
I inserted two hard 3/8" bolts and a nut on both sides of the lower rungs of the rear spring.
What I did was grind a nice groove across the bolt with a grinder on the head and screwed a nut on the other flush with the end of the bolt. If it's a bit tight to insert just grind the nut down a little until it fits easier between the spring rungs.
I believe I used 3/4 or 1" - 8 hardness bolt just slightly larger than the spring spacing with the rear end of the car raised up with a floor jack. I used a long metal pry bar or other 3/8" or 1/2" metal rod just enough to allow space for the bolt to pop in between the springs. It will sit there tight with a modest groove in either end of the bolt.
At the last I sprayed Ziebart over the bolt and spring to eliminate any possible rust when the paint is scratched off the spring.
This technique brought the rear end up to stock height and rode excellent on the freeway without bottoming on shock bumpers.
When I returned home I removed 1 bolt spacer in and left the other bolt on the car. One bolt spacer helps greatly with passengers or a trunk full.
I do not notice any ride difference.
PS, I did use air bags in my Olds Custom Cruiser Wagon springs and without any air it rode like a truck. I cut them out immediately.

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'96 C220 138,000mi, '95 E300D 239,000 mi., '87 300TD 214,000mi '88 6.2 Turbo Diesel Chevy Conversion Van 253,000 mi.