Ride Height 126 300SD

[R L Lepper]

I would like to know the ride height Front & Rear of my vehicle. I think it is too low in the rear.

[Brian Carlton]

There's quite a few threads in the archives on this. I wrote a thread on the swap of rear springs for the SDL, a vehicle that's very sensitive to rear ride height.

In summary, the fenderwells in the rear should be about 25.75" off the pavement with 215-65-15 tires. If the vehicle is low, consider the subframe bushings and the differential mount as the first candidates for replacement. Then consider thicker spring pads above the springs.

Realize, however, that when the vehicle is dead level, the openings above the front fenderwells will be about 1.5" more than the openings in the rear fenderwells due to the design of the body. The only way to get the front gap down is to give the vehicle a raked look by reducing the front spring pads, increasing the rear spring pads, or both.

In the case of the SDL, I opted for custom springs that raised the body to 27" at the fenderwells. It's perfect for a decent load in the vehicle, but it looks a bit weird when it's light on fuel and baggage. I'll probably reduce the spring pad thickness when I get the chance.

[pawoSD]

My dad's W126 300SD sits a bit low in the rear even with new springs/shocks/spring pads....the culprit is likely a dying differential mount, which will be replaced very soon, we will see if it raises it up to the proper height. Oddly enough, my own SD has an old decrepit diff mount too, but it sits a lot higher. (identical new springs/shocks/pads) I will be replacing my diff mount soon also when I re-boot my CV axles....

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Oddly enough, my own SD has an old decrepit diff mount too, but it sits a lot higher. (identical new springs/shocks/pads)

I wonder if the parts are identical? The SD, per specs, is to have either a one bump or a two bump spring pad above the front springs. I remove the spring and it's got a four bump pad. It "appears" to be the original part due to it's wear patterns.

Sometimes what you think should be in the vehicle is just not per the specs.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I wonder if the parts are identical? The SD, per specs, is to have either a one bump or a two bump spring pad above the front springs. I remove the spring and it's got a four bump pad. It "appears" to be the original part due to it's wear patterns.

Sometimes what you think should be in the vehicle is just not per the specs.

We replaced the springs/pads/shocks around the same time with the same parts, but mine sits higher than his....

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

We replaced the springs/pads/shocks around the same time with the same parts, but mine sits higher than his....

Can you measure the height from the pavement to the fenderwell on both vehicles, please?

Find very flat surface for this and let me know the tire sizes.