I know that this is not a diesel-specific query but figured that the w123 experts would be here.

My 1981 300TD wagon sits too high in the front. It has the original springs as far as I know and the rubber spring pads appear to be the thinnest version, based on dimple count. I've had the front end completely apart once because everything was severely shot when I bought it, I used some good lower control arms off of a 240d parts car but kept my OG springs. I can't for the life of me figure out what in the heck is going on...any advice is appreciated.

Looks like this:

OK, I can't upload a photo for some reason even after resizing it to the supposed requirements. It would be a huge improvement if this board could run on same software as Pelican, and we'd have a lot more photos to look at.

The front fender is about an inch higher than it should be and it's screwing up the level of the car.

Why not just raise the rear to match the front?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

For one thing, it causes positive camber in the rear if the SLS raises it enough to match the front. That is sort of undesirable in that it can cause you to go sailing off a mountain road in a turn and die in what is essentially a plane crash. Sort of like running around on the outside edges of your feet.

Plus it looks like schit, IMO. I'd love to lower the car an inch from stock so it does not look like something that belongs in a farmer's field.

Let me know what caused this because I want to raise mine an inch!

I just put 205-75/14 tires on to raise it a bit and lower engine rpm. I like the look so much that I might swap out the two-tab spring pads for four-tabs. I think I'm going for the old AMC Eagle look. Ha!

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83 300TD, 260,000 miles, aka "Dusty"
6 vehicles, 2 cup holders (both in the dump truck)

The difference between the thickest and thinnest rubber spring pad is a whopping 15 mm, or about a 1/4". That is not going to change things mucho.

Farmer's field is exactly what I am looking for! 15mm is actually between 9/16 and 5/8". I understand that the suspension geometry will almost double that distance out at the wheels. So I hear it will go up by about one inch. Thanks for the headsup on SLS camber.

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83 300TD, 260,000 miles, aka "Dusty"
6 vehicles, 2 cup holders (both in the dump truck)

I had this exact issue you are talking about. I did a manual transmission swap and that dropped about 150# or so from the front. I hated the way it looked, so I sourced some springs from a W123 240D that had a manny tranny as well. It dropped it about an inch and half, and looks a lot better in my opinion. I have gotten many comments from fellow W123 owners on how nicely the car sits, without them knows that I swapped the springs.

I suggest it.

This is how we sat before. I unfortunately don’t have a decent picture of how it sits now.

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1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

I did the same thing, swapped in a 4-spd and the front came up. replaced the front springs with 240D springs, and lowered it down, and looks good, but is a little soft on mt. roads. so replaced the front Tortion Bar from a 300TD. (2mm thicker) haven`t driven it yet, the engine is out.

You already have the TD Tortion bar, so nothing to replace. how does it handle now compared to the original springs?
Mine wondered on the Hwy. was an interesting trip driving the 700 miles to Portland, Or. and back.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Still a little bit squirrely (er) than i’d like it to be. That is just a personal preference, though I think I can decrease the rolling in turns by trying HD bilstiens.

When I first got the car, the UCA’s worn quite worn, and the car was almost scary to drive on the freeway. When I replaced those it made a big difference in the handling on the freeway.

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1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

I should sell you my springs in that case. I have the thinnest rubber pads and my car sits really high up.

EDIT: this was meant for Marfa.

W123love: That's a great idea. It never occurred to me that each drivetrain combo has different springs. There is an OM617 non-turbo at the junkyard now, I wonder if that would lower it much? Also a gas w123. I wish I knew how to read the paint marks on the springs.

That's in chapter 32-220 in the FSM (and this thread => http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/263591-front-rear-spring-color-codes.html thanks Charlie!)

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I forgot I posted those. once the picture opens. click on it, the hold the CRTL key, roll the mouse wheel and it will expand. at least on my computer it does.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I did check the technical data manual that has the values for spring sizes. Your best bet is to find a w123 with an OM616. The paint markings tell what the rubber spacer sizes are. (I think)

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1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

I knew there was a reason I was saving the springs from the 240's I crushed...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!