Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I've read that because the 4-speed gearbox swap is so much lighter than the automatic that my 300CD came with, the front end is unloaded a bit, popping it up. It would stand to reason then, that a set of decent 240D springs on the front would bring it back down, correct?

I realize that the other, free alternative is to cut the springs, but I'm not sure how much I want to do that. And the nice, H&R springs seem Euro-market only.

So before I go placing a WTB ad on the board, can I get some confirmation that the 240 springs will work properly?

Eat some more pasta, that should fix the problem in a few months

Considering the winter weight I put on over the holidays...hasn't seemed to help.

all of my front end parts being warn out caused the front wheels to be slightly pointing towards each other and pushed the front of my car up. it also rode and handled awful like this. but since you have a trans swap, that may make a difference.

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83 300CD- sanden, dual p/f condensers, 160a alternator, ect
91 300TD- 722.6, #22 head, 3.5L IP, w140 manifolds, ect

The Factory Service Manual has a section (32-220) on matching springs to cars, with a tables for the different options like auto trans, ACC, sunroof, etc. which add weight.

In general, yes 240 springs are probably correct. There is also a spring pad on top of the spring, available in different thicknesses.

Check out the price of new springs vs. the time/cost of getting them used. I once spent an entire day removing a set of front springs from a junked car, only to find later that a set of new springs was about $70 (this was in ~2002).

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

A set of new springs for the front or rear is under $150 for my 'SD. I would definitely go with new, and maybe just replace all four while you're at it. It can make a huge difference, and you won't necessarily realize beforehand that you need it.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

240 springs will work, but it will give you a softer ride. Handling characteristics will change also with the softer springs.

If you want to keep performance the same and are currently running a 3 burl spring pad, you could try to change it to 1 burl to see if it will drop it down.

Or if you want a slightly firmer ride, you can cut down your existing springs by a coil or a coil and a half.

.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

To be honest, I don't know how the car is "supposed" to ride--this is my first Mercedes. Coming from a hard-sprung slot car, I appreciate a softer ride and I'm not worried about whether or not my CD can handle.
But I was under the impression that new springs would be expensive...is there a good/inexpensive place to buy new springs?

Also, I'm using an '83 TD engine with a turbo, but no cruise control or A/C...I imagine that makes a difference too.

Winston, I put a 4-spd in our 85 300D, and had the same problem, front end came up. This causes a problem driving on the highway, the front end wanders. When it comes up from the weight difference, I think it throws out the geometry of the steering.

Right after I did the swap we drove to Portland, Or. a good 750 mile drive. was an interesting drive, kind of like in a cross wind sort of. Went to see family, but the main was the GTG out at Mc Minville and the Spruce Goose.
Look at the third picture in the following link, you will see how high ours sits compared to the others on each side.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/2227118-post103.html

When we got back home I sourced a set of 240D springs, that dropped her down and she sits lower and ride good, but a little soft when on a mt. road.

I read to throw in a front Sway Bar (Torsion Bar) from a 300TD Wagon. they are a couple MM thicker and will stiffin up the front end. I pulled one a PNP, stripped it down and gave it a shot of POR. Bought new TD Bushings for the mounts and finally got it in. have the engine out so makes it real easy. Don`t have it together yet, so can`t give you a final report.

Here is a thread showing the difference in sizes.

Big front sway bar


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

Glad to see it's not just me, Charlie! And yes, mind is not so subtly higher, just like yours. I also noticed the wandering on the highway, but I was chalking that up to a bad steering damper.

Okay, so I'll dig up some 240 springs and enjoy the softer ride. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the swaybar resource.