W123 lowering springs - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BoostnBenz · #16 06-15-2004, 03:58 PM

I also don't care for the large fender gap but instead of lowering it I think I'll install my new oversized Michelins and let them close the gap and help improve my fuel mileage as well!

JHZR2 · #17 06-15-2004, 04:59 PM

more mileage??? OOOH OOOH, do tell what size???

JMH

wolf_walker · #18 06-15-2004, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JHZR2

There is no way these cars should feel like they are handling lousy at 25 mph (or anything short of a hard corner at 60+), JMH

That's the problem, your driving along at 60mph at night, deer or whatever walks out, you need to dive on the brakes and make a quick lane change, all the car's weight is slung foreward and away from your turning direction. And your slung all over the park bench seat and try and stay in control. Not pretty. w123 is no sports car, sure, but man.

At 45 or lower, there fine, but on the highway really moveing, life can get really interisting really quick. Personaly I try and avoid this kinda thing, but it happens.

I've read that the w123 has such body roll and a smallish rear sway bar for some specific reasons. Anyone else?

And if I'm not mistaken the FSM says the TD's front bar is the same, but the bushings is different, I have yet to locate a "true" TD bushing other than maybe through MB directly. ?

And if MB thought enough of the increase of 1mm in the rear bar size, it must matter to some degree I'd think..

BoostnBenz · #19 06-15-2004, 11:50 PM

I don't recall what the size is off hand, I'd have to go look. They are minutely wider, mainly a taller sidewall. By adding width the mileage would actually decrease where as by adding sidewall the mileage will improve slightly (will also add speedometer error).

jbhebert · #20 06-20-2004, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wolf_walker
...

And if I'm not mistaken the FSM says the TD's front bar is the same, but the bushings is different, I have yet to locate a "true" TD bushing other than maybe through MB directly. ?

And if MB thought enough of the increase of 1mm in the rear bar size, it must matter to some degree I'd think..

I'm pretty sure the TD bushing doesn't have the extra holes around the sway bar that allow more "give".

BF_JC230 · #21 06-21-2004, 12:05 AM

you need equipment for the long w123...that will give you a larger swaybar, front and rear...the early front bushing only has 4 holes...the rear bar is larger on the t...but still very small....

i am not sure what you would need to upgrade also in the front if you used the long swaybar...new bushings, whole upper control arm...the rear would need new bushings,holders,caps,ect...

the fsm has the info...
Jake

leathermang · #22 06-21-2004, 08:03 AM

"the long swaybar... " ?typo? Did you mean 'large' ?

BF_JC230 · #23 06-21-2004, 10:00 PM

no, i was saying long....

section 32-300
front axle torsion bar

torsion bar part number
123 323 66 65 (1)

diameter
24

rubber mount
123 323 05 85

bore diameter
22 - 0.5

(1) for sedans and coupes

torsion bar part number
123 323 69 65 (2)

diameter
25

rubber mount
123 323 12 85

bore diameter
23

(2)
for sedans long, T-sedans and special vehicles (body made by others)

section 32-310
rear axle torsion bar

torsion bar part number
123 326 44 65 (1)
123 326 45 65 (2)

diameter
13

rubber mount
123 326 20 81
NOTE - INVALID MUST USE 201 PART NUMBER...sorry i dont have it handy right now....thats what i got from the local dealer.

bore diameter
11.5- 0.5

(1) without level control
(2) with level control only....replacement for 123 326 45 65 (thats not a typo...)

torsion bar part number
123 326 46 65 (3)

diameter
15

rubber mount
123 326 21 81

bore diameter
13.5

(3) ONLY special vehicles (special body) and T -sedans special version with higher additional load (permissible rear axle load...1295/1300 kg.

so long and T-sedans have larger equipment...
i still dont know about the front upper control arm equipment needs....rear end needs - clamps, links...could read some more...
Jake

leathermang · #24 06-21-2004, 10:24 PM

"in the front if you used the long swaybar..."
Ok,, so you mean 'used the swaybar for the long version of the 123" ?
The swaybar is the same length.... only thicker and thus stronger....

BF_JC230 · #25 06-21-2004, 10:35 PM

alright, now we are on the same page, im sorry....yes not longer as in a longer sway bar, i was saying for the w123 long body...

but i have not bought or installed any of this equipment
just cleaned and restored the stock ones (bars)...used 4 hole front swaybar bushings...new 201 rear bushings and new clamps, keepers...all parts that could be renewed...

jake

#26 06-22-2004, 11:14 AM

I'm happy with the wheel size, but I want artillery-spoked wheels....

vin · #27 06-22-2004, 12:15 PM

I've seen many 240 and 300d's around. Some look better than others. What I've noticed is that many of the 240d that I have seen seem lower and sleeker and to me it almost makes them look sporty. Very little front wheelwell gap. There is this avocado green 240d around here with matching MB hubcaps on 14 wheels that looks so cool.vin

BoostnBenz · #28 06-22-2004, 01:54 PM

That reminds me, I'll go look at my new tires soon as I'm working on a little thing or two on the benz here soon. They are still on the shelf as my Goodyears don't have a problem with tread, but with the sidewalls.

So I'm just keeping it below 65mph and driving hard on them, I should probably just get rid of them. I've heard some pretty bad stories with people who've had blowouts, doing thousands of dollars of damage to the car as the tire is spinning around ruining the paint.

Palangi · #29 06-22-2004, 03:01 PM

I had sidewall problems with the Goodyears also. My 300D used to eat Goodyars for lunch. I was replacing a tire about every 6 weeks for a while. Warranty was completely worthless. They kept saying that the sidewalls were blowing out due to road hazards. Funny thing was they were blowing out from the inside. Since them I have used Bridgestones and Michelins and have had zero tire problems. I guess I must be driving on better roads according to Goodyear. Not surprising that their stock is in the toilet.

BoostnBenz · #30 06-22-2004, 03:52 PM

Yea basically the same scenario here except for they charged me to rebalance/look at the tires to tell me that the bulges in the sidewall were perfectly acceptable and fine. All they managed to do was mess up my rim's paint, rebalancing didn't help. The tires have maybe 15-20k miles on them tops. Same solution, no more Goodyear for me. The replacements are Michelins.