I have a 300SEL the left rear tire is sunk well into the wheel well. What holds the the body up the shocks or the springs I took the car to two different shops one says it needs new springs another says shocks.

Thanks

Well the spring holds the weight of the car - the shock provides damping...

But to help with the "real" problem can you answer the following:-

Does your car have self leveling suspension?
What is the model / year of your car?
Can you assess the condition of the rubber parts on the rear suspension?
Is there any rust or accident damage?
Have you got any pictures?

__________________
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!

If it has SLS it could be the shock OR spring, if not it's the spring.

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Although if the shock is that low, probably it would have puked oil out all over the place (you would notice it) and I think that both sides would then be low.

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

I've heard of people installing new shocks and their ride height goes up.
Saggy springs will also have the same effect.

So I think it will take a bit of investigating to find out for sure

__________________
Smoke Silver 1994 E220 Coupe Automatic
0 kilometers 6 September 1994
100,635 kilometers - 6 September 2010

Springs cause sag & shocks do NOT!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

What year is this car?

300SEL
W109.015
Years: 1965-1967
M189.988

300SEL
W109.016
Years: 1968-1971
M130.981

300SEL 6.3
W109.018
Years: 1969-1971
M100.981

300SEL 3.5
W109.056
Years: 1969-1972
M116.981

300SEL 4.5
W109.057
Years: 1971-1973
M117.981


300SEL
W126.025
Years: 1988-1991
M103.981


.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/