W108 rear suspension spring

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Hello Peaches,

I have some fresh experience to share regarding the rear suspension. Since I purchased the car three years ago, the rear wheels have always looked odd sitting under the car at an angle. I have always been told that it is normal, but it doesn't look normal to me. Since the car seemed to ride ok I didn't bother looking for a solution.

Last week my in-laws were visiting from Florida. I offered to drive the family to dinner in my Mercedes since it is the largest car. With five large passengers, the car was scraping the pavement. I am pretty sure that Mercedes designed the SEL to carry 1,000 pounds.

My friend Don shared the solution to the sagging old spring. Don drives a 1974 MB 240D. He bought a kit called "Spring Helpers" that came with four pieces, and he only needed two of them. Don installed two of the Spring Helpers on my 1973 W108 and the suspension is riding like new.

I have not tested with five passengers yet, but the wheels are sitting up pretty and the ride smooth and responsive. I have read posts here regarding sagging springs and wheels tucked in like mine. I have not read about Spring Helpers here on the forum so I thought I would share my experience.

I hope this helps some of our friends. It made me very happy.

Jeffrey

[Tony H]

Hi,
It sounds like you have a collapsed compensator. Look at your rear axle right above the differential and see if there is a spring or a large tube about 3" in dia. I would not install spring spacers to correct the problem-It will affect the ride and suspension travel.

[Tomguy]

Indeed, the hydro-pneumatic compensator actually self-levels the suspension, so if with 5 passengers you scraped, either you have a spring and not a compensator that's shot, or you have a shot compensator.

Most people replace the compensator w/a spring, since IF YOU ARE LUCKY you can get a new/rebuilt one for $800. They usually run $1500 when you're lucky enough to find one, but every now and then a super-cheap NOS one pops up on eBay or the like.

[thebenzbar]

That's precisely true... the compensator in my 111 works as it should. Peek underneath and you can visually see if there is a spring, or if there is a compensator there you can check the seals for leaks, to start.
Basically the car's hydropneumatic compensator ensures that the rear sits right and level.

[Petteri K]

Here You can have Your hydropneumatic spring renewed. With a rucksack of dollars..

http://tinyurl.com/ylxlsvw

[xaliscomex]

Spoke to John at mb classic center-orange county. Only 2 (Boge) hydro- pneumatic compensators left and they are reserved for only those vehicles that come in to get restoration service. I own a 1970 280 SEL 2.8 (108.019) and had the same camber problem. Switched from hydro compensator to spring conversion kit. No problems with camber. To be honest the rear of my car sits a little high for my taste.

[Petteri K]

Switched from hydro compensator to spring conversion kit.

Where did You get that?

IŽd buy two kits right away..

[JMela]

http://www.allpartsexpress.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1972-MERCEDES--BENZ---80se--4.5--/--V8--45--0cc--4.5l--Gas--Fi-Rear--End--/--Suspension&yearid=1972%40%401972&makeid=MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&engineid=1194634%40%40280SE+4.5+%2F+V8-4520cc+4.5L+GAS+FI%40%40280SE+4.5&catid=Rear+End+%2F+Suspension%40%40Rear+End+%2F+Suspension&subcatid=Compensator+Spring%2FBracket+Kit@@Compensator+Spring%2FBracket+Kit&mode=PA

All Parts Express (this forum's sponsors) sell it for $188.15 and shipping is free since it's over $100!

[Necrosavant]

mine sags in the back because both my upper and lower spring pads rotted away

[xaliscomex]

It's one thing to have a sagging problem and its another thing to have a camber problem where your tires cave in. I guess a racing wheel chair would be a great example.

[Petteri K]

I cannot open the abovementioned link to AllPartsexpress. Or actually the whole site simply just wonŽt open with Firefox or Safari. Should I buy a PC and start using the Explorer..

[xaliscomex]

Mine is a mac book pro and I use safari. Was able to open the link.

[Necrosavant]

febi makes the kit to change over from the hydraulic unit # 110 586 05 01
fit as a direct replacement in my car with just the spring also though..

[JeffreyNMemphis]

It has been two months since I added the "Spring Helpers". My compensator may have been weak, not completely worn out and needing replacement. I don't know...

What I do know is that I like the way the car is riding now. It feels normal. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to transport 4 large passengers again for the ultimate test.

[JiveTurkey]

Do you know if they make them for the W114? How much did the kit cost? I've been waiting for an update on this one because my W114's ass drags in the mud (or she used to before I started the restoration.