-95 Cabrio spring and ride height problems

[Project2359]

Hi guys,

Long time lurker but now I have a problem which I would need some input, and it seems that the best input would come from here, not from a general Benz forum.

So, I have a 320 Cabrio, -95, and problem is with suspension setup.

I installed this set on last summer:
Shocks: Bilstein B8 Sprint
H&R: 29894-1
Bump stops: A1293230744 (75mm)

On the road, rear suspension was surprisingly smooth and soft, car looked good and balanced, but the front axle was resting on bump stops.
I don’t remember what the pads are, but I doubt new 4 dot pads would have lifted the front enough.

After being fed up with the front (50km or so), I ordered new Sportline front springs:
Spidan 85234
M-B: A1243214104
Length: 375mm
Wire Diameter: 15.8 mm

Now the front does not hit the bump stops, but it is higher even with an empty tank compared to the rear. Also the front is really stiff compared to the rear, which is more like an old buick.

If I ditch the H&R completely, what would be my options?

From this list I saw a new front spring:
Spidan: 85233
M-B: A1243214004
Length: 377mm
Wire Diameter: 15.5 mm
0.3mm difference on wire diameter when compared the ones I have now, I don’t know would that make enough difference. List does not give the number of coils.

And also buy new rears:
Spidan 85235
M-B: A 1243243404
Length: 324
Wire Diameter: 15 mm

Or

Buy non-sportline springs and cut them?

I can live with the front ride height and match the rear with it, what bothers me is the stiffness. When I'm comparing the front and the rear, I would not like to believe Bilstein B8's are the problem, but I also might be wrong..

Few pics, 1st with H&R; 2nd as it sits now.

 

[gsxr]

My $0.02... raise the rear to match the front. IMO, the car was too low on the H&R's. Sitting on the bump stops may look cool at the local C&C, and might work on the racetrack, but generally sucks for normal street driving. What is the height as measured from fender lip to wheel center, as shown below?

Keep in mind that the wire diameter, free length, and number of coils all combine to determine spring rate. You can get a rough idea of what will be firmer / softer from the specs in that 124performance spreadsheet but it's not an exact science.

Sticking with the factory combinations is usually a safe bet. Any chance you have a spare set of struts to try in place of the B8's?

For very minor changes in ride height, you can cut 1/4 to 1/2 coil off stock (or Sportline) springs. I only do this as a last resort when an appropriate spring is NLA.

 

[TerryA]

@Project2359,
First pic 1/2 looks good to me. When I lowered my 86-300E with 17” Monoblocks & Eibach Springs looked about the same as your pic 1/2. The change from stock to lowered was IMOP disappointing as far as ride quality and it caused lots of headaches albeit it looked great.

The stock front springs compared to the Eibachs was eye opening. If I remember correctly stocks were about 18” to 20” and the Eibachs about 12” I fiddled with the ride for a long time trying to improve it. Eibach said the stock MB shocks would work great! So I bought all new MB shocks (NOT TRUE).
Next I installed KONI Reds Adjustable front shocks. The ride was a little better but not much. Finally I replaced all of the 225/45-17 tires with 215/50-17 Yokohama tires. The tires helped the most BUT I now had some slight rubs at freeway speeds (70 -80 mph) when I hit a certain type of road dip. I spent a lot of time and money and never was completely satisfied.

PS; I tried cutting a coil off of the stock front springs before installing the Eibachs and it road like a buckboard.

Anyway never again. My 500E remains at stock ride height.

 

[Project2359]

Thank you both for the replies.

Yep, it was nice to look at but terrible to drive. I did measure the distance between lip and wheel center last summer but cannot find the paper anywhere. Car is coming home next week from winter hibernation so I'll update the measurements then.

When I got the car, it had stock suspension, 15" wheels with tires dated 2013.. Still have the wheels, everything else found their way to the junkyard. So no luck with the spare struts either. Been hobbying this so that if something is removed, it will be replaced with a new part.

I think I'll order new springs front and rear, check the pad heights and hope that A1243214004's are tad softer.

If I remember correctly H&R's weren't any shorter than the sportline springs, they are just really soft.

I'll report my findings after the job is done, maybe someone else will find this info useful as well.

 

[northNH]

On my ‘92 CE coupe I changed out the stock setup for 4 (correct) Sportline springs, B6 Bilsteins, Cabrio Sportline front ASB, 500E rear ASB, sedan Sportline steering box, and 16” wheels with 215/55 Michelins.
Fiddled a bit with spring pads, and ended up perfect for me.

 

[Eno]

Two quick things come into my mind:
1. Are the H&R sport springs correct for the Cabrio?
2. Have you adjusted the leveling valve on both rear lower control arms?

 

[gsxr]

H&R has a "one size fits most, sort of" fitment for most 124 chassis - the 036 is a lone exception, IIRC. I'd be surprised if they had cabrio-specific springs that were also specific to a certain engine. The factory Sportline springs vary based on engine and optional equipment, which is why there are a dozen different part numbers vs H&R's handful.

 

[Project2359]

H&R really has one fits for all approach, same kit goes for all cabriolets. Mine is M104 imported from Canada, so it has AC, Smog, electric seats etc., so it is heavy compared to cars with M111.

Mine has dumb suspension, no levelling valves.

 

[Project2359]

Just for the record, cabriolets have only two different Sportline springs:

Front:
M-B: A1243214104
Length: 375mm
Wire Diameter: 15.8 mm

M-B: A1243214004
Length: 377mm
Wire Diameter: 15.5 mm

Rear:
M-B: A1243243304
Length: 333
Wire Diameter: 15.5 mm

M-B: A 1243243404
Length: 324
Wire Diameter: 15 mm

These are offered for both 220 and 320.

 

[Project2359]

Heights for future reference:

Front left 36,0 cm (Sportline A1243214104)
Front right: 35,5 cm (Sportline A1243214104)
Rear left 34,0 cm (H&R from set 29894-1)
Rear right 33,8 cm (H&R from set 29894-1)

Car was at friend's garage from October to Mid-May, and somehow the front felt softer when I drove it home. Go figure.

Anyway, I'll change the rear springs during the next days and see what happens.

 

[Project2359]

After K1, OVP, and multiple smaller things I had time to change the springs. It seems that I got my car back.

Yes with new springs and struts it looks like a Massey Ferguson, but it gives a good ride.

In the rear it has pads with 2 dots, and front I suppose has 1. I'll check it later, maybe next week.

Heights:
FL 36,2cm / 14.25" (Sportline A1243214104)
FR: 35,8cm / 14.10" (Sportline A1243214104)
LR 36,8cm / 14.50" (Sportline A1243243404)
RR 36,3cm / 14.30" (Sportline A1243243404)

Next step is to figure out why steering is stiff. Might be the lower ball joints.

 

[doolar]

They were really high set, all the 124’s, here’s a picture from back when they were new:

 

[doolar]

 

[gsxr]

Yes with new springs and struts it looks like a Massey Ferguson, but it gives a good ride. In the rear it has pads with 2 dots, and front I suppose has 1. I'll check it later, maybe next week.

Heights:
FL 36,2cm / 14.25" (Sportline A1243214104)
FR: 35,8cm / 14.10" (Sportline A1243214104)
LR 36,8cm / 14.50" (Sportline A1243243404)
RR 36,3cm / 14.30" (Sportline A1243243404)

Front height is about perfect. Much lower and it will be sitting on the bump stops. Rear isn't bad, you could change to the 1-bump rear pad and it might be about level front to rear.

 

[Project2359]

Yep, I might to change the pad in the rear when I do the bushings and control arms.
Overall starting to feel like a car again. Might start a thread about its journey so far.

Fortunately the situation is not as bad as it's on the doolar's picture. This is with an empty tank.

 

[gsxr]

Fortunately the situation is not as bad as it's on the doolar's picture. This is with an empty tank.

View attachment 214293

Eyeballing that... it looks about perfect. I wouldn't go any lower!!