Ride Height

[Leon_V]

Hi everyone,

I just replaced the struts front & rear struts as well as the bushings and all the links on my 1994 e420. My front ride height is 15 3/8 and back is 16. The car appears higher off of the ground. No change to springs. I had an alignment as well changed the front and rear sway bar bushings. Again all rear links (multi-link) as well as the front inner & outer tie rods. Is this within spec? Please let me know either way.

Regards,

Leon

 

[gsxr]

That's taller than normal; assuming you are measuring from wheel center to fender lip, and that it's a USA-spec car. Normal is mid/upper 14's, approximately.

I'd check the spring part numbers first to see if a previous owner had replaced them. You can probably read the number off the bottom coil of the front springs, but the rears are really difficult to see without removing, unless you have a borescope (~$25 on Amazon), and even then there's no guarantee the number isn't facing towards the LCA pocket.

Any chance the rear links were replaced and tightened with the car in the air / suspension extended?

BTW, that looks like Canyon Brown (Rosewood) paint? Nice color! Pretty rare too.

 

[Leon_V]

I'm going to take it back to the MB dealership for them to inspect then. I paid a small fortune to have it done

 

[Leon_V]

Yes, no doubt the work was done right, but probably tightened in the air. Either way, they will have to figure it out to correct it

 

[gsxr]

Photo attached below. These are two of our E420 with stock springs, both have 16" wheels but that doesn't affect ride height. As measured from wheel center to fender lip, heights are:

Silver = 14.25" front, 14.75" rear, full tank. 3pt front spring pad, 1pt rear pad. Red stripe (short) front spring, blue stripe rear (tall).​

Black = 14.5" front, 14.5" rear, full tank. 3pt front spring pad, 1pt rear pad. Not sure about spring stripe colors.​

Both cars had used dampers, new front struts can increase front ride height ~1/4" to 1/2" vs old ones. Rear height will vary ~1/2 inch between full tank and empty tank but new vs old rear shocks does not affect the height.

Springs should be 124-321-39-04 front and 124-324-12-04 rear. Spring pads will vary with color stripe, EPC says 1-pt pad with blue/tall springs, 2-pt pad with red/short springs, front & rear.

Have any photos from BEFORE they did the work? They'll probably claim it's normal or "within spec".

 

[Kyiv]

Silver = 14.25" front, 14.75" rear

These are my measurements as well, with 4/5 fuel in the tank. My springs, pads, struts, dampers and other links are all factory spec and fresh

 

[sheward]

If you are within the distance to do so I and others recommend taking your W124 to Motorwerks in Commerce. They are very experienced with our cars.

Motorwerks - Commerce Township, MI

Specialties: Motorwerks Luxury Vehicle Center specializes in vehicle repairs, high-performance work, collision and restoration work, wheel and tire services, detailing services, and vehicle sales. Our service center specializes in Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, VW, and many more luxury...

www.yelp.com

drew

 

[maw1124]

Satish takes care of a 1/2 dozen or so E5E, in addition to his own. I was over there last week for service on another car, and we were laughing about how all of them have a couple hundred thousand miles on them. These W124 eat mileage better than any other car I've seen thus far. I guess that's why they were taxis. But yes if you're in SE Michigan, then yes Motorwerks it is. GL.

maw

 

[Leon_V]

Photo attached below. These are two of our E420 with stock springs, both have 16" wheels but that doesn't affect ride height. As measured from wheel center to fender lip, heights are:

Silver = 14.25" front, 14.75" rear, full tank. 3pt front spring pad, 1pt rear pad. Red stripe (short) front spring, blue stripe rear (tall).​

Black = 14.5" front, 14.5" rear, full tank. 3pt front spring pad, 1pt rear pad. Not sure about spring stripe colors.​

Both cars had used dampers, new front struts can increase front ride height ~1/4" to 1/2" vs old ones. Rear height will vary ~1/2 inch between full tank and empty tank but new vs old rear shocks does not affect the height.

Springs should be 124-321-39-04 front and 124-324-12-04 rear. Spring pads will vary with color stripe, EPC says 1-pt pad with blue/tall springs, 2-pt pad with red/short springs, front & rear.

Have any photos from BEFORE they did the work? They'll probably claim it's normal or "within spec".

They ordered part number 124-320-66-30. NOT 124-320-63-30!! There is difference. I believe the superseded part (6630) has made the car stretch to the top. If they can't order 6330 where do you recommend getting the struts/shocks?

Thank you for all your help! I greatly appreciate it!

 

[gsxr]

#66 was superceded by #63 but either one is correct for the 124.034 chassis, EPC screenshot below.

This shouldn't make THAT much difference in height though. It's your rear height that appears further out of spec from the photo.

Did you double-check the measurements again on a flat surface? Was any other work done up front besides the new struts / mounts / hardware?

 

[Leon_V]

#66 was superceded by #63 but either one is correct for the 124.034 chassis, EPC screenshot below.

This shouldn't make THAT much difference in height though. It's your rear height that appears further out of spec from the photo.

Did you double-check the measurements again on a flat surface? Was any other work done up front besides the new struts / mounts / hardware?

View attachment 139252

All the multi-links for the rear. Brake fluid flush and replace brake fluid lines. New tires up front. Inner and outer tie rods. Front struts and rear struts. Rear sway bar links and bushings. Front sway bar bushings

 

[Kyiv]

They ordered part number 124-320-66-30. NOT 124-320-63-30!! There is difference. I believe the superseded part (6630) has made the car stretch to the top. If they can't order 6330 where do you recommend getting the struts/shocks?

Thank you for all your help! I greatly appreciate it!

What spring pad part numbers for front and rear springs are on the work order? Therea are several pads of different thickness and should be matched to the color codes on the springs. If you take a picture of color marking on each front and rear springs, we can help you then determine if the installed spring pads are of a correct thickness... Unless the springs were not replaced at the dealer?

 

[Leon_V]

All the multi-links for the rear. Brake fluid flush and replace brake fluid lines. New tires up front. Inner and outer tie rods. Front struts and rear struts. Rear sway bar links and bushings. Front sway bar bushings

Also, inner and outer tie rods

 

[gsxr]

Also, inner and outer tie rods

OK - tie rods wouldn't affect height either.

If springs or pads were touched, those would also need to be checked.

 

[TerryA]

Hi everyone,

I just replaced the struts front & rear struts as well as the bushings and all the links on my 1994 e420. My front ride height is 15 3/8 and back is 16. The car appears higher off of the ground. No change to springs. I had an alignment as well changed the front and rear sway bar bushings. Again all rear links (multi-link) as well as the front inner & outer tie rods. Is this within spec? Please let me know either way.

Regards,

Leon

@Leon_V, The sway bar bushings can affect the ride height if tightened before the car is set on the ground. The car has to settle on it’s own weight first and then the new sway bar bushings can be tightened. Have the dealer check them. Maybe an uneducated Tech didn’t know better.

 

[Leon_V]

That's taller than normal; assuming you are measuring from wheel center to fender lip, and that it's a USA-spec car. Normal is mid/upper 14's, approximately.

I'd check the spring part numbers first to see if a previous owner had replaced them. You can probably read the number off the bottom coil of the front springs, but the rears are really difficult to see without removing, unless you have a borescope (~$25 on Amazon), and even then there's no guarantee the number isn't facing towards the LCA pocket.

Any chance the rear links were replaced and tightened with the car in the air / suspension extended?

BTW, that looks like Canyon Brown (Rosewood) paint? Nice color! Pretty rare too.

Hi,

I'm still trying to find the actual front shocks from either Bilstein or Sachs. Can you provide the part number for this? Please let me know either way. I've searched the entire Web looking for new replacements - OEM

Thank you,

Leon

 

[gsxr]

Hi,

I'm still trying to find the actual front shocks from either Bilstein or Sachs. Can you provide the part number for this? Please let me know either way. I've searched the entire Web looking for new replacements - OEM

Front struts from Bilstein or Sachs would be aftermarket, not OE. And there are different versions (Comfort, HD, Sport, etc). If you have new OE/Genuine struts installed (124-320-66-30) those are correct, and I'd leave them alone - they are probably not responsible for the abnormal ride height.

You really need to identify the coil springs & spring pads currently installed, as a starting point.

 

[Leon_V]

Just got the car back with the following measurements with 3/4 full tank...

Front Driver Side -- 14 3/4

Front Passenger Side 14 1/2

Rear Driver Side 15 1/2

Rear Passenger Side 15 5/8

What are everyone's thoughts? I still feel like the back is too high

 

[sheward]

I agree. As Dave said, check what springs and pads you have installed. They just can not be correct.
Very nice looking 034.

drew

 

[Leon_V]

Both spring and pads were not touched

 

[maw1124]

Both spring and pads were not touched

Who are you having work on the car?

maw

 

[Leon_V]

Mercedes-Benz - Dealership

 

[Leon_V]

With these current numbers, will the car "settle" after some time?

Front Driver Side -- 14 3/4

Front Passenger Side 14 1/2

Rear Driver Side 15 1/2

Rear Passenger Side 15 5/8

 

[Kyiv]

You're only 3/4 of inch higher in the rear than mine and gsxr's cars. How many miles has the car been driven since the job was done?

 

[Leon_V]

50 miles or so

 

[Kyiv]

With these current numbers, will the car "settle" after some time?

When I replaced rear suspension links I also replaced rear springs and pads at the same time. In my case the height settled after a while.

 

[Kyiv]

50 miles or so

Does it handle normaly with rear feeling nice and tight? Amy strange noises?

 

[Leon_V]

Ok. Thank you. I can wait and see how it goes. My assumption is that there needs to be a break-in period as well. When they replaced all the multi-links as well I am sure that this raised the car somewhat, along with the new sway bar bushings and links, too

 

[Leon_V]

Does it handle normaly with rear feeling nice and tight? Amy strange noises?

It drives nice and tight. No issues with that. It feels some what tight in the steering, but, I am assuming this is from the new tie-rods on both sides as well as an alignment

 

[gsxr]

Just got the car back with the following measurements with 3/4 full tank...

Front Driver Side -- 14 3/4, Front Passenger Side 14 1/2
Rear Driver Side 15 1/2, Rear Passenger Side 15 5/8

What are everyone's thoughts? I still feel like the back is too high

Those front measurements are normal for a stock E420 with new struts. It will gradually sink lower (like, 1/16" per year) over several years as the strut pressure lessens (again, this is normal).

The rear is still higher than normal. Some 034's were built with different (taller) rear springs; our 1994 happened to have these, but that was still only 15" with a full tank, and you are 1/2" above that. I didn't figure out it had different springs until I removed them and read the part number off the lower coil. On that car I installed the "normal" #12 rear spring for the 034, which dropped the rear down to about 14-5/8" with a full tank, very close to the front measurement. Every other 034 that I've owned from 1992-1995 has had the usual #12 springs. I don't know why one car came with #21. Maybe the assembly line person had a little dyslexia that day. EPC screenshot attached.

50 miles should be plenty to settle the suspension, and no it won't drop substantially more. 1/8" or so, maybe, as the rubber spring pads compress.

If you want the rear down to the 15" level, or 14-3/4", the next step would be to confirm the exact part number of the rear springs.

The 2 digits circled in red are the important numbers. That's a 6-cyl Sportline "#23" spring in the photo.

 

[Leon_V]

Ok. How can I view the springs?

 

[Kyiv]

As GSXR stated above, the only reason - if springs/pads where not messed with - the height could be wrong is if suspension links where not tightened in ready-to-drive position. Otherwise, the height is strictly controled by springs and pads.

Were rear control arms/spring links also replaced?

 

[Leon_V]

Those front measurements are normal for a stock E420 with new struts. It will gradually sink lower (like, 1/16" per year) over several years as the strut pressure lessens (again, this is normal).

The rear is still higher than normal. Some 034's were built with different (taller) rear springs; our 1994 happened to have these, but that was still only 15" with a full tank, and you are 1/2" above that. I didn't figure out it had different springs until I removed them and read the part number off the lower coil. On that car I installed the "normal" #12 rear spring for the 034, which dropped the rear down to about 14-5/8" with a full tank, very close to the front measurement. Every other 034 that I've owned from 1992-1995 has had the usual #12 springs. I don't know why one car came with #21. Maybe the assembly line person had a little dyslexia that day. EPC screenshot attached.

50 miles should be plenty to settle the suspension, and no it won't drop substantially more. 1/8" or so, maybe, as the rubber spring pads compress.

If you want the rear down to the 15" level, or 14-3/4", the next step would be to confirm the exact part number of the rear springs.

The 2 digits circled in red are the important numbers. That's a 6-cyl Sportline "#23" spring in the photo.

View attachment 139345 View attachment 139346

Could it be the multi-links that were replaced? The sway bar bushings or the links?

 

[Leon_V]

As GSXR stated above, the only reason - if springs/pads where not messed with - the height could be wrong is if suspension links where not tightened in ready-to-drive position. Otherwise, the height is strictly controled by springs and pads.

Were rear control arms/spring links also replaced?

View attachment 139347

No rear control arms were done. But, they had to 'drop' these to complete work on the multi-links rear suspension

 

[Kyiv]

No rear control arms were done. But, they had to 'drop' these to complete work on the multi-links rear suspension

Just to confirm, before the job, ride height was normal?

 

[Leon_V]

Ride height was normal

 

[Leon_V]

Ride Height Before work started

 

[Kyiv]

Ride Height Before work started

A likely possibility is that they did not tighten rear links in a ready-to-drive position. Although that seems far-fetched, it's the likeliest theoretical reason...

Another possibility, since you mentioned that they dropped control arms/spring links, which means rear springs came out and were reinstalled, is that they did not install them correctly into their respective bottom nests.

This is a factory procedure for installing rear springs. The bottom end of the coil must be correctly placed into the bottom spring nest. The procedure calls for checking if this is done correctly by inserting a thin wire from the bottom of control arm/spring link though a tiny hole. That wire must hit spring's lower coil




You can just make out that tiny hole in my control arm in the below picture. When I was installing my new rear springs, it took me a few tries to make sure that the springs were properly positioned in their nests in the control arm. Just something to consider

 

[gsxr]

Ok. How can I view the springs?

As described back in post #2, it's not easy to read the rear spring part number with the springs in place. The number is not always facing upward, and if it's facing down against the control arm. With a flashlight and/or borescope you might be able to see the numbers. If not, a spring has to be removed. If the springs are original and have some corrosion, a wire brush may be required to clean the number enough to be readable.

Another option is to use a digital caliper to measure the coil wire diameter. This is tricky and NOT conclusive because the difference between #12 and #21 is not more than ~0.2mm.

 

[gerryvz]

I think this is a combination of the rear LCAs and perhaps arms not being tightened in the ready-to-drive position, and new suspension components that will take a few thousand miles to "settle down."

 

[gsxr]

My keyboard diagnosis is a combination of possibly #21 springs along with arms not being tightened in the ready-to-drive position. I've installed new suspension components on several cars and in general there won't be more than 1/8-1/4 inch of "settling" after the initial test drive around the block. This car is about 1/2" higher than normal in the rear. Bummer there are no measurements from before the work was done.

 

[Leon_V]

My keyboard diagnosis is a combination of possibly #21 springs along with arms not being tightened in the ready-to-drive position. I've installed new suspension components on several cars and in general there won't be more than 1/8-1/4 inch of "settling" after the initial test drive around the block. This car is about 1/2" higher than normal in the rear. Bummer there are no measurements from before the work was done.

Thanks, Dave. Is there a possibility that it still might settle over the next few drives (e.g., weeks & couple months)?

 

[gsxr]

Thanks, Dave. Is there a possibility that it still might settle over the next few drives (e.g., weeks & couple months)?

It may settle a few millimeters. It will never settle a half-inch.

 

[Leon_V]

Thanks, Dave. I appreciate everyone's time and help!

 

[Leon_V]

I think this is a combination of the rear LCAs and perhaps arms not being tightened in the ready-to-drive position, and new suspension components that will take a few thousand miles to "settle down."

Thanks, Gerry! I appreciate everyone's time and help!

 

[Leon_V]

It may settle a few millimeters. It will never settle a half-inch.

Hi GSXR,

I'm going to change the springs - both front and rear, along with the rear control arms. I've got the correct springs for the front and rear based on the numbers you gave me. Which shims (part number) would I need for both sets of springs. If you could provide the part numbers I'd appreciate it.

Thank you,

Leon

 

[Jlaa]

Hi GSXR,

I'm going to change the springs - both front and rear, along with the rear control arms. I've got the correct springs for the front and rear based on the numbers you gave me. Which shims (part number) would I need for both sets of springs. If you could provide the part numbers I'd appreciate it.

Thank you,

Leon

Hi Leon, just FYI, you can find all those part numbers on his website at www.w124performance.com Pictures of those items that you seek well along with part numbers are most likely in the images section of his website.

 

[Leon_V]

Hi Leon, just FYI, you can find all those part numbers on his website at www.w124performance.com Pictures of those items that you seek well along with part numbers are most likely in the images section of his website.

Thank you, however, it doesn't have the exact part number for the springs. The site is awesome

 

[Kyiv]

Take pictures of each front and rear springs and post them here. They have color markings on them. Color markings indicate which pad a respective spring should be matched with

 

[Leon_V]

Take pictures of each front and rear springs and post them here. They have color markings on them. Color markings indicate which pad a respective spring should be matched with

From all observations, it would appear no colors in the front or rear. GSXR commented it is 2 bumps front and rear for standard E420's? Is this correct? I am blissfully in love with my E420 and am trying to treat it right!