Ride height

[Mark-R]

My 190E was running low on the rear. O/S slightly lower than N/S.
I have replaced both rear road springs and the N/S has risen to the correct height. The O/S however is still too low. The bottom of the rear arch is about level with the top of the tyre. The N/S has about 40mm clearance and looks level front to rear. Any ideas what could be causing the O/S to be low?

BTW both springs were brand new and the same. They were both about 30mm longer than the old ones. The wishbone and top seat on the body were in tact as was the rubber seat on the spring. Both were fitted the same way up as came off with the flat link to the top, inside the rubber seat.

It does not have SLS.

 

[Dieselman]

Check the front springs also.

If the front is level and the rear lopsided the body must be twisted, although this seems unlikely if the doors shut.

Another option is that the damper or anti-roll bar is holding the suspension retracted.

 

[willy]

have u checked that both of the dampers are ok, as if one of them was worn it may cause the height to be slightly lower

 

[Mark-R]

The opposite front corner is high, but this is obviously due to the rear being low. The front does drop when pushing it down, so it is unlikely that this is holding it up. All the dampers seem to be working normally. Is there any adjustment on the wishbones?

 

[Dieselman]

The opposite front corner is high, but this is obviously due to the rear being low. The front does drop when pushing it down, so it is unlikely that this is holding it up. All the dampers seem to be working normally. Is there any adjustment on the wishbones?

No. The spring and spring pads should set the height.

 

[hitt]

possibly a silly question but have you double checked that the bump stops (rubber pads at the the top of the spring) are the same?

I assume the W201 is the same as my W124 where the bump stops come in a variety of sizes. Although I don't think the range from the thinest to the thickest is anywhere near 40mm . .

You could do a quick check by checking how many dots each bump stop is. I believe they range from 1 to 5 . . 5 being the thickest, therefore raising the car most.

 

[Mark-R]

But it's not sat on the bump stops. One side is now at rhe correct height since replaceing the springs, the other is slightly low, but not down on the bump stop.

 

[Dieselman]

It could still be the front spring being incorrect.
Jack each end of the car up in the centre seperately and check for levelness.

If this fails and there is nothing obvious try disconnecting the dampers and anti roll bar. If still no joy swap the springs side to side.

 

[Mark-R]

I'll try jacking each end, but not sure it will show anything. The car doesn't look that bat, but the O/S wheel is level with the arch whereas the N/S has a reasonable clearance. Jacking the front might show something up. Had considered swapping the springs across, it was an easy job to do. The old springs did look uneven lengths (O/S shorter) so I really thought I had found the cause. It does look a bit more level after a few days driving too. It also handles much better with the new springs. It felt a bit loose on left hand bends before.

 

[Dieselman]

I'll try jacking each end, but not sure it will show anything.

If you jack the front and the car is then level then the problem is at the front end, vice versa if the rear makes the car level.

 

[grober]

190s well known for broken front springs- corrosion induced. both my 190s had broken front springs. drove several 100 miles with one broken before I realised. the other went "boing" and was immediately obvious. "Bump stop" is the wrong expression I think " spring pad" is better and they are located between the top of spring and the chassis. different pads will effect the resting ride height of the car. Is it possible that the previous owner had a broken front spring and only replaced one side to give a "new" and "tired" front spring combination??