S124 4-matic suspension lowering

[W140]

Hi,
I'm trying to find some lowering spring for 300TE 4-matic but can't. Any of you ever came across with similar issue?

 

[brucemillar]

You may struggle to get lowering springs on the front. They are the whackiest springs that I have ever seen.

 

[W140]

Yeah I know! Shape of that thing is sick!!!

 

[d w124]

I don`t know if he still has them but Talbir had a lowering kit for 4matic

 

[carat 3.6]

If you cant get hold of a lowering kit, you may be able to cut 1 coil off the top of each spring, adjust the ride height of the rear sls and your good to go.

 

[grober]

Carlsson used to do them irrc-- but a long time ago!

 

[SilverSaloon]

you could get some springs made to your spec?

http://www.springcoil.co.uk/suspension.html

or

Coil Spring Specialties

 

[brucemillar]

You could just modify an industrial sized slinky

 

[W140]

Well if I can't find ready springs that's what I'm going to do - just cut the old one. I have been searching Internet all day and there is nothing. Thank for your help guys!

 

[kth286]

re thoughts on cutting the spring:

the top of spring is tapered to ensure the rubber top pad can screw onto the spring.

if you cut the top as has been mentioned above, then how will the rubber top pads screw onto the spring as the taper of the spring will have been removed.

if you cut the bottom of the spring, then the spring on refitting, will be turned to a new/different position, and you are likely to find that the space that was previously allowing the drive shafts to pass through the springs, will now be in a different position, and may in fact be blocking the driveshaft.

 

[neilrr]

I've got a set of W124 MATIC springs if anyone wants to experiment.

 

[BlackC55]

I really would not cut the springs.

 

[brucemillar]

I did read somewhere once that the strength and recoil of the spring is measured on its unsprung length.

If you reduce that length (by cutting it) you reduce the strength and recoil. So you could end up with unexpected results in the handling department.

 

[kth286]

if you cut the spring it becomes shorter and therefore stiffer/harder

 

[grober]

The 4matic springs have been carefully designed for a range of suspension articulation suitable for the U/J on the drive shaft. Changing the ride height may mean this ideal running position is compromised leading to excessive wear and possibly other problems. The system is very sensitive- different tyres front and back or side to side will cause the 4matic warning light to come on in many situations. Depart from the factory setup at your peril!

 

[d w124]

They did do sportline 4Matic 124s

 

[grober]

They did do sportline 4Matic 124s

I don't think so but I am prepared to be convinced by documented references?
The first E-Class: 124 series (1984 to 1996) | Daimler Global Media Site > Classic > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-Benz P. Cars > E-Class

 

[Deleted member 11979]

They did do sportline 4Matic 124s

They didn't actually, I've got a sportline borchure and it's not avaialble on the 4 matic (or wasn't when this brochure was printed)

 

[d w124]

Wrong again then I guess,I was sure I had seen and 4matic saloon sportline

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Wrong again then I guess,I was sure I had seen and 4matic saloon sportline

The info I have is from an early sportline brochure - it may have changed as time went on, don't be too hard on yourself!

P.S. that silver 300 TE 24V seems like a good buy, the guy was very pleasant, owned by his father in law since new.