W/S212 front spring question.

[Petrol Pete]

The height of the spring is important but does not tell the whole story , at any given height of spring it is the wire diameter (amongst other factors , coil diameter , coil count etc ) that influences it's rate.

For example a spring 350mm tall with a wire dimeter of 10mm is a very different spring to a 350mm spring with a wire diameter of (let's say) 12mm , it could be said that the second spring is 20% stiffer....but that is not a given.

We discuss this often on here and the best way is to take note of the colour markings on your OEM springs , unfortunately not something OP can do , contacting MB with the VIN is an option , but in itself not always foolproof.

From my own experience or replacing all 4 springs and shocks on my 2006 W203 C55 AMG it is not always clear cut.

 

[Will]

Ridex are an Autodoc own brand economy/budget line.

Ignore the pricing and discounts, it’s all smoke and mirrors.

Autodoc have promotions on literally every day, the prices are literally up and down on a continuous basis - it’s a shame as they used to have pretty keen pricing with more realistic levels of discount, it’s all a bit ECP now!

 

[Petrol Pete]

If you left something in your Autodoc basket (on the app) days later a message would arrive offering you a discount , not sure if that still happens , and if you do order from Autodoc be prepared to wait a while for the bits to arrive.

 

[350cls]

Springs ordered give the spec of the springs that suit the vehicle suspension set up. So cross fingers they are what they say they are albeit a cheaper unknown brand.

 

[350cls]

Does 150 a corner sound a fair price to remove and install new springs

 

[colinallcars]

Does 150 a corner sound a fair price to remove and install new springs

About 1.5 hours per corner at a rough guess. Sounds excessive.

 

[W1ghty]

Does 150 a corner sound a fair price to remove and install new springs

That sounds expensive to me if that’s Labour . Is that their hourly price ?
I would have thought a trusted general garage would be under £100per hour ??

 

[350cls]

My mistake sorry 120 per corner, guy rekons 1 and half hour per side.

Plus vat

 

[350cls]

Looking at the job it doesn't seem so bad in all fairness. I've done the lower control arms on the previous s211 I had. It's just the compression on the springs I'm bothered by. Plus I don't have a vice which I think would make the job easier.

 

[Will]

I don’t think £150 a corner is unreasonable.

 

[Jobsworth]

It’s easier to measure from the ground to the arch, or the centre of the wheel to the arch. Top of the tyre is too vague for my liking

I don’t think £150 a corner is unreasonable.

Wow! I’m too cheap

 

[Jobsworth]

Looking at the job it doesn't seem so bad in all fairness. I've done the lower control arms on the previous s211 I had. It's just ithe compression on the springs I'm bothered by. Plus I don't have a vice which I think would make the job easier.

I recommend a proper floor mounted spring compressor station for these. Some models also pull the damper rod down into the body when released, so you need a special clamp to stop that happening. Not really one to diy unless you know what you are doing. Number of times I have had enthusiastic amateurs arrive at my shop with the damper rod pulled right in and a two foot long spring in the other hand…

 

[350cls]

I recommend a proper floor mounted spring compressor station for these. Some models also pull the damper rod down into the body when released, so you need a special clamp to stop that happening. Not really one to diy unless you know what you are doing. Number of times I have had enthusiastic amateurs arrive at my shop with the damper rod pulled right in and a two foot long spring in the other hand…

What clearance would you say you have from wheel arch to top of tyre. I know all vehicles run different size wheels and suspension components. What would you say is the recommended clearance on a s/w212 with 16" wheels SE suspension?

AT least they turned up at your premises with the aid of you to put them right ay

 

[whitenemesis]

Is the 212 the same as the 211 where there are two positions on the strut to fit the spring mount?

 

[Jobsworth]

Is the 212 the same as the 211 where there are two positions on the strut to fit the spring mount?

No

 

[Jobsworth]

First measurement, road to arch, second measurement centre of wheel to arch. I am not confident measuring top of tyre to arch. It’s too wobbly trying to find horizontal point across the tread.

 

[Jobsworth]

18” wheel, staggered setup. Stock AMG line car, no modifications at all. My wife’s daily beater.

 

[Jobsworth]

Although she has moved into her summer wheels now…

 

[DSM10000]

About 1.5 hours per corner at a rough guess. Sounds excessive.

Not if it includes VAT although 1.5 hours a side seems a long time.

 

[colinallcars]

Not if it includes VAT although 1.5 hours a side seems a long

Not if it includes VAT although 1.5 hours a side seems a long time.

Therefore 3 hours per side is a very long time! I think we’re in broad agreement.