W202 front spring installation - question positioning

[DRBC43AMG]

Hi all!

I'm currently installing my KW suspension on the C43. Rear suspension was straight forward and bolted on perfectly

On the other hand, I'm having some problems with the front springs.
The left side installed with no hassle and the end of the spring fits in nice and snug in the wishbone groove (see first photo). However, on the right hand side, the end of the groove is positioned a half turn to the top. If I turn the spring so that it stays in that position, its position is all wonky and too compressed to the point I can't remove the Klann spring compressor plates
I finally positioned the spring like on the left side (see second photo) but it doesn't seem right to me as the end of the spring spiral is not snug against the end of the wishbone groove.
Any ideas/recommendations?

 

[SavMan]

What happens when you apply the vehicles weight?

 

[DRBC43AMG]

I don't know as I can't put the car on the ground for now. The rear brakes have to be assembled

 

[renault12ts]

It will be fine. One of mine is like that for some reason...and has been for 3 years without ill effect.

 

[Auto-mobile]

Did you remove the rubber cup where the top of the spring sits?

 

[DRBC43AMG]

Sure the top rubber pad was removed when dismantling the suspension. the KW suspension uses adjustable aluminium pads which sit on top of the spring to dial in the height you want

 

[grober]

Confusion arises because both springs are wound the same way. However the indent for the end of the spring is located nearest the outer ball joint on the left hand control arm whereas on the right hand control arm it is nearest the inner bushes . You just need to rotate the right hand spring end a bit.

 

[DRBC43AMG]

Perfect, thanks Graeme
I will turn the right hand spring a bit more "clockwise" then, so it sits a bit more like the left side

 

[kth286]

yes as per Grober the spring bottom must be in the grove of the wishbone and against the stop.

If you cannot remove the plates you may need to lower the wishbone a little, and may need to undo the damper and roll bar to allow this.

Then jack up the wishbone again after plates removed to attached damper again.

You can more easily extract the plates by sliding them around the springs towards the middle where the gaps are bigger. Use of a rubber mallet may be in order.

 

[DRBC43AMG]

I also received confirmation by a member on another MB forum who has the exact same suspension set-up. Like Graeme he says the spring needs to be turned a bit more and making sure the spire at the rear is just clear of the grove end.