W211 front suspension sitting high

[AD01]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2006 W211 E280. I had the front shock absorbers and springs replaced a couple of years ago and I've always thought the front end looked very high afterwards. I'm also rubbing out front tyres on the outside edge for fun which I never did before, which according to my logic, confirms my suspicion they are indeed too high.

The odd thing is that whoever I speak to has no idea how to rectify it.

Anyone seen this before? It seems a fairly common problem judging by my Google results but I can't find a solution. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Theres an adjustment ring near the bottom cup. You're meant to seat it to match the shocks that are removed.

 

[AD01]

Thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know where I would be able to find the settings for the adjustment ring?

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Were they replaced my a main dealer or a Merc specialist and with OEM parts?

If not chances are they have not fitted correct springs.

 

[AD01]

Were they replaced my a main dealer or a Merc specialist and with OEM parts?

If not chances are they have not fitted correct springs.

Neither! They were genuine mercedes parts fitted by my neighbour. He had trouble getting the right ones because mercedes told him they were coded to the individual car..

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Thanks for the reply. Do you happen to know where I would be able to find the settings for the adjustment ring?

If you put it on the bottom slot the car will drop about an inch .

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Neither! They were genuine mercedes parts fitted by my neighbour. He had trouble getting the right ones because mercedes told him they were coded to the individual car..

Post up your VIN and the Mercedes OEM part numbers fitted and someone can confirm these are correct.

After this then it is down to the fitting/adjusting as pointed out previously.

 

[AD01]

Post up your VIN and the Mercedes OEM part numbers fitted and someone can confirm these are correct.

After this then it is down to the fitting/adjusting as pointed out previously.

I can get the VIN but where would I find the part numbers? on the spring and shock absorber?

 

[AD01]

I took some pictures of the front vs the back. As i recall, they sat at similar levels previously..

 

[renault12ts]

I can get the VIN but where would I find the part numbers? on the spring and shock absorber?

The original springs would have a colour coding on them. The best you can do is go to a dealer with the VIN, they should be able to get the correct springs.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Even with the correct springs. If the circlip is set too high the gap will still be high. Iirc sachs shocks come with the clip at the top.



Read here
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/w211-suspension-query-odd-ride-height.213741/

 

[Dryce]

I took some pictures of the front vs the back. As i recall, they sat at similar levels previously..

That looks too high.

I would guess that's a W211 Avant Garde from the alloys. My recollection is that that this sat 10 to 15mm lower than the Elegance and Classic variants.

So my first *guess* would be that the car had Elegance / Classic springs fitted instead of Avant Gard springs. After the new springs were fitted it could sit a little bit higher for a while as they settled so whoever fitted the springs might assume that if they didn't sit quite right then that would be temporary.

 

[Major774]

I have ordered springs from MB before. You need to check the colour code on the original springs (which are on the car) before ordering. Did your neighbour order the springs by guessing?

 

[AD01]

Thanks for the help everyone. To be honest, I don't know if he ordered them correctly. I know he mentioned then being colour coded and car specific so I was quite surprised they looked so odd. But he was/is my next door neighbour so I didn't complain too much. This is a good couple of years ago now, I doubt he'd even remember what he ordered.

Yes it is the avantguarde, my memory is that it sat lower than the classic and elegance. This is why I went for it, it looked much nicer with the lower ride height.

Is it likely the MB dealer will keep records on which spring is required for which car? So far as I have been able to learn, if you remove the original springs and do not take detailed notes and measurements, its seriously difficult to rectify later on. I spoke to my local MB specialist, he said all he could do was 'have a bash at it'. Didn't fill me with confidence.

Thanks again for all the comments and advice so far!

 

[Major774]

Unfortunately they don’t store the specific colour code for each car. It requires taking the reference from the original factory fitted springs. Which is why it is even more important to take pictures of the originals if you are going down the aftermarket route.

Pros and cons for each route.

Suggestion, find another forum member with the same model and similar options (also still running OEM springs). Then grab the colour code from that car.

 

[AD01]

Unfortunately they don’t store the specific colour code for each car. It requires taking the reference from the original factory fitted springs. Which is why it is even more important to take pictures of the originals if you are going down the aftermarket route.

Pros and cons for each route.

Suggestion, find another forum member with the same model and similar options (also still running OEM springs). Then grab the colour code from that car.

Good suggestion, thanks, I'll try that. By the way, what do you mean by aftermarket route? Is there another avenue I could be exploring?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

The shocks are also different for an avantgarde. They are listed as touring ...

 

[Major774]

Good suggestion, thanks, I'll try that. By the way, what do you mean by aftermarket route? Is there another avenue I could be exploring?

By aftermarket I mean installing parts ordered from a motor factor (e.g. Euro Car Parts). You will most likely not get the colour coding option (not 100% sure), as the manufacturer will make a spring to cater for all the various model. On the plus side, price will be cheaper.

 

[E55BOF]

Buying springs direct from Sachs (quite likely the OEM maker - they do make OEM springs for MB) may bring the cost down. I bought Sachs front springs for my SLK55 direct from Sachs at about half the MB dealer price, and they were the correct springs (out of a choice of three).

 

[AD01]

By aftermarket I mean installing parts ordered from a motor factor (e.g. Euro Car Parts). You will most likely not get the colour coding option (not 100% sure), as the manufacturer will make a spring to cater for all the various model. On the plus side, price will be cheaper.

Ok, I see, thanks for clarifying. They were genuine MB springs and shock absorbers. I just came off the phone from MB in Bury st Edmunds and after a serious investigation, he thinks he's found the original specs - hooray! I need to confirm the colours on the installed springs to confirm - I'll report back. Thanks everyone for the advice so far!