Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: CJHenderson on January 30, 2021, 19:08:41

Title: Front coil springs
Post by: CJHenderson on January 30, 2021, 19:08:41

Is there rubber mounts that are for the bottom of the coil springs, how do I measure the diameter of the springs inside or outside Dia.?

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Pawel66 on January 30, 2021, 21:31:29

I have been through this recently...

There are various heights pads up there, nothing at the bottom. Important not to forget that the front springs have their top and bottom that are not the same.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: CJHenderson on January 31, 2021, 00:23:53

Thanks for clearing that up. As for the thickness, I have no idea because when I remove the springs the upper pads were almost completely worn through. I'm thinking of the 25mm might work fine.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Charles 230SL on January 31, 2021, 00:37:00

CJ, I think there's a part number (or some other marking) on the old pad that identifies how thick it is.   

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Pawel66 on January 31, 2021, 01:20:10

There are several sizes of those available from MB. I do not know what to advise here. I bought something mid range, could be 22mm or so, but I am not sure what size it should be exactly.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: stickandrudderman on January 31, 2021, 20:47:05

The different thickness rubbers are to adjust ride height, or more specifically, wishbone angle.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: CJHenderson on February 01, 2021, 00:18:52

What would have been the standard thickness coming off of the factory floor?

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: stickandrudderman on February 01, 2021, 09:42:04

I don't know for a fact, but if I was building new cars I would start with the middle of the range.
That's what I do when restoring them.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Raymond on February 02, 2021, 19:41:21

There are a number of threads about this, if you search.  There is also one which explains how to use rubber flange gaskets to adjust ride height.  When I did mine, i chose a thinner thickness and added the gaskets.  It worked perfectly.  It's a bit of a pain putting the springs in and out but it beat buying a spring rubber that was too thick.  Search "flange gasket" in quotes to see Jim Villers presentation on this.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: mnahon on February 02, 2021, 20:45:28

I thought that Jim Viller's approach of using flange gaskets was for the rear springs. Can it also be done on the front springs?

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: CJHenderson on February 03, 2021, 20:22:22

Just received the rubber mount but doesn't seem right. The coil springs has a thicker diameter coil compared to the groove in the pad. Am I suppose to heat the pads to fit over the springs?

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Pawel66 on February 03, 2021, 20:34:53

Mine fitted just fine... are they from Mercedes? Did you make sure you put them on top of the spring, not the bottom?

Well, they will be pressed when you put the car on wheels...

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: CJHenderson on February 03, 2021, 22:02:32

Have no clue as to which is top or bottom, it looks the same

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Pawel66 on February 03, 2021, 22:45:11

It should not. If I remember correctly (I have ny BBB back home) the bottom end of the spring is bent inwards at an angle to fit the lower control arm seat. Top of the spring ends round. I hope I remember correctly...

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: Pawel66 on February 04, 2021, 07:45:39

The end of the spring not bent inwards (sorry for this), but outwards a bit, on the bottom. I found the picture, attached.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: CJHenderson on February 04, 2021, 11:28:30

Thanks for the reference this will get me going to finish the install.

Title: Re: Front coil springs
Post by: sandcrab59 on February 04, 2021, 23:18:49

If you can find someone that has the real small blue tech specs book,in there is the correct springs and rubber mounts for your car.
It should be for 1970. I assume you have a 1970 280SL. There is a spec book for every year.
Mine is upstairs and it is very late and I do not want to climb stairs tonight.
Tom