Front Spring Question

[Duncan200]

Hi All,

After spending the last week prepping and painting my front suspension components ready for refit, I got out the new front springs that were supplied to me and they are different to the original ones in the car.

I’m replacing mine because the left one is bent like a banana.

The originals have the red paint mark on them.

The new springs are much higher.

New Spring height 425mm, Outer Diameter 125mm, Coil thickness 16mm. My original spring is 395mm high, outer diameter 127mm and coil thickness 16.5mm. These heights are the my total spring length which I know is not the correct way to measure, but as per the pics attached, you can see a large difference.

The new springs are Suplex part number 19053 which says it's for a 113 but it's wrong.
Pics attached of the bottom to show the difference in that too.

Cannot seem to find a decent pic of a spring online that shows the straight part of the spring on the bottom that locates it in the lower control arm.

I’m not attempting to fit these just yet as I’m worried they’ll make the car sit too high and also not locate in the lower control arm properly.

Can’t seem to find any posts on here outlining this specific issue.

I’ve reached out to my supplier too to see what he says and if he gets any response from his supplier, I’ll let you all know.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks All
Doug.

[WRe]

Hi,
the workshop manual contains extensive information on the springs used.
In your case, 230SL, the following springs were installed:
- 113 321 0404 standard
- 113 321 0504 for bad road conditions
The dimensions of these springs are listed in the accompanying table.

However, the Suplex catalog lists the exact springs you ordered (19053), even though they are much larger but with almost the same wire thickness: 427 x 125 x 15,5 mm.
...WRe

[Duncan200]

Hi Wre,

That’s exactly the question I’m asking the forum. The spring supplied as the supposed correct number from Suplex is wrong, in more ways than one, has anyone here replaced their springs with Suplex brand?

In terms of what I ordered, I just asked my parts supplier to get me some front springs, he’s sent me what his supplier has sent him in good faith.

I’m putting it out to the forum if they can help me solve the issue of them being wrong and perhaps give me an alternative source to obtain the correct spring.

Thanks.

[DaveB]

Maybe try loading the new spring with a heavy weight, like 100kg, to see how much it compresses. Then try the same with the old spring.
Just thinking that perhaps the new spring might settle to the correct height when loaded..(if they will fit in the lower control arm).

[afibbe]

I don’t know if this will help but attached is a picture on my 66 230 SL springs I removed and reinstalled a few months ago.

My front springs measured 430mm. I didn’t take any other measurements.

[Duncan200]

Hello All,

Thanks for everyone’s comments.

I’ve subsequently found out my springs are 113 321 0504 for bad road conditions.

Obviously Australian roads are considered bad, I have to agree.

I’ve updated my supplier with this information and will see what he says.

I wonder if they are still available from MB or if someone aftermarket makes them?

[WRe]

Hi,
I have send our spring dates from the workshop manual to Suplex and asked for differences to their model 19053.
Today the following answer arrived:

"Unfortunately we only offer the 19053 you mentioned for your vehicle. This corresponds to the Mercedes references 110 321 0804, 110 321 0204 and 110 321 0404.
We summarized the three references at the time because the differences were within our manufacturing tolerances. From my point of view, there is nothing wrong with installing the 19053 springs. It is important, however, that you change both springs on the front axle, otherwise there may be an imbalance, depending on how long the other spring has been installed and has probably settled.
Did you still install the original springs on the rear axle? Depending on the degree of wear, it is also advisable to replace these in order to avoid an optical "crooked position" of your vehicle."

I hope this will help you.
...WRe

[Duncan200]

Hi WRe,

Thank you for doing this, completely unexpected and greatly appreciated.

I’ll wait and see what my supplier says. Whilst Suplex say these will fit, I’m not convinced given the different shape on the bottom.

I’d like to keep the car to original spec as much as possible and if it wasn’t for the bent left spring, they’d be going back in.

Given my car had the bad road option, I’d love to find the same spring.

Thanks again.

Doug.

[rwmastel]

Suplex said "110 321 0804, 110 321 0204 and 110 321 0404".  Those are sedan springs, not our roadster part 113 321 0404.

[WRe]

Hi,
in fact I replied to Suplex the same and sent them the correct details but there answer was the same.
I would assume that the production of these "old" springs has been greatly simplified though there were no such large springs (>400mm).
...WRe

[Duncan200]

Just an update

It appears I may have to go OE to get the exact springs for my car.

My next spring challenge will be when I finally get the front end back in and drop the rear.

I’m awaiting a response from my supplier.

[WRe]

Hi,
compared to the MB prize (~215€/ea) these are cheaper even incl. transport: https://mercedes-lager.de/shop/Vorderfeder-NF-1133210404.
Maybe you can ask for their measures: info@mercedeslager.de.
...WRe

[Duncan200]

Hello All,

Just to give you an update, I ended up getting the original MB bad road suspension springs for the front of my car (ending in 05 04) and they even have the correct 3 paint marks on them, red, yellow and grey and the bottom of the spring is straight so it fits in the lower control arm perfectly.

They will soon be in the front end and then hopefully the front end will be back in the car this week.

Cheers Doug

[rwmastel]

Congratulations on getting the correct SL (113) part instead of that sedan (110) part. Suplex doesn't seem to have their act together regarding SL springs.

[Kevkeller]

How did your spring get bent in the shape of a banana?

Also I took mine out stripped them and repainted them. Seems like any paint I use is easily chipped. What kind of paint do people use?

[Duncan200]

I don’t know how it was bent, I’ve only owned the car for 5 years.

I suspect the obvious, an accident, as I repaired some accident damage to the right front headlight, guard (fender), bonnet (hood) area and it looked as though everything was pushed left. Even the left front disc backing plate had a hole in it from the lower control arm punching it, so that’s how I think it was bent.