Front Suspension - Engine Carrier

[bpossel]

I am in the process of correcting a 1 inch deviation between my left and right front.   In summary, my front left is 1 inch lower than my right front (top of wheel well to center of star measurement).

I have the front currently on 2 jack stands, left and right, wheels removed.  Tonight I removed the left spring.  Tomorrow, I will remove the right spring.  My goal is to have both springs with pads on the bench to see if I should lower the right side or raise the left side.

While I have all of this apart, I would like to also replace the front subframe mounts (how can one tell if these are bad?).  If I remove both subframe mounts and also have both front springs out, will my engine fall :oops: ?

I currently have a jack under the center of the front axle carrier.  Is this sufficient to hold the engine while all of the above items are removed???

Thanks for your comments!
Bob


bpossel
Memphis, TN.
1971 280SL
1997 E320

[J. Huber]

Hi Bob.

I am just a spectator -- so please wait for experts. I have always heard that you want to do just one subframe mount at a time -- because getting them to line up is just plain easier this way.

As for how to tell the condition of said SFMs, I could see mine were shot by jacking up one front side at a time. The rubber was all but perished and the rest rusty. There is danger in a sub-frame mount like that holding things together -- especially when jacked up. So I got new ones in pronto.

My springs stayed in the whole time -- so I have no experience in that part of the equation. I can say that new mounts, along with new shocks and engine mounts, really tightened up the suspension... and may have raised and leveled my front end a tad (not sure but it is level)...

James
63 230SL

[Vince Canepa]

The engine is mounted to the subframe (front crossmember), to which the control arms are also attached.  The subframe is attached to the body via the subframe mounts.  If you drop the subframe, one side at a time, or both sides together, the engine will come with it unless you disconnect the motor mounts and support the engine in some other way.  The subframe mounts are easier to do if you drop the whole thing, but it isn't a terrible job to do one side at a time either.  If you want to drop both sides, you can support the engine with something under the oil pan.  A good stack of 4 x 12 lumber will work.  Then the engine mounts can be disconnected and the whole subframe dropped down after disconnecting brake lines, etc.  Either way (one side or drop the whole thing), the jack stand under the subframe will have to be replaced with a jack.

The subframe mounts are like two different size cones, the smaller of them inserted into the bigger, separated by a rubber membrane.  You can tell if they are bad with the body supported on jack stands, with the weight of the front suspension and engine on the subframe.  The smaller (lower) cone, which is attached to the subframe, will be pulling out of the upper cone, which is attached to the body.  The upper cone is hanging with the wider part down.  Look carefully under the botton edge to see if the rubber has separated.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[bpossel]

Thanks Guys!

This is what I suspected, but just wanted to see if I was missing something.  I will proceed and work on one side at a time.  This will hopefully be safer and also be somewhat easier to line things up again when re-installing.

Thanks again!
Bob

bpossel
Memphis, TN.
1971 280SL
1997 E320