Orig Spring - 4 yellow stripes; which rubber pads?

[jameshoward]

I am slowly progressing towards a TUV test date of early next week, and have almost completed all the jobs. However, I'm also trying to sort out my suspension.

The rubber pads above and (where applicable) below my springs are original and largely shot. I want to replace them but can't make head or tail of the marking system on the springs in relation to the BBB tables. I am sure I'm missing something v obvious.

All of my springs have 4 yellow lines on them. The ride height at present is all over the place, but I want to try the correct pads before I start using different thicknesses.

Can anyone tell me what pads I need according to my springs?

The car is a 1966 230 SL manual, LHD, no a/c, pwr steering.

I've done a search on the site but can't seem to find the answer.

Thanks,

James

[jeffc280sl]

Hello James,

The 4 yellow paint marks should be in the center part of the spring.  Closer to one end or the other there will be some other paint mark references.  All paint marking on my old springs are pretty much in line.  So from the 4 yellow marks clean your old springs above and below near the ends and you should see additional color markings.  Let us know what they are and we can tell you what size pads were installed in the factory.



Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[hands_aus]

yellow marks?

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[jameshoward]

I've gone back with a bucket of hot soapy water and cleaned up the springs as best I can. All have 4 yellow stripes on them as clear as day. On the rear left srping I managed to find two white stripes. After an hour of digging and scrubbing at 40 years of crud, I can't find any other marks on the springs at all.

So, any ideas as to which pads I should order? Does it really matter? THe car seems very low, measuring in mm (") from the centre of hub cap to the fender edge:

FL - 368 (14.5")
FR - 378 (14 7/8)
RR - 355 (14")
RL - 347 (13 5/8)

It is clearly down on the drivers side (left hand drive) but not as bad as it was having now put in the new Koni adjustable shocks on Thursday.

I was wondering if I don't try to even up the car by buying various thicknesses to bring it up to about 14 3/4 all around. However, given that some of the pads are shot, I believe I am probably best served by just buying what the car is supposed to have and then trying to get some of Bob Villiers spacers sent over to make up the difference.

My question remains: can anyone tell me what rubber spacers I need for top and bottom, front and rear?

Thanks,

James

[Raymond]

The ride heights you list, while uneven, don't seem low at all.  I am trying to get my car to 13 3/4 in. all around, with the hardtop on and full gas tank. The right front seems high.  Do you drive off-road a lot?  

The suspension geometry is literally a balancing act.  Change something here and it shows up over there.  Change a bunch of things at once, and you won't know what is doing what.

The easiest first experiment, if you just want to level it and not lower it, is to put one of the boiler gaskets that Jim Villers uses as spacers in the left rear.  Drive the car around the block and then measure them all again.  

I think I recall that bottom pads in the rear are all the same thickness, so you might just renew them while you're in there anyway.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[jameshoward]

Ray,

Thanks for your points. I don't drive off road or on road at present, since the car is yet to be registered in accordance with the pretty stringent German TUV test - like a roadworth test for cars.

I am relieved to hear that you think it isn't too low. I've looked at quite a few photos on this site, and it does seem to sit lower than many. HOwever, if that's OK, then fine.

I had hoped to experiment with Jim Villers spacers as shown on the film clip. I called McMaster Carr who were very helpful. The pack is $3 for 6 spacers, so I thought 2 packs should do - about $6. Then they told me the shipping cost to Germany: $58!!!!!!!! I think I'll pass and cross fingers for a while.

I would still like to know, though, what pads I should order. So if you have a view, I'd welcome it as right now I have no clue what to buy.

Thanks,

James

[n/a]

You should beable to get the spacers Jim Villers talks about from any Industrial piping supplier, they are called a flange gasket. If I rememeber from the video Jim said they where 5" diameter or 127mm. You might want to check the video for the size Jim suggest to use.

I have yet to get this far with my restro, I just drop the complete front end out to start a complete rebuild. 1966 230sl.

Good Luck,
Barlow

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by jameshoward

The ride height at present is all over the place, but I want to try the correct pads before I start using different thicknesses.

James,

Possibly the longest (3 pages) ride height thread we have:
http://index.php?topic=3903

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Raymond]

James, I have a couple packs of the flange gaskets from McMaster Carr.  It can't cost me $58 to send them via US Mail to Germany.  E-mail your address to me.  But you might not need them.

I bought them and ordered the thinest pads figuring I could adjust them with "Jim's Shims".  However, I used one gasket each side and found the ride too high, so I took them out.  



Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe