Ground clearance

[mulrik]

Just bought a 250 SL. The car is great but I have a question regarding the ground clearance or ride height. According to Mercedes the ground clearance should be around 13 centimeters. When I look at mine compared to other cars (in pictures and in "real life")it sits about 2-5 centimeters lower (1-2 inches). The car still has the original springs. Now is my suspension worn (doesn't feels so) or was "lower springs" an option in early '67??? Should note that this is a european car.

[rwmastel]

You might want to measure from the gound to the top of each wheel well fender lip.  We could measure ours and compare.

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420

[mulrik]

OK thanks! This is in centimeters divide by 2,54 to convert to inches. From the ground to fender lip Front: 61,5 Rear 61. From middle of Mercedes star to fender lip Front: 32 Rear 30,5. Now this is with a full tank and hard top fitted. I measured on a 230 SL parked next to mine it is 65 (rear and front) from ground to fender lip (without hard top fitted).

'67 250 SL Papyrus White #23

[jeffc280sl]

I've just replaced all five springs on my 1970 280SL with progressive type springs purchased from John Olson. There are spring pads located on the top of each coil spring.  They come in different thicknesses and the height of the car can be changed by changing pad thickness. In the front you have the following choices: 22mm, 27.5mm, 30mm, and 32.5mm.  The rear pads come in the following thicknesses: 18mm, 24mm and 30mm. A 1mm change in pad thickness creates a 2mm change in the overall height of the car. So if you car currently has an 18mm pad you can add 24mm addition height to your car by changing to the 30mm pad. I'm still adjusting the height of my car as a result of new springs. I like the look of the car with a rear wheel well height of 25.5 inches or 64.77 cm.  I'm planning for the front to be slightly lower at about 25 inches.  FYI - all four old coil spring pads were in very good condition on my car.  They are placed out of the way and protected from the elements some what. I suspect yours arein ok shape too so the ride height mat be due to spring fatigue.

The compensating spring has spring pads on both ends as well.  They come in two thicknesses.

Getting all of these combinations to work together is a challenge.  Then there is the rear wheel camber issue.  What does it look like on your car?

Hope this helps!

Jeff
1970 280SL 4 speed

[Albert-230SL]

Hi Ulrik,

What is the size of the tires in your car?

If you have not the original size (185 R14, which means 185/80 R14) or equivalent (like 205/70), and you have smaller tires (for instance: 185/70 or 195/70), the ground clearance is decreased, as the measures from the ground to the top of each wheel well fender lip.
Make sure the tires also have the correct pressure.

Mine is (cm) Front: 65  Rear: 63,7 (185 R14 tires, soft top, full tank). From ground to the lower part of the wheel fender lip.

Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[J. Huber]

Hey There. I always thought my 230SL was a bit lower than others I have seen. In June I gathered with 8 Pagodas in Los Gatos, and while it seemed a trifle lower, it was not by a whole lot. Tires really make a difference. I have 195/70s ... But here's how it measures up:   Front 61  Rear 63. (from Star: 31.75 and 33.65 cm). (See attachment for a visual!)


James
63 230SL

Download Attachment: guzzi98atdusk.JPG
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[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by Lax882@aol.com

... The rear pads come in the following thicknesses: 18mm, 24mm and 30mm. A 1mm change in pad thickness creates a 2mm change in the overall height of the car. So if you car currently has an 18mm pad you can add 24mm addition height to your car by changing to the 30mm pad...

Jeff
1970 280SL 4 speed

Hi Jeff,

I cannot understand this point. If we change rear pads from 18mm to 24mm, I understand that overall height of rear suspension is increased in just 6mm. Why do you say 12mm?

I cannot find any explanation for such double effect: if you add 6 mm of extra rubber above the springs, height should increase in just that 6 mm, shouldn't it?

I see my car (Front: 65cm  Rear 63.7cm) slightly low at the rear. It has now the 18mm rear pads, and I'm thinkinkg about change them to 24 or 30mm, so I'm very interested in that issue.

Thanks,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[mulrik]

Thank you everybody. I will check the rubber spring pads thichness, sounds like that is the issue. Does anyone know if there was an original thickness for them?? And one other question: where are the jack stand points on the car? Could anyone post a picture with their car on jack stands? Sorry for the elementary request, but my friend and I just got this 250 SL to do a few things on, and we are enthusiastic but novices.

'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

[n/a]

Mulrik,
Check the rear wheel camber. If this is correct (tires/wheels are vertical), then I would leave everything else alone.
My mechanic told me that the front end should sit slightly higher provided everything is as it should be, including front subframe mounts.

Regards,
Stan

[jeffc280sl]

On the 280SL you can determine original pad size from a color coding on the springs.  Front and rear springs have stripes painted on them in white, blue or red.  You also need to know if the vehicle has special equipment such as A/C, auto trans, power steering, sun roof.

I don't know if this marking concept is applicable to earlier years.

As far as ride height and pad sizes go you need to remember that the cars have 4 wheel independant suspension.  Springs are located inside of the wheels so any increase in thickness of the pads is greaterat the wheel well by a factor of two.

Jeff

[mulrik]

Since I started this topic thought I'd be the one to finish it of. After installing new rear bottom pads and replacing 4 new shock absorbers (Bilstein (the original ones)) this is the result. Car height with hardtop full tank and trunk full of tools is ~1305 mm on the highest point (like it is supposed to be). Rear ground to lower fender lip 62,5 cm from middle of star on hubcap 31,5 cm. Front 65,5 and 35,5. This is with original 185 14 tires inflated to the right pressure. Wheel camber back neutral to slightly negative; front negative.

The original upper pads were in excellent conditions and reused. This means that springs were not worn after 36 years.

I hope this will help others! :|

I hope this will help others

'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

[n/a]

Look at any W113 in an original sales brochure or magazine and see what they looked like as far as ride height goew. I've seen so many that look like they're ready for an offroad excursion. I keep an original 1965 sales brouchure by my desk for reference when needed. Neat pictures of the whole model line up.

[pierre]

[original springs. Now is my suspension worn (doesn't feels so)

My car looks also rather low on the front. The suspension hasn't been changed for years,I think.
My measures: car's height:about 129 cm
front: 61,7, from star : 31.5
rear : 62 and about 31.5
So the measures are about the sames front and rear, quite far from the ones in Mulriks last posts., even though the technical control said my suspension is OK.
Pierre
230 sl -64

[J. Huber]

Hey Pierre.

I'd have to say that the real answer must be "they vary." Yours and mine seem similar in height -- and like yours, mine is fairly seasoned. However, I imagine that new front springs (same size) would lift our fronts some but not dramatically.

I have seen others that range from slightly higher in the front to looking like they are doing a "wheelie." I wonder if it has anything to do with the vintage -- (ours being 230s and earlier cars?)

James
63 230SL