113 Springs Presentation

[JimVillers]

I made a presentation on suspension changes for the 113 and had a number of requests for the web sites that I used.  I used Eibach 15.500.300 springs (15 inches tall, 5 inches in outside diameter and 300 lb/inch spring rate) that is available from  http://www.cvproducts.com/cv/products/brands.aspx?brandID=38 (page 32) for $50 per spring.  I cut about one inch off of the top and bottom coil so that they would sit in the lower control arm "socket" and the upper rubber bushing.  My shock absorbers were Koni Classic adjustable from koni-na.com  http://koni-na.com/display.cfm?mt_id=1&mod_id=0&mak_id=26&submit=Continue front:  80 1415 and rear:  80 1416 ($213 per pair).  The rubber spacer to adjust the ride height was from http://www.mcmaster.com/ Item 9774K48; SBR Rubber Flange Gasket 3" Nominal Pipe, 3-1/2" ID, 5-3/8" OD, 1/8" Thick.  $2.76 per Pack of 6.

For those that have tried to send me an email for the CD, my email address is Jim Villers (my address in the "mail to" of the fourm needs to be corrected.)

Here is the link to the 113 print and SL poster in the "for sale" thread: http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3720

I agree with the other postings, wonder event and good company.

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[Cees Klumper]

Hello Jim - thanks again for your very informative presentation. I know what's in my future as fas as wheels (the alloy ones, 123 part number), Koni shocks and, last but not least, the racing-type (Kevlar plus some other material I already forgot the name of) brake pads. Would you mind also posting the website source for getting those special pads made up?
Jim explained to us that one can take old (or new, does not matter) brake pads to send to a company that will use the metal backings to fuse special racing-spec pad material onto, that will enhance the braking characteristics of your W113.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:the alloy ones, 123 part number

Are these the ones that look like steel wheels?
Any chance of full part # ?

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[mdsalemi]

quote:
Are these the ones that look like steel wheels?
Any chance of full part # ?

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

Yes these are the ones that look like a steel wheel (i.e. require a wheel cover/hubcap)and are ex-diesel sedan

123.400.18.02
Size: 5.5x14

Saves about 20# or more in unsprung weight per corner.  Guys, these would only be of value if you want to maintain the integrity/appearance of the wheel cover look; remember regular "decorative" alloy wheels probably save a similar abount of weight.  However if you are interested in originality these later style alloys of course are not appropriate on a 230/250.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[n/a]

naj

I believe in the original post about the alloy wheels, a slightly different part number was given.  It may have been an 123.400.18.01.  Anyway, it was listed as a 6 inch wheel as opposed to the 5.5 inch width for the 02 wheels.  These wheels require the use of full disc wheel covers as they do not have the knobs for the small hubcap.  I know that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but I prefer the small hubcaps and trim rings.  The wheel cover are my second choice.  In my opinion the "decorative" wheels look out of place on the 113 car.  

As an aside, I was at the spring auto fest in Charlotte NC, and spied what looked to be a pretty good MB wheel cover.  On closer inspection I discovered there where 4 mint condition wheel covers.  I think we finally settled on $40 for the set.  When I got ready to load up the vendor said "You have to take these wheels and lug bolts also."  I did not really want them but I loaded them up and drove home.  When I got home I noticed the wheels seemed exceptionally light.  Closer inspection revealed I had 5 early take off alloy wheels and a full set of excellent lug bolts.    Needless to say I did not trash the wheels.  I do not usually find much MB merchandise at these flea markets but I keep my eyes open as I look for old Ford parts.  Most of the parts are for older Fords and Chevrolets, but there is an occasional good find and many times at a reasonable price.  

Good luck on your quest for alloy wheels.

Iverson

[JimVillers]

Iverson ..... There were two wheels, a 6 inch and a 5.5 inch.  The 6 inch are hard to find, the 5.5 inch rims are "all over".

Many 190SL people use the aluminum disk wheels with the small hubcap.  You can buy the 190 clips that attach to the wheel.  An example  http://www.190slgroup.com/tech/images/rob_car2.jpg

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[JimVillers]

I had some questions about performance brake pads at Blacklick.  

I called my racer supplier, Carbotech Engineering (877-899-5024) http://www.carbotecheng.com/prod-ct-compounds.htm and talked performance brake pads.  It turns out that they have our pads "in stock" (at least the backing plates). The ATE pad was also used on late 60's 911 Porsches and the Girling (mine) pad was used on the XKE Jaguar.  They recommended their Bobcat friction material for street use.  The cost is $109 plus shipping.  

I ordered a set and will write a review of this produce in a few weeks.    I have installed race pads on my other car and the difference is VERY significant.

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[George Davis]

Jim,

thank you for posting the information on Eibach springs and your rubber spacers.  Neat solution.  Just a few days ago I had some rear springs custom made for my car at a cost of $225.  I'm very happy with the springs and they did what I needed, but if I had known about the Eibachs, I might have been able to save a few bucks.

For what it's worth, the custom springs are basically copies of the factory springs, but are 1.1 inches longer than the factory springs (uncompressed) and made from 0.625 inch wire.  These springs change my car's rear camber from about negative 1.5 degrees to positive 1 degree(eyeball estimates).  New factory springs with 30 mm spring pads only got it to approximately 0 degrees (slightly negative).

In a side note, the company that made the springs is Benz Springs, in Portland.  No relation to MB that I know of, but between the name and convenient (to me) location, I figured Fate was sending me a hint.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[JimVillers]

George .... The purpose of replacing my springs was to increase the spring rate to firm up the car's suspension. If you just needed to adjust the ride height, use the rubber rings from McMaster-Carr.  each one is 1/8 inch and they cost $2.65 for six (I didn't think anything was that cheap).

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[hauser]

Jim, I'm not sure if I missed this somewhere but did you do anything with the sway bar?

The various parts you've used on your 230sl would a 250sl & 280sl use the same configuration of shocks and springs?

The pads/spacers from McMasters are they as good as what you'ld get from MB?  I ask this because I believe that quite a few of these cars may still have the original pads.

I know that Tom Sargeant has done quite a bit of experimentation with his suspension.  Did you guys do a comparison between the two?

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[JimVillers]

Hauser ..... Tom drove my car but I did not drive his.  There was not really enough time to do a real comparison.  I also yet made any modifications to the rear suspension.

Everything that I mentioned should be 100% compatible to the 250 and 280SLs.  I have not done anything to the sway bar; mine is very heavy already (22/23mm).

The McMaster-Carr rubber is like a large flat rubber washer, 1/8 inch thick.  It is not intended to replace the upper rubber bushing but to go underneath it to adjust the ride height a little.  The idea is to add as many as needed to provide the adjustment desired.  


Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[Cees Klumper]

Hey Jim - regarding the front sitting too high-low issue, I just came across the following production change note in Gunther Engelen´s book: ´from car 9255, 11 February 1965, changed the front springs to increase the height of the car´. So apparently there are different springs for different 230 SL´s.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic