Swing Axle

[harleydan]

I want my front end to be lower than my rear end; however, one of my mechanics said that due to the W113 having a swing axle, a lower front end will adversely affect the handling charactersitics where it could be dangerous.  Was anyone heard of this?

I also want the car to be lower all around, at least lower than stock.

Thanks,
Danny
1970 280SL Euro silver 4-speed

[JimVillers]

Danny ..... Bunk.  The front end of my 230SL was lowered a little when I installed 300 lb/in springs.  It handles better and though subtle, it presents a more aggressive stance.

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

[waqas]

I agree with Jim... don't believe everything you hear about the swing-axle. I think the alignment (camber etc) is of greater importance, including all spring/pad adjustments.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[hands_aus]

Hey Danny,
The non-genuine rear springs on my 250sl are too high, so the b*m is up in the air a bit. I have been harrassing my mechanic about it for years. He said I should learn to live with it.
I am waiting for it to 'ride down with wear'.

You know MB has various thickness spring rubber top pads which can be used to adjust vehicle height.

Jim Villers Springs and Shock absorber' presentation mentions the use of rubber washers to increase vehicle height, maybe they could be used to replace the existing spring top pads.

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

[JimVillers]

Bob .... If the height is too high, just cut a linear inch from the spring.  It doesn't take much.

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

[hands_aus]

quote:Originally posted by JimVillers

Bob .... If the height is too high, just cut a linear inch from the spring.  It doesn't take much.

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

Hey Jim,

Thanks for that idea, I had never thought of doing that.

Things on the car seem to be sacrosanct when they shouldn't.

Bit like when I had a Europa 2 stereo radio (great condition, nice chrome), I sold it to a mate because I didn't want to cut the dash metal to fit it and to this day (after about 2 years) I still don't have a FM radio in my car.

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

[harleydan]

Jim Villers,

I have a few questions:

1. If I do cut the springs, do I cut from the top or from the bottom of the spring?  
2. The springs (John Olson) seems to be wound more closely together at the ends of the spring, as compared to the middle portion.  With cutting down one of the ends, will that end still fix properly in the spring pad.
3. With cutting down the springs (say one to two inches, will it provide a noticeably different ride.  

Thanks,
Danny

[JimVillers]

Danny ... You can cut a linear inch or so from ether end.  Remember, a little will do a lot.  You will need to check that the end of the spring fits properly into the notch in the spring pad and in the bottom notch.  The difference in distance between the spring coils is where the progression comes from.  When in compression, a spring coil touches the next coil, it raises the spring rate.

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

[Buz]

You can get spring pads that are thinner from the dealer to adjust the ride height.  Check which pads your car has front and rear and adjust the thickness accordingly to get the height that you want.  There are 6 front sizes from 20 to 32.5mm and 3 rear sizes from 18 to 30mm.  New shocks are a good idea at the same time so that you stay off of the bump stops.  Handling is terrible if you hit a bump stop hard in the middle of a corner or use up suspension travel with body sway.  Bilstein has HD shocks but I do not think they offer a sport shock for the W113.