New Rebuild - Ride Height

[mkbull]

Hello

I know there has been many discussions on ride height and alternative springs etc. I did do a lot of reading before opting for complete stock replacement mercedes parts of standard springs, shocks subframe mounts etc. and had hoped to achieve standard ride height.

I am busy putting the car back together - the wheels are slk 15" alloys and almost exactly same tyre diameter as stock. (the wheels aren't the finished article so dont flame yet)
I have now got drive train fully installed, so most of the weight that is going in the car is now there.
Ride Height at the arches is just under 28" (approx 15.5" centre of hub to wheel arch top) when I believe 26" is closer to correct.

The car looks far too high front and rear, I still have some weight to add as I complete the build but I cant see the ride height coming down enough...I have tried loading the car (bouncing it with a few heavy adults inside) (three 12 stone adults only change the height by a few mm) to compensate for what is still to be added but the ride height still sits way too high.
Everything is new - springs,bilstien shocks, seals etc.etc, (I did use the smallest spring rubbers available).
Obviously several members here have done full suspension rebuilds and I wonder if this has been a common after effect that settles down shortly after use.
will the car lower significantly once driven on the roads for a few hundred miles, or is that wishful thinking. ( not looking forward to taking them springs out again!!)
I would really like to know that I can resolve this problem before I go for final paint and trim.

tried to post pictures but it appears that uploading attachments is not working - Ill try again later

Any advice appreciated
Thanks
Mark

[DavidBrough]

Hi Mark,

My advice would be to wait until the car is all together as there will be considerable extra weight yet to come. My car rides quite high with the hardtop removed and even higher with no fuel in the tank, the factory settings are with the hardtop on and a full tank of fuel. It's also surprising just how far a car will settle into new suspension when first driven after a rebuild. In any event, the ride height measurement is by wheel camber angle and not feet and inches to the arch.

Best of luck

[mkbull]

Thanks for your thoughts on this David.
I understand the way ride height is measured but nevertheless the way it shows up is that gap above the tyre to arch.
I am comforted by your views on settlement after using the vehicle. Someone else has sent me some photos of before and after ie in the shop after getting new springs and a few weeks later and the car seems to have settled a considerable amount I would guess 1.5 to 2inches.
Guess I am just taking no action now and continuing with the rebuild.

Mark