280SL Ride Height

[n/a]

When new, the 280sl rear stance, appeared to be higher in the rear than front, with the body high above the wheels, and from the rear, the two wheels were canted inward, when empty and light.
Now the car sits very low in the rear, and there is very little wheel cant. Does this mean I need new shocks, springs?? How do I tell what the culprit is?

[blairwag]

Well, unless you are using air-shocks to lift the rear of the car - which the SL's ooriginally did not - and you shouldn't either, then the shocks themselves have very little (if at all) to do with the rear ground clearance (ride height). If you feel the car is sitting down lower than it should, or lower than you like, then the rear springs are undoubtedly the area of initial concerns. Check also all bushings for crushing.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William Blair Wagner: blairwag@earthlink.net
Education is not always knowing the answer,
...but rather knowing where to look for it!
1971 280SL US Automatic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[mulrik]

I had the same concern with my car. Turned out my shock absorbers were broke and that the lower rubber insulaters in the back were also broke. I changed the four shock absorbers into Bilstein originals and the rubber in the back. I measured my vehicle height with hard top on and bang, it was the specified height. So don't worry about the springs it's the other parts of the suspension you should check.
All the best from

'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

[Cees Klumper]

I would check the rubber pads on either end of the springs - both Per and Blair report having replaced these and they do influence the height.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[jeffc280sl]

Don't forget to check the compensating spring pads.  Mine were shot along with the lower rear coil spring pads which are all subject to salt, dirt, rain etc.  The upper pads are protected but over time they can compress some.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[n/a]

Does anyone have the part numbers for the pads, so that I can have my dealer order them before I take it to the shock shop?

[hands_aus]

check the K&K online catalogue under "Suspension", use the OLD catalogue because it gives the correct parts numbers.
http://www.kkmfg.com/

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

[jeffc280sl]

There are several different thickness pads on the rear and front.  Two different thickness pads for the compensating spring.  Spring lots and pads were matched in the factory based on options like A/C, auto versus manual etc. to achieve correct ride height.

All five springs are color coded and you will notice various paint stripes on the mid section of each one.  If you can tell me the number and color of the stripes on your springs I will refer to the BBB to see if I can determine the correct pad part number.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[hauser]

SD280, Did you purchase car this way? If so the previous owner(s) may have fitted it with shorter springs. My 69 has these particular springs shorter stiffer & approx 1" lower. check this out  http://www.geocities.com/tomsargent/Restoation.html   Excellent job Tom!!

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.