83 300 SD rear suspension

May 31, 2006 11 Replies
R

I have an 83 300 SD. I have noticed that the rear end seems to be drooping and since I am parting out an 81 300SD that doesn't appear to have this problem, I was wondering the best way to deal with this.



Looking at the underside, it appears that the rear is supported on a sub-frame that carries the A arms. Is the best way to replace the saggy springs to just drop the sub frame and remove the whole unit complete?



Or is there something else that could be causing the rear of the car to droop?



I do not see anything going to the shock absorbers that seem to adjust things, an I missing something here?



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T

Springs rest in hard rubber pads which come in various thicknesses (heights). Could be that a pad is wrong or missing.

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T

Old spring will sag... especially in the rear. You might want to consider replacing the springs on all 4 corners. Eibach makes a good comfortable springs for W126 because I installed it... Car is definitely lower but rides so nice and smooth. Steering is sharp.

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R

So what is the easy way to R&R the springs?

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T

There is no easy way... the proper spring compressor makes the job a whole lot easier. You treat the compressed spring as if it were a missile.

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R

It may need new rubber. It may need new springs. It may need both. Given the age of the car any original rubber is now toast, time to rip the whole thing apart and renew it if you plan on keeping this car for a while.

If not, what color is the interior? :-)

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R

Order CORRECT springs.

Get CORRECT spring compressor.

Replace. It's quick and easy with the right tool.

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T

Yes it still does.. you know why? Because all this time... the weight of the car is on the springs... which will compress... weaken over time... and sag.

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R

Sure. Metal wears, rubber ages and collapses. Springs lose complience (which is why there's a test in the manual for this).

The car is near a quarter century old and may need some new parts.

My guess is shot springs and/or worn springpads.

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