Mercedes-Benz Forum banner

Lowering the R129 standard suspension

554K views 1K replies 200 participants last post by  Chicky 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello there, I just installed the AMG 18' rims on my 92' 500SL but it needs to be lower, it is just to height, does anybody know the best way to go about it, I heard that MB have a 'height adjustment shims' that vary in height from 8mm to 25mm, should I just replace the shims with a thinner one or just go with new springs. Also, which would be the correct size to lower the car about 1.5'
 
#2 ·
Changing Rear "normal" shocks in 92SL

Tell me I'm mistaken and I really don't have to take out the trunk linings to access the top shock mount nuts for the rear shocks.

I have all the directions and specs, but nowhere does it say how to access the mounting bolt. Since I'm doing the work on jack stands, but to loosen the top nuts you should have the car resting full weight on the wheels, I'm trying to find out just whether I'm taking on too much a project.
 
#3 ·
It's not that hard to take the trunk lining out. Not sure about your model, but I think i...

It's not that hard to take the trunk lining out. Not sure about your model, but I think it wasn't too much different than my 1995.5 SL500.

Yes, the lower control arms (or wheels) should be supported before removing the shock nut. If the car is on jack stands, a jack stand can be placed under the control arm or thereabouts.

-s-
 
#4 ·
Lowering the R129

Hi all,

Thanks to all of you who had help me getting the AMG package on car. Special thanks to Brett, Silver Arrow ....

I plan to lower the car this coming weekend. I've bought the lowering kits from eibach. My questions are, has anyone ever done this before? Was it just a matter of changing the springs? (4 of them). How hard was it to change them? From what I see now, it is just a matter of compressing the springs from the "cups" (I don't know what they are called, look like the cups to me :)))) and take them in and out, is it correct? Did it make the car worse in any ways?

Thanks much in advance for your answers.

Best,
SL
 
#1,358 ·
Lowering the R129 Hi all, Thanks to all of you who had help me getting the AMG package on car. Special thanks to Brett, Silver Arrow .... I plan to lower the car this coming weekend. I've bought the lowering kits from eibach. My questions are, has anyone ever done this before? Was it just a matter of changing the springs? (4 of them). How hard was it to change them? From what I see now, it is just a matter of compressing the springs from the "cups" (I don't know what they are called, look like the cups to me :)))) and take them in and out, is it correct? Did it make the car worse in any ways? Thanks much in advance for your answers. Best, SL
I can’t seem to find the lowering kit. Do you have a link to the kit u bought?
 
#5 ·
RE: Lowering the R129 with Eibach

SL,

Glad to hear the upgrades are coming along nicely.
I purchased my car with Brabus accessories, including a lowering kit. From what I am told, you merely have to change the springs to shorter ones, although it is reasonable to think that you may have to change the shocks also. Unfortunately I don't have any information on how to make this change.
One quick comment though, I run 18" BBS RS II on the car; 8.5" wide on the front & 10" wide in the rear, when making a left turn on a rough road / incline - I rolled the front of the drivers fender slightly. What happens is the rim grabs the inside of the front fender and bends the metal down, in my case I could rebend it into place with no damage but I have heard of worse cases.

Keep us posted.


Brett

Hi all,

Thanks to all of you who had help me getting the AMG package on car. Special thanks to Brett, Silver Arrow ....

I plan to lower the car this coming weekend. I've bought the lowering kits from eibach. My questions are, has anyone ever done this before? Was it just a matter of changing the springs? (4 of them). How hard was it to change them? From what I see now, it is just a matter of compressing the springs from the "cups" (I don't know what they are called, look like the cups to me :)))) and take them in and out, is it correct? Did it make the car worse in any ways?

Thanks much in advance for your answers.

Best,
SL

[/QUOTE]
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
RE: Lowering the R129 with Eibach

Brett,

It is strange that your 18" x 8.5" would hit the fenders. I thought even Mercedes recommended (and in fact offered with their AMG wheels). I used to put 255/40/18 on my fronts and had the same problem. But, after I switched it back to 245/40/18, I had no problem. I've heard some people put 18" x 11.5" in the rear (for R129, of course) !!!

I made a mistake by buying the aftermarket side skirts. They came without holes and would not fit exactly. I ordered the front and rear bumpers from original AMG though, they looked just fine.

It has been raining for like 3 straight days now (and will be for another 2 days). I will try to post some pics after this coming weekend. Check back later for pics.

Have a great one everyone and once again, thanks for your help Brett.


Best,
SL
 
#7 ·
Need Help Choosing Suspension!

Hi All!

Decided to facelift my stock (1995 Nov) SL320 to the AMG silver arrow look.

Does anyone know how low AMG suspension lowers the car? Should i be looking at eibach and bilstein instead if i want to save on cost? Are they just as good?

In Singapore, the AMG Suspension costs nearly nearly 4 thousand dollars. eibach and bilsteins systems are a quarter of that price.

Any advice?
 
#10 ·
RE: Need Help Choosing Suspension!

Please do let me know how hard it is to replace the springs. If you have to bring to the shop, who could do it? And how much it would cost changing 4 springs. I asked around but people seem to scare of mercedes. I wouldn't ask the dealer because they would charge too much. Thanks in advance.
 
#11 ·
RE: Lowering the R129 with Eibach

I had a similar problem with my 18x8.5 AMG replica without even using a lowering kit! I solved mine by using just a little bit smaller wheel spacer at the front.
 
#13 ·
RE: Lowering the R129 with Eibach

You can search them all over the internet, just put in the key word for "spring" or if you know the brand, add it on to your search.

Keep in mind that dealer will charge you around $700 USD to install them (that was what they told me). Regular shop might not have the tool to compress air.
 
#14 ·
#17 ·
RE: Lowering the R129 with Eibach

Change both would make it better. When the car is lower, it looks sportier but I don't know if it worth the money. The cost to change both including labor would be around 25% the cost of your car now! so ask yourself to see if it's worth it.
 
#18 ·
Lowering - pros and cons?

My SL500 droops by about 1.5cm at the driver's side front wheel. Although that doesn't seem much, I can see when looking from the front that the whole car is slightly settled to the driver's side, and it bugs me. It is also harder to get my hand in the wheel arch for cleaning there.

According to my local MB shop, this problem is reasonably common, but they recommend all springs be changed instead of just the offending one. Something to do with an even balance wear.

So I thought about getting a lowering kit instead of the standard springs.

Does anyone know:
- how much lower do these springs take the car down?
- any difference in ride?
- what brand is best?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/SLsigsmall.jpg" border=0>
 
#19 ·
RE: Lowering - pros and cons?

I went for Eibach. The springs themselve cost me around $320 (you can certainly get cheaper nowaday). The installation cost me around $800 from the "stealer"! [:0]. It lowers the car around 2/3 of an inch front and rear.

I didn't notice any diff in my ride but you need to be slow on those bumps/humps.

After few months, alignment needs to be done as well.

So, if I can find a cheaper labor guy, I will do my 95' as well. Go for it m[8]
 
#20 ·
RE: Lowering - pros and cons?

Yeah, I heard Eibach is one of the best. I'm thinking of changing mine too. But like you said, I have to slow down for bumps, and we got a lot of them here. I like the looks of a lowered SL. Here's a photo of a SL with lowered suspension. It looks great. I don't know if it's practical though.
 

Attachments

#21 ·
RE: Lowering - pros and cons?

lnguyenh,
That's good news about the prices and ride, although 2/3 inch lower doesn't seem much. The photo by Aziz shows the SL sitting really low on the wheels, whereas mine and most others I've seen have a gap of about 2 inches (when viewed directly from the side at wheel level).

Is that your impression - that your car gives the appearance of sitting really low like the photo?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/SLsigsmall.jpg" border=0>
 
#22 ·
RE: Lowering - pros and cons?

Aziz,

Yes, we have some speed bumps too, but my main concern is steep gutters... at our house and my MB dealer the gutters are low and I have to go in at an angle even with my normal suspension. I hate to think what another inch or so lower will do.

Ken Silver
--------------
1999 Mercedes SLK, 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas).
 
#23 ·
RE: Lowering - pros and cons?

Unfortunately, that's one of the disadvantages of owning a sport car. You always have to have your eyes well ahead of you. But I love how a low-suspension car looks. [;)]
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top