I thought I'd add a quick postscript to this thread. MB-SV, when you suggested that the reason my front wheels were higher than pre-install was because they had put the rear springs on the front, I thought it was crazy that a shop could screw up something like that. Well, you were right. It was confirmed today by my dealer. It turns out that the front and rear springs have the same diameter so it is possible to install them the other way around. Of course, they are completely different lengths so you would think it would be obvious which should go where. Incidentally, putting the front springs on the rear wheels actually gives the back about an 1.5" drop without dramatically affecting the ride. Maybe an option for someone just looking to lower the rear. As for me, I've had enough of this whole experiment and am ready for things to go back to where they were.
On a separate note, my dealer mentioned something about doing a ride height adjustment. Has anyone done that before?
On a separate note, my dealer mentioned something about doing a ride height adjustment. Has anyone done that before?
Find out what they mean by that (above). That might be a good solution with no impact on ride and handling quality. Since you have a steel spring (non-airmatic) version, it might have something to do with spring mounting pads or isolators.
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2008 Mercedes C300 Sport mars red/black
2007 Lexus IS350 Sport granite metallic/gray
2004 Porsche 986S seal gray metallic/black/black
2002 Jeep KJ Sport white/gray
Here's one last twist for this thread. I took my ML to another tuner shop this weekend to have my springs switched from front to back. When they took the wheels off, they said there was nothing wrong with the setup. They pointed to the fact that the thicker (presumably stronger) springs were on the front as they should be since they need to support the weight of the engine. MLs have four springs, two of which have thicker coils and are shorter than the others. I told them that my dealer said they were on wrong, but they suggested I get a second opinion just in case. I went to a different dealership and the service advisor agreed with the tuners saying that the thicker springs should be on the front. He brought out the shop foreman who said that it was impossible to install the springs backwards. They said the only way to know for sure was to put the car on a rack and look it over for which they wanted $125. I finally decided to just take a look at a couple MLs that were on the lot and, sure enough, the thinner springs were on the front. I went back to the tuner shop and, after about 3 hours of labor and several questionnable looks from the mechanic, the car was finally back to normal. The wheel height was the same as before and the car rode just like it did a month ago.
The one thing I'd note to everyone following this thread and considering having lowering springs installed, make sure your shop knows to put the thinner springs on the FRONT. It's clearly counterintuitive as evidenced by the four different people who thought adamantly it was the other way around. When the springs were switched back, there was no more bounce which makes me think the H&Rs weren't properly installed to begin with and wonder what the ride would've been like if they had. I'll leave that for someone else to figure out because, after $750 and 15 hours of waiting, I'm happy for things to be back the way they were. Knock on wood.
1. What an expensive adventure. Thanks for sharing the info, so that we can avoid the same experience.
The mechanic's logic that the thicker springs should go on the front is weak. ML's have nearly 50/50 weight distribution (probably closer to 52%/48%). Regardless that's the wrong way to guess what goes where. There are certain springs (and part numbers) that go on the front, and certain springs that go on the back.
2. Too bad your lowering springs were installed backwards. No wonder the ride quality was seasick-inducing. Too bad you never were able to see how the ride and handling was with springs installed correctly.
The only mod I have at this point is a set of 20" wheels. I went with the TSW Jarama wheels in gloss black with a chrome lip (to go with my black on black car). The 20s have made the ride marginally stiffer, but are well worth it for anyone looking to change the look of their ML without losing the smooth MB ride.
BTW, I still have the H&R lowering springs mentioned above. PM me if you're interested in them.
The only mod I have at this point is a set of 20" wheels. I went with the TSW Jarama wheels in gloss black with a chrome lip (to go with my black on black car). The 20s have made the ride marginally stiffer, but are well worth it for anyone looking to change the look of their ML without losing the smooth MB ride.
BTW, I still have the H&R lowering springs mentioned above. PM me if you're interested in them.
No thanks, I'll pass on lowering springs of any sort.
I'm running 19" Mandrus wheels on my ML with Toyo Proxes ST tires 255/50/19. Ride is only marginally firmer. I think the ML works well with 19" and 20" wheels, which are OEM-sized options.
Post a pic of the TSW wheels on your ML when you get a chance.
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