Need some guidance/recommendations regarding Spring Pads
I'm adding sport suspension to my 1996 E320 and I want to do this right the first time.
I'm considering H&R springs and staggered 18" or 19" wheels. I'm not sure what spring pads are on my car currently. So, I figure the smart move is the buy the pads that I want on the ride and return them if they are already installed.
Can someone make a recommendation?
Any photo examples of the finished product?
MBZ makes different thicknesses of pads really to set the car to a pre-determined range for "proper" OEM ride height.
Until you actually put the springs in you won't know with any realistic exactitude what the drop will be and thus no one can tell you exactly what pads you should install with your springs.
That said, if you simply want the most drop available, you buy a set of single-dots. Otherwise you toss in the springs with what you already have (noting the dots at the time) and then after the suspension settles for a few/several days you can determine whether you'd like it a bit higher or lower and replace the pads accordingly. Remember that anytime you make a significant change in ride height you should have the vehicle realigned. If you drop far enough you'll also need a camber kit; a proper alignment shop should have that. If you have the springs swapped at a good performance shop with a rack, based on the estimated drop they will be able to tell you if the camber kit is needed.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
MBZ makes different thicknesses of pads really to set the car to a pre-determined range for "proper" OEM ride height.
Until you actually put the springs in you won't know with any realistic exactitude what the drop will be and thus no one can tell you exactly what pads you should install with your springs.
That said, if you simply want the most drop available, you buy a set of single-dots. Otherwise you toss in the springs with what you already have (noting the dots at the time) and then after the suspension settles for a few/several days you can determine whether you'd like it a bit higher or lower and replace the pads accordingly. Remember that anytime you make a significant change in ride height you should have the vehicle realigned. If you drop far enough you'll also need a camber kit; a proper alignment shop should have that. If you have the springs swapped at a good performance shop with a rack, based on the estimated drop they will be able to tell you if the camber kit is needed.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
This is the trial and error that I'm trying to avoid. Trial and error costs time and money.
I was hoping to learn from other's experiences being that the car model is 13 years old and it's been done time and time again by other W210 owners with H&R springs. I see what guys are doing with E55s, but their cars have significantly different weight with the bigger engine and all.
I'm looking to hear something like,
"For the E320 using H&R springs, the #X pads on the front and #Y pads on the back are the most common setup. Here are a few pics..."
I don't care what pads are on the car now. My luck being what it is, I'm going to assume that they aren't the pads that are recommended. So, I'm going to buy the pads that are recommended and have them available when the suspension is removed. If pads #X and/or #Y are already on my car, then I'll just leave them on and return the ones I purchased. This way, I only have to pay the have the suspension removed once to get it right and I avoid wasting time and money on trial and error.
So, what is the common #X for the front and #Y for the rear for an E320 using H&R springs?
Got any pics of the finished product?
have you already searched the galleries on both MBWORLD and BENZWORLD?
many have itemized their suspension mods via gallery and forum
you know that the H&R springs will result in a drop of 1-1.5" and it will higher when
new, and then drop over weeks/months until spring sag settles
you'll know that the overall circumference of the tire will always be the same if you
stick with 1%+- recommended range. allowable variations will not show up visually, I opine.
you know that #3 rear nd #2 fronts are standard, for the most part and simple
math will determine + or - if modified, discounting wear variables after determining
your current pad size
for the most part, damper mods are unlikely to change the ride height and wheel
gap
take for example Richard/E320's ride. he's posted that he used H&R and #2 pads.
no damper mod. matters little if it's 17" vs your proposed 19" since it's presumed
you stick with factory recommended overall circumference, plus/minus 1%...which
is a sidewall dif of what, .25"?
all that blather aside, have you try viewing the galleries... or forums for e.g.
"H&R springs" already? this is a highly popular mod
have you already searched the galleries on both MBWORLD and BENZWORLD?
many have itemized their suspension mods via gallery and forum
Yes, I have. But not many (if any at all) mention the springs, wheel size and spring pads used. If you will, show me examples where this *is* the case.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymond-
you know that the H&R springs will result in a drop of 1-1.5" and it will higher when
new, and then drop over weeks/months until spring sag settles
I'm aware of this. I've modded 7 VWs and one Audi over the past 15 years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymond-
you'll know that the overall circumference of the tire will always be the same if you
stick with 1%+- recommended range. allowable variations will not show up visually, I opine.
?
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymond-
you know that #3 rear nd #2 fronts are standard, for the most part and simple
math will determine + or - if modified, discounting wear variables after determining
your current pad size
From what I've read, there is no *reliable* standard. And if there is, how does that fit into my request for real examples, not cocktail napkin calculations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymond-
for the most part, damper mods are unlikely to change the ride height and wheel
gap
Ummm...springs are damper mods. They lower the ride height. Am I missing the point here or are you just wrong?
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymond-
take for example Richard/E320's ride. he's posted that he used H&R and #2 pads.
no damper mod. matters little if it's 17" vs your proposed 19" since it's presumed
you stick with factory recommended overall circumference, plus/minus 1%...which
is a sidewall dif of what, .25"?
all that blather aside, have you try viewing the galleries... or forums for e.g.
"H&R springs" already? this is a highly popular mod
No offense Raymond, but based on this post from the thread you linked to, I can do nothing but conclude that you don't know what you are talking about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymond-
i think #5 is the thickest (ergo lowering about a inch) the max
possible.
#5 is the *thickest* pad meaning MORE gap
#1 is the *thinnest* pad meaning LESS gap
Dude, I've been on this board and had this car less than a week and learned that much.
no offense, taken. i do know what i'm talking about. i just cant type properly when
scratching the dog. that was long since an acknowledged error...old news. but I'll
defer to you....with that 15 yrs experience, you'll figure it out in time.
It is really owrner preference of what you want. I have H&R Springs, with #1 Pads on 18 inch AMG's.....I like the handling and look. What are you after!!!!
Once you change springs and pads, there is really no factory recomendations.....
If they Load:
* Silver is my current E 55 18 inch H&R #1 Pads...Rides great, a little ruff but handles fantastic in corners.
* White was my old E-320 was way too low, many Tire Problems, bounced bad...
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