[Pancho]

Can springs be installed upside down (accidentally) ???

Can springs be installed upside down (accidentally) ???

A few months ago, I replaced my front LCA'a, and also replaced with new front springs. Did nothing to the rears. All stock OEM configuration, not lowered, just stock. As prep for the job, I read many, many postings, and never came across any comment or info Re. a top or bottom to a spring, or any info that they could be installed upside down. I did notice that each one had an unexplained red dot on it somewhere. Recently, I read somewhere about installing springs "backwards".

I know that progressives can be installed upside down, but I don't know if the stock OEM springs are progressive.

Question:
Is it possible to install stock OEM springs upside down on a year 2000 CLK430 Cabriolet?

If my springs are upside down, then will pull them and put them in correctly, but don't know if this is an issue or not.

Does anyone have any experience or info regarding this spring upside down issue ?

 

[A1EK]

Hi Pancho

I discovered that you can install springs upside with no issues by mistake!

When I was installing my Eibachs the rear sat a little too high, so I had to play around with different spring pads to get it just right (The rears springs are easy to work on as you get remove the springs without special tools). So I finally got the rear height perfect but noticed that on one side the car sat higher then the other.? I knew the pads I used were equal so I checked the springs and realised in my haste I had installed the left spring upside down. ( I could see the Eibach Logo the wrong way up ). The reason it made the car sit higher was because the bottom of the spring had a different end winding then the other side so it sat higher up in the resess on the cars arm.

So basically the springs behave the same suspension wise any way up, just ensure they ares sitting securley in their mount whether you have progressive or stock, but as for installing the stock ones upside down I have'nt tried. but would image it would install possible higher from my experience.?


The question is why do you want them upside down? if you want to adjust the height then try pads first.

 

[Pancho]

I don't want them upside down. I want them installed correctly. Will edit my post to include the word "accidentally".

In June, when I installed the springs & LCA's, I didn't notice any difference in the windings at either end of the spring. I recall that the end windings fit nicely into the forming of the upper rubber spacer, and into the lower forming of the steel seat in the LCA. The coils seemed equally spaced, unlike a progressive spring, so, I don't believe the stock springs are progressives. Would like some definitive info that the OEM stock springs are symmetrical, and have no designated top or bottom.

Thanks for your response.

PS. Installed motor mounts and trans mount and center link. Am awaiting delivery of shocks before I get it aligned, and while surfing the web, saw a posting Re. backwards spring, so need to have some definitive info that the OEM stock springs are symmetrical, and have no designated top or bottom.

 

[dlbehrns]

Ask a MB mechanic at the dealership.

 

[Mercedes mechanic]

I don't want them upside down. I want them installed correctly. Will edit my post to include the word "accidentally".

The tops should be ground flat (factory) so that the top of the spring and the pad sit flat. That's how you tell.

 

[Pancho]

Ask a MB mechanic at the dealership.

Brilliant. Good grief.

 

[Pancho]

The tops should be ground flat (factory) so that the top of the spring and the pad sit flat. That's how you tell.

No. My pads, original to the car are not flat. They are deliberately formed with an inclined recess to accommodate the curvature and radius of the spring. They fit the top of the spring like a glove.

 

[Mercedes mechanic]

No. My pads, original to the car are not flat. They are deliberately formed with an inclined recess to accommodate the curvature and radius of the spring. They fit the top of the spring like a glove.

The spring fits correctly into the LCA?

 

[A1EK]

The tops should be ground flat (factory) so that the top of the spring and the pad sit flat. That's how you tell.

This is incorrect I think.
In my original springs and Eibachs Pro -lowering springs there is no flat part to either end of the spring. The pads that sit at the top of the spring has a exact footptrint that the end of the spring sits into. You can fit the springs without pads like me if you are trying to drop the back down, but this is a different subject.

To know the correct way up for my Eibachs springs is the progressive end were the springs is tighter sits at the top.

 

[Pancho]

This is incorrect I think.
In my original springs and Eibachs Pro -lowering springs there is no flat part to either end of the spring. The pads that sit at the top of the spring has a exact footptrint that the end of the spring sits into. You can fit the springs without pads like me if you are trying to drop the back down, but this is a different subject.

To know the correct way up for my Eibachs springs is the progressive end were the springs is tighter sits at the top.

A1EK: Ditto. You are correct. My original OEM pad is the same as yours.

Mercedes Mechanic. The spring is in the LCA seat correctly. The LCA has a specifically formed seat for the spring, which, like the upper pad, is inclined and dimensioned to the spring, with a formed stop which abuts to the coil end.

So, would anyone agree with the following statement:
It is impossible to install upside-down, a OEM stock CLK W208 spring in a CLK W208.
if no, then, why ?

 

[A1EK]

A1EK: Ditto. You are correct. My original OEM pad is the same as yours.

Mercedes Mechanic. The spring is in the LCA seat correctly. The LCA has a specifically formed seat for the spring, which, like the upper pad, is inclined and dimensioned to the spring, with a formed stop which abuts to the coil end.

So, would anyone agree with the following statement:
It is impossible to install upside-down, a OEM stock CLK W208 spring in a CLK W208.
if no, then, why ?

No Disagree you CAN install upside down as I first mentioned I did this by mystake thats hwo easy it is as both end of the spring are similar but I think the top end has a slightly different ending to it which in my case made my car sit higher on that side.

 

[spatlese44]

I did my front suspension last year and passenger side rear lower control arm and spring about a month ago. Hard to remember a year ago, but I don't recall and orientation differences and would concur that pad and control arm accept the identical geometry of both ends of the springs. It's possible that the other post indicating a difference in height was having a problem with the pad being turned, which would make a difference. Just my two cents as I don't have a definitive answer. I think I did have to "reinstall" a spring to get it to sit right.

Curious what you guys are using for a spring compressor and as jacking and jack stand points. I jack from the control arm and place a giant block of wood under the rubber pad. Very stable and safe. As for the spring compressor, I used ZDMAK MK-1801. I was excited to use this tool, but ultimately was a little dissapointed. The video they show makes it look easy to use, but I had trouble with the spring shifting and getting cocked sideways a little. I have not contacted them about this and it may work better with different models that have different springs, but from what I saw, they need to redesign the platters to fit the spring better.

 

[Pancho]

Aiek is talking about Eibach springs, and rear springs.

I am talking about OEM stock front springs, and I do not think that the springs can be installed up side down. I cleaned my wheel sensors on Sunday, and took the opportunity to give my springs a very close look, following the coils with a flashlight beam, and I still have the old springs sitting in a corner of my garage. The springs in my car and on my garage floor, neither seem to have a discernible difference in the winding at either end, nor do they have a progressive winding. They look to be simple and symmetrical springs--no top or bottom. I don't think that these springs can be installed upside down, since they don't have a specific up-side or bottom-side.

I lifted my car with a floor jack and put it on jackstands, having the vehicle about 18" above the garage floor. I used a knock-off of the MB coil spring compressor. You can get then on ebay for about two bills. It was a bit unwieldy, and, I agree, not as easily handled as the Youtube video would suggest. Still, it compressed and pulled the spring in a safe and practical manner. It was a big help.

 

[davidclk]

pancho....one question for you:
1.Looking at the wheel,in what side is the wheel sensor located?...cause i want to clean them too
2.... also have a look at the springs,although i don't know when it is time to change them ?
tks

 

[Pancho]

pancho....one question for you:
1.Looking at the wheel,in what side is the wheel sensor located?...cause i want to clean them too
2.... also have a look at the springs,although i don't know when it is time to change them ?
tks

David,

Re.: Springs
I don't think you ever have to change the springs. I only changed mine because, as I was replacing a failed LCA, I noticed a spring was also broken, so I changed broken stock springs, for new OEM stock springs.

Re.: Sensors
It's on the other side from the caliper.
Here's a link to an instructional on cleaning the front sensors, which I made on another forum:
Instructional: Cleaning Speed Sensor, Year 2000 CLK430 Cabriolet - MBWorld.org Forums

 

[davidclk]

Thanks Pancho...i knew that the springs shouldn't be changed unless something major. but seeing that some changed them i was curious...anyway the speed sensor pictures tutorial is good so i wil try to attempt it...

tks

 

[liquidusculade]

the stock springs should have a dot indented in one of the ends. i believe if i remember right that this end goes on the control arm, however i dont think that with the stock springs it really matters which end is up. i just made sure they were all installed in the same direction.

wis says that the part number and DC trademark are stamped on the lower last coil on each spring.

but like i said i dont think the orientation really matters much.

 

[Pancho]

the stock springs should have a dot indented in one of the ends. i believe if i remember right that this end goes on the control arm, however i dont think that with the stock springs it really matters which end is up. i just made sure they were all installed in the same direction.

wis says that the part number and DC trademark are stamped on the lower last coil on each spring.

but like i said i dont think the orientation really matters much.

Now, that is interesting. Next time I'm there, I going to give the springs another look. Very interesting & good info. Thanks.

 

[liquidusculade]

i think when they say "stamped" they are referring to the sticker with the part number and logo on it. i dont remember anything actually in the metal.

 

[Pancho]

Oh, a paper thing. Typical MB.