asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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I'm wanting to lop some coils off my w123, I want to feel more huggy bear than the South African dictator image the current ride height gives me. I have read up that average spring clamps are no good for this job and have to buy genuine merc clamps? Is there any where that rents them out near rugby. any experience dropping a w123. Dos and donts ect mine its a 230ce. Even recomend a place that wouldn't charge the earth to chop em for me. As I wouldn't mind it done by the weekend
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Honestly I wouldn't cut the springs I cut mine and I'd never cut another set... it rode way to hard.it will ruin your shocks...and the mot was a nightmare... I'd get a set of lowering springs..
But if you really wanna do it if your springs have pig tail ends then there not safe to cut as they won't seat... start by taking a half coil of at a time better to take too little off than too much
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,342
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Lowering a mercedes w123mylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
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^^^IGNORE! An '86 Corolla is a very different beast to a W123 Merc springs are enormous and not pigtailed. HOWEVER, they are seriously strong. I followed a thread by UtterPiffle and made some spring clamps from M16 threaded bar and double thickness 1/4" steel plate. They slipped and bent both like a banana. I would 100% use proper compressors if I were to do it again. The proper compressors are internal to the spring and use hardened cups the correct size. Well worth renting a set, or buying and reselling. I believe they are cheaper nowadays linkdo it
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asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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Yeah the w123 is a completely different kettle of fish regarding spring chopping. There are some merc specific ones on ebay for the £70 mark. Just was hoping I could be tooled up by the weekend and get it lowered before it goes for paint on Monday
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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These Mercs respond rather well to spring choppage tbh. I did them on my old W124 coupe (2 coils each corner) and all it did was stiffen the suspension slightly, which just led to better handling. I bought a set of proper spring compressors to do the job and rent them out from time to time to folk on here. They really do make life easier and the job quicker. retrorides.proboards.com/thread/139345/mercedes-telescopic-road-spring-compressor
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asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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How much to rent I'm only in rugby too
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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PM'd
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As above, don't consider doing anything with the springs without the compressors in MyLittleTony's link above. I killed two sets of the normal type just swapping a spring for an MOT. One set bent so badly they had to be cut off (and the spring moved the bench that the vice was attached to when the energy was released) and the other set have just never been the same since, the threads were mashed up after doing them up and undoing them a few times.
A couple of the guys I share workshop space with were stunned at the hassles we had, they're no strangers to swapping and chopping springs though. They all commented that they'd heard horror stories about Benz springs but always thought they were overly dramatic moans.
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Yup, I have a merc spring compressor kit. Well worth it - i knew I would use them numerous amounts of time and not just on my own car! Makes removing and installing springs a doddle. If you're planning on cutting the springs, make sure they're new or fairly new. Nothing worse than cutting some springs you know nothing about the condition of. I did 1 coil off each. Took it down to the level as seen in the pic below. I'm (was) running 225/45/18 up front and 255/35/18 at the rear. brand new springs (standard suspension springs) which i cut.
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Last Edit: Apr 8, 2015 16:19:08 GMT by indyz12
ClassicResto.co.uk - Restoration and maintenance of classic cars - Wolverhampton.
2002 Mercedes E320CDI Estate 1998 Mercedes C240 Sport 1995 Mercedes SL500 1993 Mercedes 500 SEL 1993 Mercedes 500SL - Sold October 2022 1989 Mercedes 300 CE 1985 Mercedes 500 SEC 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera - Sold March 2022 1983 Porshe 944 1978 BMW 1602 1973 Mercedes 350SL
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asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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I'm going to be chopping the old ones first. I have new shocks and springs on the way. But want to see how it it sits with 3 off the front and two off the rear. I have texted you regarding the compressors. First experience with the mercedes brand. But lowered countless cars and never thought they would be under that much tension to bend and snap clamps.
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asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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And as you can see its in need of some lows
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It's already Dave Green... Now you just need to get it Dave Low: *n
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Top grammar tips! Bought = purchased. Brought = relocated Lose = misplace/opposite of win. Loose = your mum
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asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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How many coils were chopped? Looks good
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,342
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Lowering a mercedes w123mylittletony
@mylittletony
Club Retro Rides Member 84
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First experience with the mercedes brand. But lowered countless cars and never thought they would be under that much tension to bend and snap clamps. I was in the same boat and had the help of HARDCORE, we were both unpleasantly surprised!
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How many coils were chopped? Looks good About half of them, I think *n
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Top grammar tips! Bought = purchased. Brought = relocated Lose = misplace/opposite of win. Loose = your mum
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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Yup, I have a merc spring compressor kit. Well worth it - i knew I would use them numerous amounts of time and not just on my own car! Makes removing and installing springs a doddle. If you're planning on cutting the springs, make sure they're new or fairly new. Nothing worse than cutting some springs you know nothing about the condition of. I did 1 coil off each. Took it down to the level as seen in the pic below. I'm (was) running 225/45/18 up front and 255/35/18 at the rear. brand new springs (standard suspension springs) which i cut. My old 300CE. Running exactly the same tyre combination as yours I took 2 coils off each corner on 1 year old new genuine springs
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Last Edit: Apr 9, 2015 9:30:19 GMT by MrSpeedy
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asrat
Part of things
Posts: 88
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So best option is to measure were I want it and cut half of that. Any top tips or anything I need to look out for before I go chop chop
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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It doesn't quite work like that. There is a relationship between spring length and drop, but it's not linear, more of an exponential equation.
Based on my experience (which doesn't include the W123, but does include the W201 and W124) I'd suggest starting at 2 coils for a moderate drop of around 2"
Even if you spend all day chopping at half a coil at a time and testing, it's worth it imo not to cock it up and take too much off!
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