I recently had the Eibach Pro kit springs installed on my 1991 300 SEL (W126). It made the car look great, but ride was really sloppy. The car had the Bilstein comforts originally when the springs were installed. Since the shocks were new, I had left them on. Had Bilstein HDs installed on all four and it still is bouncy. If you push down, the car bounces three or four times after the initial full return before stopping. If you pulse the brakes at a stop, you can see the whole car bounce a couple of inches before settling.

The shop I use pointed out the problem right away and felt the springs were not tempered or the wrong ones. I spoke to both Eibach and Tire Rack who blame the shocks. I have comfirmed all the part numbers to be the correct springs and shocks. After spending $2K on this, I am about worn out.

Any ideas???

-Thanks

Its up to the shock absorbers to dampen the ride & keep the car from bouncing. THIS has nothing to do with the springs!! Perhaps a set of KONI's that you can change the shock dampening would help.

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I'm inclined to agree.
I have the Eibachs and Koni adjustables on my 92 400e and I get no such re-rebound. Push down and there is resistance.It returns up and settles...its a one time thing.
Are they sure they sent you the right springs for the big body benz and not some for an E class. Being undersprung would of course yield similiar results. Good luck

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Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com

I was finally able to track down someone at Bilstein who could advise me on this. I was told that the Bilsteins I had installed were the correct ones for the car, but not for the Eibach springs. The Bilstein HD will not tolerate more than a one inch drop and that the Bilstein Sport was designed for lowering springs. They do not offer a Sport for the W126 chassis. Best bet would be to look into something like the Koni.

Oh well, third set of shocks on their way........

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts with me.

I have Eibachs and HD Bilsteins on my 91 500SL. The ride is very good about 20% stiffer and less body lean at high speed. Sounds to me like you have a bad set of shocks.

Kevin,
Thanks for your input. It could be because the SL is the Jenny Craig of the line (jock with six pack abs ). The SEL was just to fat for those shocks.

I now have the Koni shocks installed, and the car is finally stable and solid. I went with the middle stiffness adjustment. I am considering going to a higher firmness in the rear. For anyone considering these; they are great for handeling and control, but it is definately not a Cadillac ride. It is still smoother and quieter than our new Infiniti G20, but I doubt that some luxury people would approve.

Its funny how different suspensions can be...my point; a 1992 190E 2.6 with Eibachs and new stock Bilsteins were excellent...even after 40,000 miles and 5 years...but maybe you do need the HD dampners with the extra poundage you are carrying...bet it looks BOSS though

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad