I've read the old posts on spring height, and here are my questions:

My '87 300D has a significant amount of negative camber in the rear, I've been attributing it to sagging springs. Old posts suggest that it should be around 15.5" from wheel center to the bottom of the fender lip, I've got around 14.25. The car seems to sit level, I'd like to fix the camber but don't want it to have an abnormal rake to it, so I don't necessarily want to raise the rear without being sure the front is correct.

Measuring along the rocker panel, it seems to be almost an inch lower at the front of the front door than at the rear door rear, Is this normal or should it be raised further in the rear?

I've been considering later 8-hole wheels for the car, and the additional offset will likely increase the negative camber, so I'd like to get it straightened out first.

Also, if it is low in the rear, has anybody tried going with thicker spring pads to help raise it? Sounds like I'm going to find squished 2-bump pads, what about going with 4-bump pads? I'd like to avoid buying springs if I can just do thicker pads.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Switching spring pads should raise the car about 1/2-2/3"

How much negative camber??/ over 2deg?

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

At a glance, easily 2*, likely more like 4.

I've already replaced several links with worn bushings, plus the lower carrier bushing/bearings and the torque rods (new version w/o camber adjustment), not much left to do.

Any down-side to raising it with thicker spring pads? I'd like to avoid spring replacement if possible.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

spring pads are designed to "tune" the ride height depending on weight of car.

No downside other than they might NOT raise the car enough.

They are very cheap & should take less than an hour to install.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Commonly overlooked wear part that will result in neg camber on these 5 link suspensions..


http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=2AO123CS42CB0YDFNQ&year=1987&make=MB&model=300-DT-002&category=L&part=Control+Arm+Bushing

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A Dalton

What are the proper spring pads for the front and rear on my w124 260E?