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+--- Forum: Suspension (https://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Thread: how much to cut: springs (/showthread.php?tid=3599)
how much to cut: springs - Purplecomputer - 05-01-2012
So im thinking about lowering my car
my plan is to replace the kyb shocks I have in the back and use some HD bilsteins and cut the springs
ive already replaced the subframe mounts and rear differential mount. Would i be wise to just buy brand new springs or do you think my 30+ year old springs are still good?
if so how much should I cut?
I plan to keep the kyb shocks in the front and cut the springs to match the back
RE: how much to cut: springs - larsalan - 05-01-2012
There's a "cut your springs" thread or 2 here but...
I cut like 3/4 coil from my rear and have planned to cut 1 and 1/2 coil off the front. I've just never had time to mess with it since the front is so much more involved.
My rear tires are a touch taller than stock. Anyway, I'm sure new springs are nicer but I'm all for reusing older stuff as long as it's still working.
The word on the street is that the front get more cut than the rear if you want to match. Just because they are like way longer and I guess more soft?
RE: how much to cut: springs - Kozuka - 05-01-2012
It's really about how low you want to go. Wouldn't suggest anything more then 2 coils without shortening the shocks/struts (and your going to eat tires). It probably wont be and even cut from front to back since the weight difference (that heavy engine). Start small until you get the desired effect.
RE: how much to cut: springs - w123love - 05-01-2012
I put 240 coils in the front of my wagon...instant 1.5 inch drop!
RE: how much to cut: springs - sassparilla_kid - 05-02-2012
If I ever cut my springs I'd get spacers or something so I can keep the ride height but have the benefit of stiffer springs
RE: how much to cut: springs - w123love - 05-02-2012
(05-02-2012, 02:50 AM)sassparilla_kid If I ever cut my springs I'd get spacers or something so I can keep the ride height but have the benefit of stiffer springs
The whole reason for cutting springs is lowering the car....
RE: how much to cut: springs - sassparilla_kid - 05-02-2012
Cutting the springs also makes them stiffer, and since I'm sort of tall-ish I just want stiffer springs but the same height car because getting in and out of low cars gets annoying after a while. I would compromise on height however if these cars didn't have a bus/semi sized steering wheel lol
RE: how much to cut: springs - Kozuka - 05-02-2012
(05-02-2012, 05:06 PM)sassparilla_kid Cutting the springs also makes them stiffer, and since I'm sort of tall-ish I just want stiffer springs but the same height car because getting in and out of low cars gets annoying after a while. I would compromise on height however if these cars didn't have a bus/semi sized steering wheel lol
There are steering wheel hub adapters
I would recommend a oil pan guard from the dealer before experimenting with a lowered car. Why can't you just use w126 springs in a w123 for a stiffer ride with stock ride height if they are too tall just cut them make them stiffer.
RE: how much to cut: springs - DeliveryValve - 05-03-2012
(05-02-2012, 05:43 PM)Kozuka(05-02-2012, 05:06 PM)sassparilla_kid Cutting the springs also makes them stiffer, and since I'm sort of tall-ish I just want stiffer springs but the same height car because getting in and out of low cars gets annoying after a while. I would compromise on height however if these cars didn't have a bus/semi sized steering wheel lol
There are steering wheel hub adapters
I would recommend a oil pan guard from the dealer before experimenting with a lowered car. Why can't you just use w126 springs in a w123 for a stiffer ride with stock ride height if they are too tall just cut them make them stiffer.
126 front springs will not fit the w123. Rears will. The only other "readily available" other option is w116 front springs with w116/w126 rear spring combo.
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RE: how much to cut: springs - JustPassinThru - 05-03-2012
@DV: if you have an opinion on this, ...would the W116/W126 front/rear spring combination, uncut, *raise* a W123? Would the car need to be wheel-aligned after doing this?
RE: how much to cut: springs - Kozuka - 05-03-2012
300SD W116 4,000lbs
300D W123 3,582lbs
300SD W126 3,616lbs
If front and rear W116 springs fit it will defiantly give you a lift.
RE: how much to cut: springs - JustPassinThru - 05-03-2012
Hm. Reason I'm curious is, the previous owner did *something* to the suspension of mine; front is one inch higher and rear is 1-1/2" lower than my other 300D which is definitely stock. It sure does ride and handle well. Maybe it has W116 springs in front.
I bought it from a young man from Kentucky, who had bought it from the estate of its local new purchaser just a few months previously. Said his dad and uncles were all moonshiners and he had just put new rear springs and shocks on it. All springs and shocks are black, no identification. I wish he hadn't told me that, because...if you are my age, what instantly comes to mind, thinking about a kid from Kentucky and suspension sweetening, is the 1958 Robert Mitchum movie "Thunder Road" and especially its theme song, which received a lot of airplay in 1962 when I was about 7, see
Movie:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Road
Theme song:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ballad_of_Thunder_Road
Lyrics:
http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiTHUNDRD.html
Every time I have to floor it or pull some swift swerve maneuver, I then have to turn Best of the Doors up loud for a few minutes to clear that song out of my mind.
Recording:
http://djallyn.org/archives/1223
Dangit, now I'm gonna have that song going through my head all day. Misery loves company ;-}
RE: how much to cut: springs - DeliveryValve - 05-03-2012
W123 suspensions are sometimes tricky. Often times if there is supension work and the alignment is slightly off the car can sit higher up front. Another issue in which you alluded to is when the rear supension is also worked on. If the rear supension is lower than the front, due to spring changes and different shocks, it will certainly have an effect on the height of the front by raising it. For starters, I would try changing out the rear spring pad to lower the front some.
In regards to installing w116 spring. Yes it will definitely raise the car. You possibly tell if you have w116 front springs by measuring the wire diameter. W116 springs will 16mm thick. While the typical 300d turbo front spring is 15.8mm thick. The rear 116 spring would be around 17mm while the 300d spring would be around 16mm. W116 springs are taller also, so if you want a stiffer spring and keep the same height on your w123, you'll need to cut them.
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RE: how much to cut: springs - JustPassinThru - 05-03-2012
Thanks muchly. As soon as we get a day when it isn't raining, after I finish getting some things packed and mailed, I'll go out and put the Vernier calipers to them.
RE: how much to cut: springs - Purplecomputer - 05-06-2012
Yeah........I forgot to tell you guys,
Im not going to lower the car.