460 rear springs?
Hi there,
My G has served me very well since I purchased it approx six months ago, it's my third over the last few years,one GD,one three door 280 and now a five door 280. I noticed last week that the front tyres were wearing on one edge more than others so spent an hour swapping tyres around to even wear front and back. Whilst on the jacks, and stands, part of one of the rear springs fell out! and on checking the other I now know I have two broken rear springs ! A common problem I believe , so can anyone help, where can I get new replacements, and can I get Heavy Duty ones. Even with two broken springs it drives better that A R**** R**** or Dis****** ! My G has got a genuine 83,000 miles on the clock and for a twenty year old 4X4 is very clean and tidy.
Thanks for your help.
Andy Jones.
Whilst writing and on the subject of suspension , the front suspension is a bit "bouncy", does this mean new shockers and if so where can I get those as well ?
I just had all four springs and shocks replaced on my 280GE LWB. I had a shop around for different sources and ultimately bought my parts through a Mercedes specialist. Bear in mind that in terms of springs, you should probably stick with the OEM springs because of the varying spring rates for the LWB, SWB and the different engines. Also, their life may be a lot longer because they are TUV approved whereas local supplier that supply springs at discount prices may not meet the same standards. Since shocks are things they will last a while in a car and effect the ride/handling significantly, it is best to buy some quality springs that last longer.
In terms of heavy duty springs, I may leave comments on this for fellow members who use them. I've heard that for everyday use, it makes the ride real stiff!
As for the shocks, the ride on mine was quite bouncy and it turned out that three of them were blown. If you go over a bump or push down on the car, the shocks should be changed if the car rebounds more than once. You will find that the car stays a lot more level around corners once you have them replaced because the car definitely feels more stable with my new shocks (and spings). In terms of brands, once again, i'm running on Bilstein's at the moment although other common applications include Sachs, etc. I got these from my Mercedes specialist but most retailers can order G-specific ones given time.
Good luck with the suspension! You'll notice a huge difference in ride and stability! :D
Whilst on the jacks, and stands, part of one of the rear springs fell out! and on checking the other I now know I have two broken rear springs ! A common problem I believe , so can anyone help, where can I get new replacements, and can I get Heavy Duty ones.
Hello Andy,
I've just been through the same ordeal. My purpose was to fit new springs all around to lift my truck about 40mm. I found that one of my rears was broken also. There is a plastic sleeve at either end of the spring, the purpose of which is to eliminate squeeking and creaking of the springs. Unfortunately they trap water and salt and can contribute to the premature demise of the springs.
The availability of OEM springs is becoming an issue. I had to settle for used ones for my job. I have learned a lot in the process, some of which might be relevant to you. The OEM springs are progressive. The actual rod that they are wound from is tapered, narrower at both ends than it is in the middle. Finding the right combination is a matter of trial and error. I used some spring rate charts to get me in the ballpark for my lift. The MB springs have colored stripes at one end to differentiate them. My investigation led me to believe that I needed yellow-orange springs all the way around. They are not available new, but luckily I was able to borrow some with the option to buy them if I liked them. Once installed, I took the truck for a lengthy test drive. It drove very well. Predictable steering, no driveline vibration. And the ride height in front is just where I hoped it would be. The rear is a different story. With those springs, the truck sits perfectly level, but that is with no rear seat, no cargo, and an empty fuel tank. If I load the vehicle, it will be low astern. Not what I want. So I swapped out the yellow-oranges in the rear for some lilac striped springs, which are meant to carry more load and are somewhat stiffer.
Here's the part than applies to your situation. When I took the truck for a test drive with the lilac springs in the rear, it was very apparent that the rear springs were stiffer than the front. The effect is that when making tight turns under braking the nose wants to dive a little, and it gives the disconcerting feeling that the inside rear wheel is going to come off the ground. I don't believe that would happen, but the ride gives that impression just the same. The lilacs also give a somewhat harsh and bouncy ride in back. I'd like to try the brown-striped springs, which lay between the yellow-orange and lilac on the spring chart. As yet, they are unobtainium. My alternate plan is to go back to the very sweet riding yellow-oranges in back, incorporating the use of a rubber spacer to get the lift I want. My point to you is that if the exact spring you want is unavailable, you might be able to get away with the next stiffer spring, but if you have to go two steps up, the ride of your truck may be compromised. Likewise, mixing OEM springs in front with aftermarket springs in back may have undesireable results.
Don't pay too close attention to the stripe colors I'm using. I have a cabriolet, so the springs are lighter all around than on your LWB.
Sources for springs:
http://www.orc.de
http://www.extrem-motorsport.de/
The feedback I've received is that the springs from ORC are stiff and also lift the vehicle. Extrem offers springs in medium duty and heavy duty.
Check availability of OEM springs here:
http://wwwsg.daimlerchrysler.com/Projects/wi/cda/etpl?etpl_lang=01
http://www.speed-autoteile.com/
I hope that helps.
- Spalding
Hi Andy, sounds like you have quite a track record with G's - welcome to the forum.
Springs are available from ORC.de, or of course Mercedes or Bill Moss in Daventry does some uprated versions which I will soon be fitting to my SWB. If you are going to order original equipment then check the colour of yours before you head over to Merc - there will be a stripe on the spring somewhere near the top, the colour denotes spring strength. I think there might also be a club contact for springs: no doubt someone else will advise if there is.
The bouncy front certainly suggests your front dampers have had it. Though many people call them shock absorbers, they are actually there to dampen the action of the springs which, along with the tyres, are the real shock absorbers. Once they have passed their best, the coil spring becomes increasingly uncontrolled and so you get a springy/bouncy ride. Regarding replacements, Koni's are pretty good, that's what will be going on mine with these new coils.Also worth bearing in mind that even when only one damper is gone, you should always change dampers in pairs across an axle.
Interesting that you say even with the springs gone the ride is better than a RR or similar. One of the rear springs on my SWB is cracked (maybe even both), but on Sunday I had 450kg of dry plaster in the boot of the truck, plus then I hooked my LWB on using Bill's A-Frame and towed it 12 miles back to my house. Though the play in the steering almost had us off the road a few times (worn idler arm; will fix it one day), and the rear tyres were probably down 10/12 psi on what they should have been, she kept moving and didn't bat an eyelid dragging all that weight whilst well under the weather. They are fantastic vehicles.
Cheers and post some pics of your G if you get time.
JG
I would love to know if any one has Original rear Springs on any G over 10 years old.
My 280 GE has the original springs, still in good shape. Perhaps that is because the truck was imported to southern California when it was only a year old and has led a relatively dry life.
- Spalding
My 280 GE has the original springs.
- Spalding
Sorry if my post stepped on a few of your points there Captain, started replying before your first post appeared :oops:
I would love to know if any one has Original rear Springs on any G over 10 years old. Replaced mine about two years ago, they crack at the top. .
Originals still on my SWB 1988 300GD!! Reckon I'd better go and look at them!!
FDS
Hi Captain Spalding .
Where do i get the srping chart that everyone talks about - I'm just about to renew all of mine on a 280 GEs and it would be nice to know thw OE specs - Also is there a chart showing the ride heights for the car and measuring points.
I compared mine to a LWB my front was up and my rear was down ( sounds like a gag from Carrry on Movie !)
Cheers everyone
Jimmy Mac
Hi, try this link
http://www.mb-g.de/gdaten/thread.php?id=136&mark=136#136
Chers Smithy,
That link did the trick - I'll spring off now and scan that over my porridge
Jimmy Mac
snapper check you PM :lol:
Scorpion Racing in London supply shock absorbers & springs for G Wagens. they have standard, uprated & adjustable shocks, & they will build springs to your requirements. The best way is to send the original spring, along with the measurements they ask for, along with any difference in required ride height. I had a set made & the on road ride is just as good (no discernable increase in body roll), but it has a much smoother ride off road. their telephone number is 07000 332272.
Thanks BJ,
Can You remember how much they were ? _ I'm talking to King springs here in OZ
and they will design a rear set for £110 but it may be a bit of a guess. They make a really good set for LWB G's but he SWB is lighter and shorter etc
So it might be worth getting a set from Scorpion,
Cheers and thanks again for your interest,
Jimmy Mac
theres a company that advertise in ou rclub magazibe who supply springs for around £39 each. Haven't got mag handy so cant give you number. Pretty good service on delivery. Some one help with the number please
here take a look at this one. http://www.atozmotorspares.co.uk
I have just ordered new springs and shocks for a LWB 300GD.
Shocks were QH Lipmesa
http://www.qha.com/html/brands/lipmesa.htm
Springs were GKN
http://www.gknservice.de/PCP/e/pcp_pr_federtech_e.html
These companies have been in business for decades and supply to all the major vehicle manufacturers, appears that parts are to MB specs.
They make a lot more parts for the G, including CV Joints etc
Prices are in the lower end, and quality seems O/K, I will post a report once I have installed and tested them.
Hunting-G
Hi,
Ordered New Springs from MR Holland and delivered quickly, excellent service from MR Holland who were very helpful, not expensive and when unpacked found to be Monroe manufactured so should be OK. All I need to do now is fit them so big Christmas Day lunch first !
Anybody out there changed their spings themselves and any advice ?
Thanks
Andy Jones.
Andy,
Try this article, it is very good , but go and buy a spring compression tool and a strap wrench to make life easier.
http://www.clubgwagen.com/gtech.php?pageTitle=tech%20article&sid=item&ti...
Enjoy your Xmas
Hunting-G
Hello Hunting G,
Thanks for your response, article very helpful, printed out and will have greasy thumb and fingerprints over it during next two weeks !
What better way of spending a frosty winters morning than lying under a G !
Are both your G's the same colour or is one white, one cream ? Mine is metallic dark blue but I have always thought the brilliant white colour is best. Previous G was Metallic Red and first one years ago was brick (Ayers Rock colour or is it called something else now?) red colour which was good because the rust did'nt show up too much !
Have a good Xmas (hot I guess) and New Year.
Thanks again
Andy Jones.
Hey Andy,
Glad, you could use it.
You picked it, one white and one cream coloured.
Prefer the cream, but white is good, my mates call it a mobile 5 door fridge/freezer.
Have fun with the springs etc, it's never as easy as it looks, do the CRC a couple of days before to make it better, less agro and swearing that way.
We don't use Ayres Rock Red, I think that colour would be "Dingo Dick Red", enjoy and stay warm.
Mal
(Hunting G)
Gooday All and Hunting G !
Happy New Year to you all and and trust it's a good G one.
Thank you for your comments and advice including very useful tech guide to replacing G rear springs. It took me about two hours yesterday afternoon to change both rear spings with MR Holland supplied new ones and the difference is just noticeable in a less bouncy ride and better stance in corners as well as a corrected ride height at rear.
Both rear springs taken off (original ones I guess) were snapped off at both top and bottom so in all I removed SIX bits of springs ! and the removed main spring sections were a good four or even five inches shorter than new ones so I am pleased with result. There is quite a lot of rust around the lower spring seat collars on the axle (does anyone know if this corrosion is usual and what jolly old MOT man may think of this when the time comes ?).
Anyway with a complete set of new Avon Ranger tyres, new dampers on front and new springs on rear the G is handling better than ever before. Thanks again Andy Jones.
Just changed both original rears on my 460 lwb, not broken but VERY tired, fitted spuriuos springs that i have in stock & they work well. Give me a bell if you need any.
Check mac 4x4 challenge in main chat section, am sure the topic is close to many of our hearts.
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I would love to know if any one has Original rear Springs on any G over 10 years old. Replaced mine about two years ago, they crack at the top. As I remember OE were a lot money and pattern ones which so far have proved fine abot £60-70 fo the pair, good supplier in tne Club mag. Also fitted Blistein's a really stable ride on smaller roads.