R170 Rear Springs

[Tony Grice]

My 2003 R170 SLK200K failed it's MOT before Easter due to the rear offside spring found to be broken. A repair was booked in my MB dealer and new parts were ordered to repair both sides. The work was booked for yesterday. In the afternoon I was told that the car was not finished due to a previous job running late! This morning, I got a call to say that the new springs would not fit! Investigation showed that the new ones were incorrect. Apparently there is a colour coding on the springs. As the ones to be replaced were old it was not apparent what the colour was. Finally after further investigation and checks with MB Technical staff, the correct code was identified and new springs have been ordered. Hopefully I'll get my SLK200K back on the road tomorrow.
I post this message to warn R170 owners that have spring problems to ensure that they get the correct colour code from their old springs before ordering new ones. Apparently it depends on what version of R170 you have and it's weight. Best of luck!

 

[LostKiwi]

That advice applies to all MBs with coils.
MB fine tune the springs (both front and rear) to the vehicles according to engine/transmission/equipment/version.

 

[EmilysDad]

Not just Mercedes. ..... other car makers do the same

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

It only takes an hour and a half to do both sides in a dealer where they have a minimum 10 lifts....and a good parts advisor worth his salt can work out the colour codings of the springs in about 5 mins on EPC.

Some dealers really are full of ....

Sounds like they couldn't be bothered or care to be honest...