W211, Suspension 3cm lower on one side ... Why?

[james2747]

W211 E270 Cdi 2004 97,000 miles
The drivers side suspension sits approx. 3cm lower than other side.
Have had both shocks and springs off for thorough checking.
Both shocks had firm and smooth resistance over full travel of piston rod and the spring seat settings were identical (circlip in the top groove on both shocks).
Springs were same length (+ or - a couple of mm, as best as I could measure them).
All bushes and ball joints are in good condition.
None of the suspension components have any physical damage and are not bent.
Chassis is not twisted or distorted as I've measured across suspension turrets and all is symmetrical.
The springs are not Merc originals as there are no colour bands on them and when I got the car, 15 months ago, service records showed they were fitted in 2009.
The only thing I can think off is that the springs may be of different strengths. I don't have any evidence to support why this should be, but would this cause one side to sit lower than the other?
If anyone has got any other suggestions as to what could be causing this height difference … eternal gratitude would result!

 

[star]

If it were mine and I had stripped the struts that far down to check clip height, I would have fitted Oe springs whist apart. Def sound like spring fault.

 

[ajlsl600]

one spring weaker than the other, not unusual . i remember LR springs being handed to allow for the road camber. leaf not coil tho . if you want to identify without spending ,put the springs on opposite struts and see if problem moves ,my money says it will .when i suggest this i assume (check ) that benz have left and right spring as same part number.. or as above change them. by PAIR.

 

[Blobcat]

It might be summer now but as per above spring is the issue

 

[umblecumbuz]

... and if it were mine (hate saying things like that, because hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you never have it when you most need it!), I would have swapped the two springs over, to see if that changed the ride height.
No difference? ... another cause then.
Difference? ... has to be the springs.

 

[james2747]

one spring weaker than the other, not unusual . i remember LR springs being handed to allow for the road camber. leaf not coil tho . if you want to identify without spending ,put the springs on opposite struts and see if problem moves ,my money says it will .when i suggest this i assume (check ) that benz have left and right spring as same part number.. or as above change them. by PAIR.

Thank you for your reply …. with a very sensible suggestion.
What a 'numpty' I am … I just put things back together after checking, not thinking of swapping springs over to see if problem swapped as well. Gives me something to do next weekend …. a bit of Ground Hog Day … Ugh!

 

[james2747]

... and if it were mine (hate saying things like that, because hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you never have it when you most need it!), I would have swapped the two springs over, to see if that changed the ride height.
No difference? ... another cause then.
Difference? ... has to be the springs.

Thanks for your reply umblecumbuz.
Your conclusion that springs are at fault … sounds sensible. Also your hindsight comment on swapping springs over … couldn't agree more. See my reply to ajls600, who made same suggestion.
Thanks again for your input … much appreciated.

 

[james2747]

If it were mine and I had stripped the struts that far down to check clip height, I would have fitted Oe springs whist apart. Def sound like spring fault.

Thanks Star
May have to fit a pair of new springs but will be swapping springs over first to see if problem moves to other side ( as others have suggested I should have done this before!!) … bit of a 'phaff' having to do again, this rather than just fit new ones … but budget tight so don't want to buy a pair of 'quality' springs till I have confirmed that this is definitely where problem lies.

 

[onefortheroad]

If your stripping the legs down .check the cup clip is in the same postion on both shocks. You can measure the springs once they are off.its a bit pointless swapping them around tbh.

 

[kid-jensen]

Put the springs end-to end and compress them a bit, you'll be able to spot the weak one if compresses more than the other. If that's also the one from the side that's lower, you have identified the weak spring.

Now, actually DOING the series-compression is another thing. Maybe some carpenters clamps, or some spring compressor claws re- assembled onto some long threaded studding?

 

[Nilrem]

Agree with all the above as it does sound like springs.
Near the top of the spring, you should see coloured rings painted around the coils, indicating the type of spring fitted.
These colours are documented in WIS, as different spec cars had different springs fitted.

It sounds to me that a prev owner had a spring go (common problem) and only replaced one side.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Fat driver



Sorry couldn’t resist

 

[dursleyman]

Just taken a broken front spring off ours this morning, both fronts are the same colour code with two pale grey and one blue stripe.

 

[pgh13]

If I'd striped it that extent and the springs are 10 years old, I'd be very tempted to fit new ones.
Every car we've owned (VW, Peugeot and MB ) in the last 20yrs has suffered at least one broken spring.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Avantgarde ride height is 30mm lower than Elegance. Coincidence?