Is the ride height on a 300SE adjustable?

[lepton]

I had the rear springs replaced on my 1990 300SE about six months ago with some improvement in ground clearance. The mechanic who did the job told me that there were 3 height settings which were adjustable and that he had set it on the middle one. I now need a higher setting as the exhaust occasionally 'grounds' when I have rear passengers but can't see how it can be done. Can anyone help?

 

[GEORGEROV]

Hi lepton, I have a 1990 500se and the ride height is not adjustable (to my limited knowledge) unless you have a self-levelling model which is a whole different ball game. Having said that, if you have a standard set up and the various components are not shagged out then the exhaust shouldn't ground. I have mine with 6 concrete blocks in the boot during winter snow and a full load of passengers and no problems. (I take it the shocks are not u/s as this might allow occasional grounding). Having said all that Mercedes did specify uprated springs for different markets with bad road surfaces. Also the spring spacers (what the spring sits in), are available in different widths.

 

[turnipsock]

The rear springs have a rubber shim/buffer at the top...these come in three thicknesses, 8mm, 13mm and 18mm.

The mechanic has fitted the middle thickness.

These cost about £5 each and if you go to the dealer they will know which is the correct one for your car.

 

[lepton]

Thanks fellas, the exhaust was grounding because a mounting hanger had come adrift. I still need to raise the back though (the top of the back wheel is about 0.5 cm higher than the wheel arch) and you have provided the solution.

Alan

 

[lepton]

Rear Shims/Buffers

Hi again,

Do I have to remove the rear springs to fit the thicker rubber shims or can they be inserted with the springs in place?

Alan

 

[television]

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...&L=765.706&CT=F&cat=568&SID=32&SGR=120&SGN=03

If you look at the picture, you do have to compress the springs to fit them. They are item 8 in the picture and text

Malcolm