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Suspension Ride Height

Started by Mattr, 15 April 2017, 10:10 PM

Mattr

Hey Folks,

Since I bought my 450SE, the front has always sat a bit higher than the back (maybe 1/2"?). I suspected the back was worn out, and took it to a classic car shop today. He took a quick look at the front and the back, and said that while the back was a bit soft, it didn't seem worn out. Has anyone else seen this before? I was contemplating just swapping new shocks and springs into it to see if the problem went away, but I don't want to if it sitting like that is normal.

Oh, and has anyone ever replaced their three speed auto with a four or five speed automatic?

Thanks,
MattR.
1976 450SE 6.9 FrankenBenz (#2288?)
1977 450SEL 6.9 #2333

gf

Does it have self levelling?

ChrilleGr

It Think its supposed to be slightly higher in the back?.




Mattr

Quote from: gf on 17 April 2017, 06:50 PM
Does it have self levelling?
My car doesn't have self-leveling. It's a stock 450SE (besides having an M100 motor).
1976 450SE 6.9 FrankenBenz (#2288?)
1977 450SEL 6.9 #2333

robertd

What do you mean " besides having an M100 motor"?
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

rumb

A 6.9 is suppose to be 55.5" high at roof, and the wheel well to ground is Front 26" and Rear 25" - though there is debate about these numbers.

The manual calls for measurements off certain suspension components and requires special tools that no one has.


the height of a plain 450 SEL between 1973 and 1980 varied back and forth between 56.1" and 56.3"

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

robertd

Hey Mattr

If you have a standard 450SE how did you fit the 6.9 motor

did you do it yourself?

some pictures would be great to see.

Cheers Rob
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

Mattr

Quote from: rumb on 19 April 2017, 06:54 PM
A 6.9 is suppose to be 55.5" high at roof, and the wheel well to ground is Front 26" and Rear 25" - though there is debate about these numbers.

The manual calls for measurements off certain suspension components and requires special tools that no one has.


the height of a plain 450 SEL between 1973 and 1980 varied back and forth between 56.1" and 56.3"
Do you've the wheel well to ground stats for a 450SE? As previously noted, my car is neither a 6.9 nor a SEL.

Quote from: robertd
What do you mean "besides having an M100 motor" ?
I bought this car about three years back: http://www.frankenbenz.com
Since then I've been gathering up parts, making a list of repairs/fixes needed (and handling those I can, currently), and paying off debt so I can buy a house with a two car garage and room for a 1000+ sq.ft. shop (if it doesn't already have one).
1976 450SE 6.9 FrankenBenz (#2288?)
1977 450SEL 6.9 #2333

rumb


Do you've the wheel well to ground stats for a 450SE? As previously noted, my car is neither a 6.9 nor a SEL.


I would guess about 3/4 of an inch higher than a 6.9 based on roof height.

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

robertd

I've just measured both my 450sel and my blue 6.9

Floor to top of arch of rear wheel well  on the 450 is 25inches

                                                            on the  6.9  is  24 and 1/2 inches
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

Mattr

Thanks Robert. I'll compare that to what my front/rears are sitting at, and see if maybe I need to order some springs/struts.
1976 450SE 6.9 FrankenBenz (#2288?)
1977 450SEL 6.9 #2333

Mattr

Examining it, the back sits perfectly at 25", and the front is at 26". The mechanic I've had looking at the car (there's two repairs I hate: suspension and brakes). Thinks that the previous owner probably had heavy duty springs of some sort put in, probably to accommodate the additional weight of the M100 engine.

So, here's a question: Does anyone know what a M117 long block weighs? I believe the M100 LB is around 700-800lbs, if memory serves, but I'll happily accept corrections.
1976 450SE 6.9 FrankenBenz (#2288?)
1977 450SEL 6.9 #2333

UTn_boy

To my knowledge, the 450sel/350sel springs were the strongest springs for a W116, and the W116 springs are unique to the W116.  If anything, someone may have installed thicker rubber pads at the tops of the springs. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

rumb

the new issue of The Star says a M100 weighs nearly 700lbs.
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio