Mercedes suspension

[mark_374242158]

i have a 1999 c 220 estate and when i load up the rear sits a bit lower than i would like is there anything i can do

 

[rob_jax]

Mercedes Benz cars post a maximum boot load or a maximum and minimum rear axle load - in to which you need to include the weight of the tow bar and the caravan nose-weight.

So please check if you have exceeded the rear axle load - or the boot load - but that shouldn't be the case for any sensible loading.

And I'm assuming that this C220 doesn't have the variable or auto-levelling rear suspension, so if your car has done more than 100k miles, it's merely because the rear springs have been "used" extensively during the life of the car, then either:

1. New (replacement) springs from one of the specialist parts suppliers will do the job

2. Variable rate springs which become progressively stiffer as you load the rear of the car are a better choice for someone towing - good ride when unladen, firm rear suspension when towing

3. Spring assisters can be fitted to the original springs in your car - these effectively give a stiffer compliance once the car is loaded.

Robert

 

[harry_374244037]

Mercedes Benz cars post a maximum boot load or a maximum and minimum rear axle load - in to which you need to include the weight of the tow bar and the caravan nose-weight.

So please check if you have exceeded the rear axle load - or the boot load - but that shouldn't be the case for any sensible loading.

And I'm assuming that this C220 doesn't have the variable or auto-levelling rear suspension, so if your car has done more than 100k miles, it's merely because the rear springs have been "used" extensively during the life of the car, then either:

1. New (replacement) springs from one of the specialist parts suppliers will do the job

2. Variable rate springs which become progressively stiffer as you load the rear of the car are a better choice for someone towing - good ride when unladen, firm rear suspension when towing

3. Spring assisters can be fitted to the original springs in your car - these effectively give a stiffer compliance once the car is loaded.

Robert

Try "mad suspension" ... google it to get to their website , i have just had a pair of rear springs fitted (progressive), will not be able to try them until i go out with van next week. Will let you know how they fare.

Harry

 

[mark_374242158]

Cheers for that,But i see the weights and am still confused.My nose weight is 75kg and the max permissible rear axle load while towing is 1140kg.But i have no idea what weight i have already.Can you shed anymore light on this please

 

[Lutz]

The only way you can find out what axle load you have is to actually weigh the car. The load limits are normally the same whether towing or not so the 75kg noseweight is included in the 1140kg permissible rear axle load.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Mark,

When you say "your nose-weight is 75kg" is that something you have measured (bathroom scales for instance) - or is something you've read off a manufacturer's data plate?

Next time you are near the caravan - and it's parked on a level surface - and if the jockey wheel post and the tow coupling are very close - then this "cheat" will give a reasonable value for the nose-weight:

1. Level the caravan and wind down the steadies

2. Chock the wheels and release the caravan hand-brake - the van is now free to pivot on the wheels

3. Wind up the jockey wheel so that you can slide a set of bathroom scales underneath

4. Wind down the jockey wheel

5. Wind up the front steadies (an inch or so) so that the weight is taken by the jockey wheel - make sure that the caravan is level

6. Read off the weight from the scales - if it is above 75kg then you need to redistribute weight in the caravan - and this could solve your "car sits low" problem

Inaccuracies of this method - you are not measuring the nose-weight but the slightly higher weight at the jockey wheel - this difference gets worse as the distance between the tow coupling and the jockey wheel increases

Good points of this method - the spring gauges that fit under the tow-coupling are not as accurate as a