H&R Spring Installation

I picked these up from Ebay for about $275, which was a excellent deal considering that they retail for over $500.  They were local also, so that saved the added expense of shipping charges.  These Sport springs are specific to the 500E w/SLS (part number 29855) and lower the front 1.25" and the rear 1".





The H&R springs out of the box and waiting to be installed.






This is the rear brake system of the 500E

 





Another picture of the rear brake system of the 500E, to get the spring out, we have to drop the lower assembly it sits in.




This is the front brake system of the 500E, R129 600SL components were used on the 500E.









To install the springs in the front, we used a spring compressor, which makes the job of swapping springs very simple.  Stock, this particular 500E had step two spring pads in the rear and step three spring pads in the front.  I elected to keep these instead of swapping them out for step one pads, although I may go back and do this to gain a little bit more of a drop.





The OE front spring out of the car and still compressed.





Waiting for the new spring to be installed.
 



OE vs. the H&R sport springs, not much of a different in height.   




To install the H&R spring, we also have to compress the spring, here is the spring compressed and being seated. 




Another picture of the finished right front.





The rear is a bit more challenging, as the spring compressor won't work back here.  You need to drop the lower mount and there is one large bolt that needs to be removed to do this.  Its best to use a tranny jack to hold the assembly and this becomes imperative when you go to re-install the bolt.



This the tranny jack in place and you can see the bolt that needs to be removed.

 



With the bolt removed and the assembly dropped down, the spring easily comes out.




Here is the rear assembly with the H&R spring installed.  Like I mentioned above, the tranny jack is important to apply pressure to this assembly so you can re-insert the mounting bolt.
 



The finished project!  The drop was exactly as H&R said it would be (1.25 in the front, 1" in the rear) although I would like it a little lower, so next time I have the suspension apart, I am going to install step one spring pads at all four corners.




A special thanks to my friend Steve Geyer (master MB tech) who lent me his expertise and incredible garage for the afternoon.  This is a garage to envy!.
 



                                                                                                                          
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