Will I be fine with #4 pads all around?

[JonC43]

I have a 1999 C43 with its original 17" rims. I just ordered Vogtland Springs and Koni Externally Adjustable Shocks. I am concerned with how much this setup will drop my car (I want an efficient suspension for auto-xing).

I saw that some people on this board with a similar setup used #4 pads all around, but they had 18" rims (looking in KWiK"s direction).

Would there be any difference in fit depending on the rim size? Could I use #4 spring pads w/o rubbing or tucking on my 17" rims? Anyone have any pics with this setup?

Thanks in advance for any help.:)

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by JonC43
I have a 1999 C43 with its original 17" rims. I just ordered Vogtland Springs and Koni Externally Adjustable Shocks. I am concerned with how much this setup will drop my car (I want an efficient suspension for auto-xing).

I saw that some people on this board with a similar setup used #4 pads all around, but they had 18" rims (looking in KWiK"s direction).

Would there be any difference in fit depending on the rim size? Could I use #4 spring pads w/o rubbing or tucking on my 17" rims? Anyone have any pics with this setup?

Thanks in advance for any help.:) with #4's you should be good to go. Where did you purchase your KONI's?

[KWiK]

You will be fine with #4 pads

[JonC43]

I got them at Pure Motorsport. They had to order them from Holland, so I am just waiting right now.

Thanks for your advice. I look forward to getting everything together!

[e harmon]

Grats on your new setup JonC43.

Generally speaking, it sounds like #4 pads all around should keep you in the clear. For whatever reason, though, my C43 rubs on one side in the rear with #4 pads, Eibach pro-kits, Koni adjustables at 1.5 clicks, and stock 17" wheels. I'm thinking about raising it some by stacking pads, if I can figure out how.

Regards,

e harmon

[manny]

Originally posted by e harmon
I'm thinking about raising it some by stacking pads, if I can figure out how.


Easy. Take any pad ( maybe one of your old ones ), slice off the top part that seats against the springperch, insert it first, followed by your # 4 pad.
Done.
I made a " # 5 " rear pad for my car, to retain the slightly raked look the car was designed with. ;)

[JonC43]

Originally posted by e harmon
For whatever reason, though, my C43 rubs on one side in the rear with #4 pads, Eibach pro-kits, Koni adjustables at 1.5 clicks, and stock 17" wheels.

Yeah, that is my main concern. I think I have heard that the Eibachs lower your car more than the Vogtlands, though. I have to check on that again.

[e harmon]

I strongly believe that if both manufacturers claim a similar drop, some sets of Vogtlands will lower more than some sets of Pro-kits and vice versa. There is lots of evidence that the advertsied drop is a very gross approximation.

You probably don't have that much to lose by trying the #4 pads first. If you get rubbing, you should be able to remedy it with more height, and maybe a stiffer setting on the shocks. It's good to have these options. :)

edit: Thank you, Manny, for the info.

e harmon

[Denlasoul]

Are you sure rubbing is not due to your alignment being off? How about your camber?

[JonC43]

Originally posted by Denlasoul
How about your camber?

Sorry to interrupt, but I forgot to ask. I heard that lowering your car will increase negative camber. Will my drop require me to readjust my camber?

[rhiyun703]

Hi Guys,
I am new and just by my w202. I bought h&r springs and bilsteins shocks, and noticed alot of talk of pads. Coiuld someone fill me in? Is this a seperate purchase I need to worry about before I get an install? Thanks in advance.

[Denlasoul]

Originally posted by JonC43
I heard that lowering your car will increase negative camber. Will my drop require me to readjust my camber?
Lowering your car will increase negative camber. It just depends on how much negative camber is there. A good way to see is to get an alignment. They will be able to tell you how much is there, especially the rear. A cheap way is to wait a few thousand miles and observe the wear on your tires. If your tires are wearing more on the inside part of the tire, then you should get it adjusted. With a C43, its better to have 0 camber in the rear, it allows you to put all of the rubber onto the pavement, thus giving you better traction. Unless of course you track your car. ;)


Originally posted by rhiyun703
Hi Guys,
I am new and just by my w202. I bought h&r springs and bilsteins shocks, and noticed alot of talk of pads. Coiuld someone fill me in? Is this a seperate purchase I need to worry about before I get an install? Thanks in advance.
Pads ar already on you stock springs. No need to worry unless you want to tune your ride height a little more. Spring pads vary on height, but it is only like 1/4 inch from thinest to thickest.

[JonC43]

I just ordered #4 pads all around at my dealer, but something is a little curious.

I got the invoice back and it reads:

2 Shim
2 Rubber Rin

The guys insisted they were what I was looking for. Are these really the Spring Pads I need?

[e harmon]

Here are the part numbers:

For W202 mid 96-99
Front(W210 part number) :
210 321 01 84 pad#1 5 mm
210 321 02 84 pad#2 9 mm
210 321 03 84 pad#3 13 mm
210 321 04 84 pad#4 17 mm
210 321 05 84 pad#5 21 mm

Rear(W210 part number) :
210 325 01 84 pad#1 5 mm
210 325 02 84 pad#2 9 mm
210 325 03 84 pad#3 13 mm
210 325 04 84 pad#4 17 mm

For W202 94-mid 96
Front(W201 part number) :
201 321 09 84 pad#1 8 mm
201 321 10 84 pad#2 13 mm
201 321 11 84 pad#3 18 mm
210 321 12 84 pad#4 23 mm

Rear(W201 part number) :
201 325 09 44 pad#1 8 mm
201 325 10 44 pad#2 13 mm
201 325 11 44 pad#3 18 mm

(Thanks to the original poster of this. Unfortunately, I didn't capture who it was.)

[JonC43]

Thank you. I seem to have gotten the right parts.

[mambo]

I've lowered by car with H&R springs with the standard shocks. I am running 18" Styling II's and have #3 pads on at the moment and I am getting some slight rubbing on the front arch under heavy cornering/going over bumps when the wheel is turned. Does anyone else have any experience of these problems? I am thinking of swapping out the spring pads for #4s but I am not too convinced that just upping the spring pads will stop the rubbing.

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by mambo
I've lowered by car with H&R springs with the standard shocks. I am running 18" Styling II's and have #3 pads on at the moment and I am getting some slight rubbing on the front arch under heavy cornering/going over bumps when the wheel is turned. Does anyone else have any experience of these problems? I am thinking of swapping out the spring pads for #4s but I am not too convinced that just upping the spring pads will stop the rubbing. Well I've got new bilstein sports with the eibach prokit and # 3 pads in the front and I have no rubbing issues.Perhaps it's because you're using the stck shocks which actually were not made for aftermaket lowering springs. The eibach springs are also stiffer than the stck springs.I could see your car rubbing as a result.Stck shocks can't handle the increased spring pressure load.



I dissagreed at first but i think the overall best setup other than the custom Penske setup that speedy benz sells would be h&R springs,#4 pads all around,and koni adjustables for a much better handling and comfy ride and no rubbing.Just my thoughts.



I do get rubbing in the back, drivers side with the bilsteins,#4 pads,eibachs ever since I had the 5.5L motor installed(more TQ now).I think this is also because of the inc,in TQ that I'm experiencing so I am going to go with #4's all around,H&R's and Koni adjustables.

[mambo]

Thanks for that! May start looking in to getting some Konis.....

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by e harmon
Here are the part numbers:

For W202 mid 96-99
Front(W210 part number) :
210 321 01 84 pad#1 5 mm
210 321 02 84 pad#2 9 mm
210 321 03 84 pad#3 13 mm
210 321 04 84 pad#4 17 mm
210 321 05 84 pad#5 21 mm

Rear(W210 part number) :
210 325 01 84 pad#1 5 mm
210 325 02 84 pad#2 9 mm
210 325 03 84 pad#3 13 mm
210 325 04 84 pad#4 17 mm

For W202 94-mid 96
Front(W201 part number) :
201 321 09 84 pad#1 8 mm
201 321 10 84 pad#2 13 mm
201 321 11 84 pad#3 18 mm
210 321 12 84 pad#4 23 mm

Rear(W201 part number) :
201 325 09 44 pad#1 8 mm
201 325 10 44 pad#2 13 mm
201 325 11 44 pad#3 18 mm

(Thanks to the original poster of this. Unfortunately, I didn't capture who it was.) Hmmmm interesting.I was not aware that they made #5 pads for the front.When I put on these H&r's I hope the car won't sit any lower.I need to use #4's in the fron that's for sure.If it's too low Hello #5's.