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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 466
| G55 Broken rear coil spring
Hi gents As I began the process of installing the suggested half-inch poly spacer to the top of the front and rear spring in order to equalize the lower side of the truck body, I found the rear spring, broken at the base. I am positive. it is not the cause of the sagging as I have swapped the springs, hoping that it may help to equalize the height some or at least rule out that one spring did not compress equally as the other. I then proceeded to loosen up the radius arms as instructed while the truck was lifted, it didn't help correcting the difference in height. The idea of placing spacers on top of the springs, on one side of the truck would allow the shocks on that side to have more travel, that would certainly change the dynamics of the suspension. However after 12 years of ownership and the nagging awareness that the truck leans, I've chose to do the spacers despite my fears. After my attempt to correct the lien in the body, it became clear any spacer should be placed between the chassis and the body.Because it looked like a daunting task, I passed. I did a search this site and went through much of what Mario added to the subject of springs and shocks. He mentioned different color springs with markings that establishes the spring rating. I could not find markings on my springs. My question is should I use this opportunity to replace both rear springs at the same time? Would a new spring be much different than a 20-year-old spring on one side? Being that this is the G 55 with the notorious rough ride, should I consider a different spring rating where all of my driving is on the roadway? I read that different shocks can make a huge difference in comfort along however, wouldn't the lack of cilastios rubber helper spring make the truck a little more unstable during a sudden corrective maneuver to avoid accidents? I know I'm thinking out loud here. I'm just trying to take all things into consideration and any help to clear up the noise in my head would be great. I really appreciate all the wealth of knowledge you guys have put together on this site.
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3014
| RE: G55 Broken rear coil spring
I would say to replace your springs in pairs is the accepted way of dealing with a broken spring that is not just a temporary fix. With your VIN, we can look up the MB part number or you can ask Steve at Expedition Imports to help you source the correct rear springs. Many people do swap out the early G55 springs for G500 springs to improve the ride comfort, so you may be able to find a used set. Later G55s used the same springs as the G500/550, AFAIK. |
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 466
| Re: G55 Broken rear coil spring
Thank you much for your input.
I read a couple folks here mentioning an improvement in the ride simply by swapping the shocks for a different brand. Because the stock shocks (if I read it right) have so called Calixto, urethane, shaft sleeves, added for less body roll, I might consider G500 springs and stick with stock shocks. I drove a G500 years ago, the body role during sudden slight turns didn't seem to recover quickly, though the ride was nice.
I appreciate you going through the trouble, I'm finding it very annoying trying to locate exact part numbers online or an explanation of the color coding as it pertains to the G 55.
Incase I decide to stick with stock springs and go with different shocks, I'd love to be sure what I'm ordering.
VIN# WDCYR46E14X142237
Thank you much for your input and assistance.
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3189
| Re: G55 Broken rear coil spring
From your VIN I am seeing the rear springs to be: 4603240704 https://expedition-imports.com/spring-rear-lwb-yellow-orange-4603240... |
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 466
| Re: G55 Broken rear coil spring
Thank you Inkblotz for the rear coil spring PN 4603240704
Once again I feel into a rabbit hole trying to locate MB parts with the added pain of AMG!
Please excuse the redundancy if this info has already been displayed on P3.
This is a listing of the different Coil Spring options. They relate to all W460 / W461 / W463 Chassis vehicles. The different colored stripes relate to different spring rates and the numbers of colored stripes relate to sub rates within the major rate. These for example are the major colours for the front and rear springs.
You will see there are quite a lot of variants, it is the German factories way of fine tuning the vehicles especially the military versions and or over complicating things!!!
In this chart I'm displaying rear springs only. Am I correct assuming the first three numbers after the letter A refer to the model?
The 50,60,61, refer to Centimeters, unsprung length, maybe compression loaded length? My head hurts!!
At the very bottom of the chart lists spring length at different applied weight associated with color banding.
Likely useful for certain after market mods.
REAR SPRINGS (Each)
A4603240204 60 YELLOW ONE STRIPE S/S TO A4603240204 £201 + VAT MB Germany
A4603240204 61 YELLOW TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603240204 62 YELLOW THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4603240704 50 YELLOW ORANGE ONE STRIPE £201 + VAT MB Germany
A4603240704 51 YELLOW ORANGE TWO STRIPE £201 + VAT NCA
A4603240704 52 YELLOW ORANGE THREE STRIPE £201 + VAT NCA
A4603240604 60 BROWN ONE STRIPE S/S A4603240604 £201 + VAT NCA
A4603240604 61 BROWN TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603240604 62 BROWN THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4603240304 60 GREEN ONE STRIPE S/S TO A4603240304 £201+ VAT MB UK
A4603240304 61 GREEN TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603240304 62 GREEN THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4603240504 60 WHITE ONE STRIPE S/S A4603240504 £237 + VAT MB Germany
A4603240504 61 WHITE TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603240504 62 WHITE THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4603240804 60 RED ONE STRIPE S/S TO A4603240804 £263 + VAT MB Germany
A4603240804 61 RED TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603240804 62 RED THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4633240004 60 LILAC ONE STRIPE S/S TO A4633240004 £201 + VAT MB Germany
A4633240004 61 LILAC TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4633240004 62 LILAC THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4633240404 60 G55/63/65 AMG ONE STRIPE £193 + VAT MB Germany
A4633240404 61 G55/63/65 AMG TWO STRIPE £193 + VAT NCA
A4633240404 62 G55/63/65 AMG THREE STRIPE £193 + VAT NCA
A4603241004 60 AZURBLUE ONE STRIPE S/S TO A4603241004 £263 + VAT MB Germany
A4603241004 61 AZURBLUE TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603241004 62 AZURBLUE THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61
A4603241104 60 BEIGE ONE STRIPE S/S TO A4603241104 £263 + VAT MB Germany
A4603241104 61 BEIGE TWO STRIPE S/S TO 60
A4603241104 62 BEIGE THREE STRIPE S/S TO 61 A4613240504 60 LOAD CAP 5400KG ONE STRIPE £452 + VAT MB Germany
A4613240504 61 LOAD CAP 5400KG TWO STRIPE £452 + VAT NCA
A4613240504 62 LOAD CAP 5400KG THREE STRIPE £452 + VAT NCA
A4613240004 60 SQUIRREL GREY/WHITE ONE STRIPE £431 + VAT NCA
A4613240004 61 SQUIRREL GREY/WHITE TWO STRIPE £431 + VAT MB Germany
A4613240004 62 SQUIRREL GREY/WHITE THREE STRIPE £431 + VAT NCA
A4613240404 60 LOAD CAP 5400KG ONE STRIPE £NA NCA
A4613240404 61 LOAD CAP 5400KG TWO STRIPE £NA NCA
A4613240404 62 LOAD CAP 5400KG THREE STRIPE £NA NCA
The MB R&D department didn't spend millions working on that set up for fun, everything you change will have a direct or indirect effect on something else...
It all depends on spring rates, lengths etc
for example...
A460 321 50 04 Russet Brown 425mm long at 2000N - 175mm long at 7000N
A460 321 02 04 Yellow 400mm long at 2000N - 150mm long at 7000N
A460 321 06 04 Yellow Orange 430mm long at 2000N - 200mm long at 7000N
A460 321 05 04 Red 440mm long at 2000N - 225mm long at 7000N
A460 321 04 04 White 405mm long at 2000N - 260mm long at 7000N
A460 321 00 04 Blue 410mm long at 2000N - 280mm long at 7000N
These are all for 2 stripe springs...
I have to get out of this rabbit hole, there's only one thing to do, remover a spring to locate the color banding.
Thank you for listening as I think out loud!
Enjoy! |
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NHDave
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Dec 2013
Location: Seacoast NH.
Vehicle(s): 2004 AMG
Posts: 466
| Re: G55 Broken rear coil spring
In the thread above in after way too much research and confusion, I went with Inkblotz part number for the rear springs, thank you sir! After installation of matching rear springs, the truck was still leaning on the driver side by a half inch, despite the broken coil spring on the driver side. I purchased spaces from Vlad and installed the rear spacer only. After doing so the string wheel is off a couple degrees towards the left on straight flat roads, it doesn't feel solid as it did before the spacer was added. I believe I should add the spacer in the front to see if that might be why it feels weird.
I've been researching coil spring compressors for W463, some with plates requiring a shaft, inserted into the center of the coil, considering all obstacles around the coil location, it doesn't make sense.
What is the proper compressor to use?
I don't mind the $200 for a one time use, still cheaper bringing it to the dealer, or even in Indy, who would both question why I'm doing spaces to begin with! Hoping someone here might like to reclaim some cost to their one time purchase! I live in NH, willing to pay shipping plus a fee. |
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grane
Member
Date registered: Jul 2015
Location: New England and Mississippi
Vehicle(s): SL 63 AMG, GLK 350 4X4, LEXUS GX 460
Posts: 7
| Re: G55 Broken rear coil spring
I would contact Raoul who is a master MB tech retired who has a shop just south of Concord, NH. His cell is 603 540-5126. Tell him The Recipient gave you his number.
I just sold my 2002 GWagen. I replaced the front and rear springs in pairs over the years because they rust in New England. I never tried to fit esoteric springs or over-analyse it!!!! Nor did I try to fit springs myself because it is difficult and even dangerous.
I replaced the stock black shocks with the yellow and blue gas pressure Bilstein shocks. They take about 500 miles to break in but the ride is much more comfortable and much sportier. The handling is crisper than the stock shocks; the truck turns in better and keeps a more level ride.
The other thing I would inspect is for rear subframe rusting. This might cause your G to sag.
Edited by grane 12/7/2024 9:49 AM
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