AWD Suspension Questions

[Turf]

where does the extra inch in height come from on the AWDs? springs and shocks? geometry? something else?

[Tbird100636]

where does the extra inch in height come from on the AWDs? springs and shocks? geometry? something else?

Combination of springs, other suspension parts, and spacer washers for the rear subframe.

[AWD_Guy]

The spacer washers a new one on me, where did you hear that?

The lift in the front comes from AWD specific springs, in the rear it uses RWD springs with a super thick spring spacer that can be easily removed to even out the ride.

In the rear the suspension is identical to the RWD. The front end is completely different. The cradle hangs down a bit more than the RWD's which is why the ride height is higher.

[Tbird100636]

The spacer washers a new one on me, where did you hear that?

The lift in the front comes from AWD specific springs, in the rear it uses RWD springs with a super thick spring spacer that can be easily removed to even out the ride.

In the rear the suspension is identical to the RWD. The front end is completely different. The cradle hangs down a bit more than the RWD's which is why the ride height is higher.

One of the MasterTech updates from 2004, the 2005-2008 LX service manuals, the mopar STARParts system, the Mopar e-Fiche parts system, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THESE CARS FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS. Try reading this thread where I took the time looking over the rear suspension diagrams of the e-Fiche as it relates to putting in load leveling shocks into a car that doesn't have them already.

Load Leveling shocks (Nivomat) info...

It lists the AWD specific rear suspension parts. So which spring seat are you removing to achieve the evening of the ride height??? The RWD and AWD share upper and lower spring seats, NO EXTRA SPACERS FOR AWD REAR SPRINGS. If you're willing to go into a more detailed answer, I can even get all the different part #'s for the specific AWD parts. Yes, the rear does look identical between RWD and AWD, but the parts are different.

[striker071]

Funny Mercedes Benz doesnt do body lifts on their ALL Wheel drive packages. Seems kind of idiotic

[AWD_Guy]

No need to get defensive....just wanted a little more info.

The AWD does use a wider track width which explains the different parts. Geometry wise the rear suspension is setup the same. I removed the thicker upper spring seat, it's almost a full 1.5" thick. I replaced it with a piece of heater hose over the spring to keep it from squeeking. My AWD rear springs that are labeled as "RWD" so I assumed that the height difference came from somewhere else. I found some pics of the RWD spring seats and they didn't appear to be as thick as the AWD's.

[Tbird100636]

No need to get defensive....just wanted a little more info.

The AWD does use a wider track width which explains the different parts. Geometry wise the rear suspension is setup the same. I removed the thicker upper spring seat, it's almost a full 1.5" thick. I replaced it with a piece of heater hose over the spring to keep it from squeeking. My AWD rear springs that are labeled as "RWD" so I assumed that the height difference came from somewhere else. I found some pics of the RWD spring seats and they didn't appear to be as thick as the AWD's.

Sure OK, sorry I got a little snippy. Just out of curiosity, what's the 3 digit code on the spring label??? It should begin with a Z. Also what year and model LX do you have???

[Gabe]

Sure OK, sorry I got a little snippy. Just out of curiosity, what's the 3 digit code on the spring label??? It should begin with a Z. Also what year and model LX do you have???

On my OEM rear springs there is no 3-digit code

There's a number 04895342AC and it says "RWD", whereas the front springs label says "AWD" and 04895646AD but on top of that label there's another label stuck on half-way which reads 04895666AF and under that it acually says "SPRING FRONT RIGHT" and on the left one the number stuck on reads 04895766AF and of course it reads under it "SPRING FRONT LEFT"

I'm assuming that those are the part numbers for the springs themselves, which to me means that only the front springs are different, the rears are the same ?

Hope I helped

[Tbird100636]

On my OEM rear springs there is no 3-digit code

There's a number 04895342AC and it says "RWD", whereas the front springs label says "AWD" and 04895646AD but on top of that label there's another label stuck on half-way which reads 04895666AF and under that it acually says "SPRING FRONT RIGHT" and on the left one the number stuck on reads 04895766AF and of course it reads under it "SPRING FRONT LEFT"

I'm assuming that those are the part numbers for the springs themselves, which to me means that only the front springs are different, the rears are the same ?

Hope I helped

The rear spring number you gave is a AWD piece. The 646AD front number is AWD also. You other 2 numbers are probably the complete strut assy., which is nfor the factory only.

[PaulFix]

I read somewhere on this site that the AWD tow package with self leveling shocks uses slightly softer springs to balance the nivomats internal spring