Merc Sprinter Seat Upgrade &Rear Suspension

LATEST NEWS !!!

Just returned from Mercedes again...Insisted they visibly look at my springs again, find me the number on the springs, compare it with the build list, explain to me why the rear end is so low and why it is nearly touching the bump stops.

The technician returned stating the van is low at the rear, there is just a 3mm gam between the bump stop and axle, the numbers are only partially visible as he would have to remove the spring to see the number properly - and he had taken a picture of it...fair enough.

It turns out the few numbers recognisable definitely do not match the build recommendations and appears they have fitted the wrong springs after all.

The part number of the springs that should be fitted apparently should be; A 906 320 8706 (which superseded A 906 320 49 06).

He recommended changing the springs which would raise the rear end and make for a steadier ride...perfect!

He would not have any of this put in writing for me as he said he would need to remove my springs to see the whole number first...hmmm, ok?

The cost would be £300 per spring, plus VAT and the fitting charges...
He said as I bought the van from the original owner (who had done 3000 miles in it) it would be classed as second hand and out of warranty - thus Mercedes nor Autosleeper would be able to assist in any financial help....
This makes me furious as it was Mercedes that supplied it with the wrong springs and in my opinion rendering the van not fit for purpose and possibly dangerous even.

I guess my only option now is to source these springs from somewhere else and have them fitted myself at my own cost?

Anyone have any other ideas or thoughts? 
Or even recommend the cheapest/best place to acquire the springs?

On a positive note, I know whats wrong with my van now, lol
Thanks to Peter, Liam and everyone else for helping me with this...
Les

big'nuf wrote:LATEST NEWS !!

I guess my only option now is to source these springs from somewhere else and have them fitted myself at my own cost?

Anyone have any other ideas or thoughts? 
Or even recommend the cheapest/best place to acquire the springs?

Hi Les,
Sorry the news is not good - although it looks like you have at the very least bottomed (excuse the pun) the problem.
I would caution sourcing the springs from anyone else other than Mercedes - you will never be sure of what you get - I am a believer that life is more important than saving a few pounds.
The only suggestion I could offer is you might consider inquiring with a company called Conrad-Anderson in Birmingham - they are the main agents for supply and fitting of VB Air Suspension (Dutch company and approved by MB). 
The VB system is an MB approved retro fit to MB Vehicles and I believe Conrad-Anderson do a lot these after market fits (NHS Ambulances etc.)  
One of the VB Air systems involves the removal of the existing MB spring - hence they may have a stock of genuine hardly used springs available or perhaps they know a man who has! 
Worth a try at the least and hopefully they will have the one you want - they might even fit it for a small fee.
The only other option is to try and barter a deal with your MB dealer.
Hope you get it solved and I am sure you will then appreciate the MB ride!!
Liam

Awesome, Thanks Liam...I will call them (or email them lol).

Peter L

Well, I think he said 3.5T but he did say it would probably be a 2-spring with a helper spring.
My investigations yesterday led me to believe the 2-spring and helper one is for a 5 T?
Im wandering if this would be too hard?...but the spring guy said it would be ok.
He was basing it on my vehicle details and not the part number I was given...
I would be happier to find out exactly what the spring looks like on the part number I have.

Les

OMG!...here we go again lol

Spoke with AS...they confirm the spring should be a C33 (Harder twin-leaf)
Spoke with a different Mercedes dealer down south...They kindly cross referenced the spring numbers I had and told me the numbers are actually painted on the top of the springs in big letters..I took a look and, yes they are!
I actually have the correct springs fitted after all!
Goes to show those comlete idiots at Rygor Mercedes Gloucester have no idea what they are doing or talking about !
Which doesn't really help me as in I still have handling issues - but I know it isn't the springs now...No thanks to Rygor.

Now paranoia has struck again re my rear springs which were replaced due breakage I went back to Merc Hull to ask them to check the ones they fitted, C33, were actually correctly supplied as they are single leaf not as the C33 spec seems to say twin leaf.

Got the following reply:

With regards to the spring issue, we have checked with MBUK retail support, they have confirmed the springs you have fitted on the rear of the vehicle are the correct part number and should be single leaf, the dual reference would refer to 2 springs on the rear axle i.e. one either side.


The reference to twin appears to be as Peter #1 thought.
So, I have a cunning plan  (in fact it is so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a fox ): what is the part number of your springs and I will get under my truck check mine and see if they are the same? What do you reckon?
PS, should be able to get more of the number if you use a small mirror and a torch.

OK, I definately have the two-leaf springs. (2 leafs on each axle). Both are curved, so no "helper springs).

MB tells me that the original would be "C33" (also as my build sheet states).
MB tells me that could have been a choice of two; 906 320 75 06 or 906 320 49 06
I have 906 320 49 06 fitted on mine.
(Used a mirror and torch - real clear and easy to see)

MB parts at Gloucester tell me that this one will have now been superseded by 906 320 87 06
(If you can believe a word they say?...)

From what I can gather, they are all rated up to 3.5T (The C33 being a harder type specifically for motorhomes)
It has been suggested by several spring manufacturers to replace them with the 5T equivalent....
My mechanic says that would make too hard a ride and the van would bounce all over the place.

Im going to stick with what I have and rely on the air bags...experimenting with different pressures as I go.
I will not hold my breath the ride will ever be as good as any of my previous M Homes....

I will see what part number I have fitted. This is soooooo strange though; same year of manufacture, same spring spec C33 yet yours is twin leaf each side, mine is C33 single leaf, heavier van yet I have more clearance on the bump stops and no obvious roll over and above what I would expect. 
You mentioned earlier that MB had checked the axle weights? Did they weighbridge each and if so do you have details of what they are ? Would be an interesting comparison as I have my axle weights at almost gross weight and also at mid load range.

PS, can we stick with this thread on the suspension issue as getting very confusing having it on your upgrade weight thread as well. 

The clearance on my bumpstops?....it seems when the airbags were fitted, additional bumpstops were added onto the axle.
It was these that had the minimal clearance. MB have now removed them.

I definitely have a fair bit of roll, lol

MB only weighed the van itself, apparently, not the axles as they first claimed.
The weight of my van, loaded as ready to go, was well within the 3.2 T allowance.

We cans stick this thread anywhere lol, no idea how though....

Sorry, by stick I meant keep to this one re suspension .

Can you get to a weigh-bridge as I think to know the weight on your back axle would be 'very' useful.

makes sense Peter, if so, maybe I should find out the exact number and spec of the c38 and consider upgrading mine?

Jaytee...if i remember, I will try and get it done on Friday

Les

PLOUGHLIN wrote:I am wondering if the weight upgrade for some vans to 3880kg  overrides the C33 spec noted in the build sheets. The MB options shows C38 as single uprated spring for XL8 option which is on the build sheet?

So vans upto 3500kg get the C33 as ordered, and MB automatically supply c38 for 3880kg vans?

Mine is 3880 and def has the C33. It doesn't make any sense that Les's is so low being a lighter unit. Unless the axle loading is much higher due layout or he does actually have the wrong springs I.e not C33. The weigh bridge results will be interesting.

Yep, as Peter says single spring. I have asked Merc Hull for the part number of C33 and C38 so I can confirm what's fitted to mine.

Just to add to the springs issue ( totally out of date now) our motor home we spent 2 years travelling Europe and Morocco in 1980, was a Merc 308 bus chassis, which had extremely low clearance on the rear, time the four of us ( 2 children) plus inflatable dingy with outboard on one side locker, and generator fitted on the other, we had a job driving on and off ferries. So whilst in Stuttgart, after talking to a Dutch couple of motorhomers, we went to a spring specialist who recommended having the springs re tempered and refurbished....this was done in one day, all removed, re bent, and re tempered, then replaced.
The end result was an increase in clearance of a good 5" from when it went in, and solved all our ferry problems. Never did actually weigh the vehicle, as didn't even occur to us back then, but pretty sure we were 5 ton plus. 

Good point though logburner 

I think Logburner may have hit on Big'nof's problem - 
It is conceivable that a heat treatment cycle has been missed out in the process of producing his springs and it is likely a simple re-profile and re-tempered would be the solution to his problems.
Liam

Has anyone actually fitted second armrests to both front seats? Was it easy? where did you get the armrests from? How much?