Bilstein spring installation question - arrow on spring?

[JHZR2]

Trying to do springs and shocks on my Ml320. One side has a break at the very bottom.

I have the correct part number Bilstein spring. It comes with no instructions, and the online info says nothing.

The name and arrow is upside down if I have it oriented as it should be installed. I don’t understand why this would be.

Any ideas??

 

[SC Maintenance]

Looks like it can only go in one way - there is a taper on one end no? I mean its a spring, so force at the top will equal force at the bottom.

If your looking for speculation on why the arrow is one way - possibly that same spring is used in another application?

 

[GSCJR]

Is it possible that the broken spring was installed incorrectly? I agree with @SC Maintenance, it does look correct though

 

[JHZR2]

Looks like it can only go in one way - there is a taper on one end no? I mean its a spring, so force at the top will equal force at the bottom.

If your looking for speculation on why the arrow is one way - possibly that same spring is used in another application?

Correct, tapered and two different diameters top vs bottom.

It could be used in another application I guess. Only so many ways to skin a cat.

Is it possible that the broken spring was installed incorrectly? I agree with @SC Maintenance, it does look correct though

Don’t think so. Top and bottom mounts are different. Top has a centering nib, bottom has a hole.

 

[Trav]

Just looking at the diameter of the upper and lower it can only go in as you have it. You can see the bottom has a cutout for the tab on the lower isolator make sure you get that lined up first and put the top last. Someone wasn't paying attention with the arrow.

 

[JHZR2]

Just looking at the diameter of the upper and lower it can only go in as you have it. You can see the bottom has a cutout for the tab on the lower isolator make sure you get that lined up first and put the top last. Someone wasn't paying attention with the arrow.

Finally got both sides done - shocks and springs. Both side springs were broken. They look awful similar to the bilsteins.

Horrible time with the spring compressor. Will need a separate thread on that…

My wife was outside with me until 11:15. Compressing springs requires a buddy system imo… she’s not mad, but I owe her a lot….

 

[Trav]

Nicely done, big shout out to your wife.

 

[JHZR2]

Sprayed with Krown, and all put together.

 

[shortyb]

How is the spring located in the lower control arm? Is it just spring pressure that keeps it located?

And I know those hard plastic "sleeves" on the top of the spring reduce noise when it goes to preload coil bind contact, but that is your source of broken springs. Water (and salty water from road deicing) gets inside that sleeve and corrodes the steel spring to the point it breaks. Its a common problem with a poor design.

 

[JHZR2]

How is the spring located in the lower control arm? Is it just spring pressure that keeps it located?

And I know those hard plastic "sleeves" on the top of the spring reduce noise when it goes to preload coil bind contact, but that is your source of broken springs. Water (and salty water from road deicing) gets inside that sleeve and corrodes the steel spring to the point it breaks. Its a common problem with a poor design.

A small, hard plastic centering device.

It fits just one way in the LCA, and has stops for the coil.

The bottom coil is smaller, so this fits just inside. That was part of my issues putting it all back in. That little pigtail doesn’t necessarily sit straight when the spring gets compressed. It’s already dangerous, then stuff being crooked makes it worse.

Yes, that white stripe sleeve is where both coils were broken. I also had a small break on the bottom on one side. Amazing that the vehicle drove so well given all this! I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t look! Much safer now.

Part of the reason why I wanted to spray Krown was so some could seep into the coil cover piece to hopefully prevent moisture and corrosion.

Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to do work on the spring and install it without scratching some part of the primary coating.

 

[JHZR2]

I’ve put some decent highway miles on the vehicle. I’m a bit surprised at the ride.

I still have a slight vibration. I was hoping that this was due to bad shocks and struts, and the broken springs. I guess there is some abnormal tire wear though I can’t see it again.

It rides better, firmer, but now over some bumps and chop, the vehicle feels like it wants to go one side first, or to unevenly. Not sure why, everything is the same. It didn’t ride like this with the old or shocks and broken springs.

Any ideas?