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G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Any post where the initial author's intention is share information pertaining to parts specific to the G-klasse. This includes information about the parts needed for a certain repair job, or how to find the parts (different suppliers, etc).
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Gelande
Posts: 5327

G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#1 » Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:42 am

Like my previous posts about generics (i.e.: bearings, seals, etc)

Here is a post about the generic knock off copies of suspension springs available to you as an option vs. the expense required to purchase them from Mercedes or Gwagen parts shops.

There are several companies making custom springs, several have now for some time such as ORC and Extreme in Germany. ORC makes one set that offers a 2.5-3 inch lift but they typically are not progressive rate in the rear and are very stiff. Extreme makes two different spring sets and they are very good at balancing performance with comfort, but again, typically the rear springs are not progressive.

The G uses Progressive coils that offer an ever changing diameter of wire thickness from end of spring (narrower) to center (wider) to end (narrow again). This is key because it allows the truck to handle and perform on and off road in the same manner no matter how much load is in the rear.

So it is imperative above all else that the springs you choose, no matter their maker are progressive coil diameter for the rear of the truck. The front does not need this as its load does not change as greatly as the rear.

Some companies (not just for the G) offer progressive coils which instead of having the coil wire diameter vary, instead the spacing between coils varies. The wide the coil space, the softer the rate of those coils within the range. The narrower, the stiffer. I have found this much less effective an approach when compared to progressive coil diameter.

Why aren't all springs progressive coil diameter? This is because the machines that make these are about 100 zillion dollars, and protected by licenses. There are only a couple of these machines in the world. Eibach has the one that makes all the springs for the G.

I approached Eibach about 8 years ago in regard to making custom springs with this machine to design specs different from those offered from Mercedes. They were interested but it required me to order at least 100 springs at a time, and for many companies that is nothing, but I could not afford to fund it, so I let it go.

OK, so anyways, that is the summary of why we are where we are today with the limitations of G springs available in the market.

The part numbers below offer a look at what springs mercedes makes that have generic copies made by two companies. One company is SPIDAN and the other SACHS.

Front Springs

Color Mercedes Number SPIDAN number SACHS number

Yellow 4603210204 49713 997696

Brown 4603215004 49715 997697

Yellow/Orange 4603210604 49349 997698

Red 4603210504 55760 not made by sachs


Rear Springs

Green 4603240304 48994 996050
Yellow 4603240204 49348 996547
Yell/Orange 4603240704 49418 996548
White 4603240504 49714 not made by sachs

There are many other color codes like lilac, blue, red rear, beige, white front, blue front, blue rear. These are available from Mercedes using the original numbers, but they don't seem to have ever been made by aftermarket companies or at least not at this time they aren't.

Front White is 4603210404
Front Blue is 4603210004
Rear Brown is 4603240604
Rear Purple is 4603240004
Rear REd is 4603240804
Rear Blue is 4603241004
Rear Beige is 4603241104

The springs on 463s are same as on 460s, all springs fit all Gwagens from 1979 to 2015.

Hope this helps you when you are looking for that next set of springs, to know what numbers to use, and in some cases to save money on aftermarket / generic offers.

Happy Driving!
Attachments
20140614_104608.jpg

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diesel_jim
Posts: 1077

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#2 » Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:19 pm

Very informative write up.... but, any chance of explaining to the uneducated like myself, what the colours relate to? as in, standard, HD, xtra HD, military etc?

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AlanMcR
Posts: 7729

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#3 » Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:41 pm

diesel_jim wrote:Very informative write up.... but, any chance of explaining to the uneducated like myself, what the colours relate to? as in, standard, HD, xtra HD, military etc?

The colors just allow you to figure out what spring is currently installed. Going from there, you'll need to figure out how you want to move around on the spring charts:
Springs-Front.gif

Springs-Rear.gif

sprinter 711651

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#4 » Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:10 pm

.
Last edited by sprinter 711651 on Tue Jul 07, 2015 12:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Nathansharkey
Posts: 28

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#5 » Sat Jan 24, 2015 1:36 am

Cool!

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diesel_jim
Posts: 1077

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#6 » Sat Jan 24, 2015 2:23 am

Ah Ok, so looking at the top chart, the yellow spring would be the softest (As in, when it's loaded up it compresses the most)
Blue would be the stiffest, least compression, and red the tallest unsprung but medium kind of comprssion when loaded up.

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diesel_jim
Posts: 1077

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#7 » Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:02 pm

Adding to this, I had an OME suspension parts listing that some may find useful... hopefully attached...
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GWagon_OME.pdf
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Otiswesty
Posts: 9465

Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#8 » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:37 am

Thor sells a nice custom spring lift set that has been rated in comparison with the Mercedes springs.
\http://vikingoffroad.com/g-wagen-coil-springs/
Attachments
THOR-Spring-Graph_Mercedes-Benz-G-Class-rear-700565__46826.1479492913.1280.1280.png
THOR-Spring-Graph_Mercedes-Benz-G-Class-front-700560__77675.1479492911.1280.1280.png
461.213, 463.241

Suppatime
Posts: 1215
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Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#9 » Fri Dec 22, 2017 2:01 pm

Otiswesty wrote:Thor sells a nice custom spring lift set that has been rated in comparison with the Mercedes springs.
\http://vikingoffroad.com/g-wagen-coil-springs/


Thor has walked me through his suspension upgrades. I've spent a LOT of time with him this year as he's been single-handedly restoring Puchy... this man knows his stuff. I'm still using Bilsteins and factory SWB progressive springs, but the build quality of his suspension is second to none.
Filmmaker, Musician, Car Nitwit
Hollywood, CA USA

1980 Mercedes 300GD SWB - OM606/5-speed "Puchy"
2003 Mercedes C32 AMG "Dolores"- FLOODED AND TOTALED
2015 Kia Soul - BOOOOOOOO

Ericsworld
Posts: 262
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Re: G Springs and Aftermarket Bargain Versions

Post#10 » Tue Feb 13, 2018 10:08 am

May I ask what the correct color combo of Front and Rear springs is for a standard 463 00+ G500? No extra accessories (no winch, no racks, etc).

I would like to maintain the factory, level ride height and also the factory ride quality.

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