Do I technically need an alignment if car is lowered? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

ps2cho · 03-23-2011, 06:57 PM

One of my rear tires blew today...I replaced all my rear control arms over xmas, I guess its way out of alignment now on one side. The wire was showing on the inside of the tire

If I now get the whole car aligned (@ dealer using spreader bar as I want steering centered too), "technically" if I put sportline springs on in the coming months, I shouldn't need to get the car realigned because the only thing I will be changing is camber...

Am I right? I want to avoid having to get 2 alignments..

Jared H · 03-23-2011, 08:32 PM

You should always get an alignment after you lower a car, as the car gets lower the camber will change and that will wear your tires very fast. If I were you I would park the car till I have the new springs and go get it aligned once.

ps2cho · 03-23-2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared H

You should always get an alignment after you lower a car, as the car gets lower the camber will change and that will wear your tires very fast. If I were you I would park the car till I have the new springs and go get it aligned once.

Right -- but since the camber is not adjustable, then no further change would happen?

Jared H · 03-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Yeah, But thats why you would want to do the alignment after you lower it, not before. Better to double check it then let something go that could be prevented.

**MBeige** · 03-23-2011, 08:57 PM

The camber can be adjusted on the rear using camber adjustment kits (upper control arm with locked adjustable screw to lengthen or shorten the control arm.

Not sure how the front camber is adjusted, however.

Grandmas300e · 03-24-2011, 12:16 AM

Camber may wear your tires a bit, but Toe is what ultimately shreds tires. I'm not too familiar with the w124 rear suspension yet, but I didnt see any trailing arms or anything kind of Toe adjustment. Although, I did see a lot of linkages in the sway bar set up and if you have any play there then, that will give you some kind of movement in your Toe while driving. I had a BMW e36 with adjustable Rear Trailing Arms, and the Bushing were so bad that I had 2 new tires go out in 2 months. I replaced the RTAB's, aligned the front and rear, but I still had a -2 camber setup in the rears, and I never had a problem or worn tires again. So camber may play a part but the Dynamic Toe is what I would start looking into first. I hope this helps.

winmutt · 03-24-2011, 07:07 AM

Rear camber cannot be adjusted, toe can. I need to have my car aligned as well. have been waiting as I am pondering getting the shortened control arms from RDM vs KMAC camber kit.

RDMTEK SHOCK TOWERS FOR MERCEDES BENZ 124 AND 201 CHASSIS
K-MAC Rear suspension kits to suit Mercedes
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I have heard that the kmac ones will slip.

winmutt · 03-24-2011, 02:34 PM

I think I am going to the RDM tek. My LCA's are the only part I did not replace because I was lowering. You still need to buy bushing on top of it but I just replaced all the other links and it would be a shame to press out the new bushings. I do like the adjustable idea but really once the camber is set I am done.

Inspector · 03-24-2011, 04:03 PM

LCA bushes have different hardness rubber and have to be installed in the correct location and orientation to the ground. Otherwise your steering wheel will wobble like out of balance wheels. Read MB Instruction!
OEM Manufactures get this wrong with their aftermarket stuff. Always buy MB for these components or assemble the bushes yourself.

Rear Camber is adjustable with MB bolts.

Rear toe is adjustable.

Get the alignment done twice or wait.

justinwrock · 03-25-2011, 12:42 AM

Yeah, get it aligned.

Lowering will not only throw off your camber, but your toe will also be off, which will eat tires....

Before my fully adjustable rear link conversion, I got like 6k miles out of a set of new Michelin Pilots!