[Chris 430]

Hi All,

I have trawaled through all the posts I can find on my issue but I still cannot find a solution. I have a 2000 CLK 430 Its got a full carlsson lowering kit springs and shocks, and AMG big discs and calpers 336mm. (No spring pads so quite low)

The probelm is on anything more than 1/2 - 3/4 lock the wheels/tyres bind up and buckle under the car (this is how it feels) no bangs but the car wobbles around and I get feedback through the steering wheel.

I have followed the fixes, so I have replaced Lower Balljoints, Upper wishbones, Central Drag links, steering damper, new front shocks (CLK55's). And had it laser aligned twice.

It now feels tight straight ahead but at parking speeds, and now even turning at T junctions it buckles etc.

Its Driving me mad, and I am close to selling because of it. Shame as the car is great otherwise. Fast, handles (at speed) and has really great brakes.

And I know I have not replaced lower wishbones/bushes but these have been checked at two different garages, and driver side is only 3 years old (OEM from a MB dealer).

Any ideas Please. I am running out of parts to replace, and I cannot see how worn steering box can give me these issues.

PS I have also got the idler bush kit but it had no play in it when I swapped out the draglink so I did not change as they are a pain to DIY without a press.

 

[dlbehrns]

the car is obviously too low and the tires are binding/rubbing on the wheel wells or something down there. pull one of the wheels off and look at the tire and rim to see where it is rubbing. if should be very simple to ascertain where the ware and problem is. This isn't rocket science.

 

[Chris 430]

Hi,
That was the first thing I checked. Its low but not that low.

No marks in either wheel well, and no tyre wall marks.

I will try to post a pic.

 

[Chris 430]

these might help on how low is low

 

[allan1]

Its not too low at all.. there is a big gap between wheel and a car, so not low.

 

[davidclk]

the car looks pretty taken care of...i would think twice before selling it since i would always miss it if i had to do it.some' to think about

 

[nrphlly]

one thing you left out

Hi All,

I have trawaled through all the posts I can find on my issue but I still cannot find a solution. I have a 2000 CLK 430 Its got a full carlsson lowering kit springs and shocks, and AMG big discs and calpers 336mm. (No spring pads so quite low)

The probelm is on anything more than 1/2 - 3/4 lock the wheels/tyres bind up and buckle under the car (this is how it feels) no bangs but the car wobbles around and I get feedback through the steering wheel.

I have followed the fixes, so I have replaced Lower Balljoints, Upper wishbones, Central Drag links, steering damper, new front shocks (CLK55's). And had it laser aligned twice.

It now feels tight straight ahead but at parking speeds, and now even turning at T junctions it buckles etc.

Its Driving me mad, and I am close to selling because of it. Shame as the car is great otherwise. Fast, handles (at speed) and has really great brakes.

And I know I have not replaced lower wishbones/bushes but these have been checked at two different garages, and driver side is only 3 years old (OEM from a MB dealer).

Any ideas Please. I am running out of parts to replace, and I cannot see how worn steering box can give me these issues.

PS I have also got the idler bush kit but it had no play in it when I swapped out the draglink so I did not change as they are a pain to DIY without a press.

make sure you have the absolute best tie rods!!! they dont control steering they independetly hold the wheel to the drag link, ALL BY THERE LONESOME.. i have experienced this with every vehicle i have owned

i hope that helps

 

[Chris 430]

Thanks I do want to keep it if I can fix the noise. One of those things can't seem to enjoy it if it's not 100%.

 

[Chris 430]

make sure you have the absolute best tie rods!!! they dont control steering they independetly hold the wheel to the drag link, ALL BY THERE LONESOME.. i have experienced this with every vehicle i have owned

i hope that helps

I did get tie rods and new ends with the drag link, they were lemforder I recall any good. I was told german oem ? ?

 

[nrphlly]

sounds as if

I did get tie rods and new ends with the drag link, they were lemforder I recall any good. I was told german oem ? ?

the lowering it you installed has the clk unbalanced. How is tire wear? Is it uneven on any wheel?

 

[wigs_22]

does the "vibration" or whatever it is you are feeling through the steering wheel only happen when you are stopped? are your engine mounts shot. i'm no expert but your description sounds like the engine is bouncing around.

 

[Chris 430]

Not seen any uneven wear I am running two degrees negitive so I do burn the inside edges a bit but that's expected. Alignment is good it's been done twice the last two months and all spot on. I wonder about my callipers as the are larger is the steering stop too far away allowing too much lock.

 

[Chris 430]

does the "vibration" or whatever it is you are feeling through the steering wheel only happen when you are stopped? are your engine mounts shot. i'm no expert but your description sounds like the engine is bouncing around.

Issue is only seen on lock at crawling pace parking etc. But I will check mounts just in case. No vibrations at tick over or when pulling away changing gear.
I wiu check and advise though cheers

 

[bobbyjo9]

Your not loosing your mind.. I have the same situation. My tire wear is as if they are under inflated burning inside and outside edges. Havent found the reason yet but just take it slow when at full lock. I agree it's a strange feeling with no problems under normal conditions

 

[JapSpec]

i get the same issue. at low speeds only when turning right. It feels like the tires kick back to the left and the steering wheel gets feedback but my car is at stock height.

Tie rods??

 

[Chris 430]

i get the same issue. at low speeds only when turning right. It feels like the tires kick back to the left and the steering wheel gets feedback but my car is at stock height.

Tie rods??

I would suggest drag links and rods with new ends would fix it. But note my issues after applying same fix.
I think my lowering kit has not help me though.

 

[Chris 430]

I have had further advice and I am now fitting camber repair kit (bolts) to front wishbones to try to get negitive camber lower than current -2 degrees. Hope it helps but I am grasping at straws.
Mb wis states it can bring in camber by 20 minutes.

I will probably look at some spring pads to prop up the front, again to helped camber numbers.

 

[Chris 430]

Ok I have managed to contact the garage that fitted the kit Birds uk a carlsson dealer back in 2004.
The MD has explained that many of the w202 and w208 cars they lowered and tuned did this on lock buckling etc. He also mentioned their clk 320 supercharged demo car was just in for work and that also suffered this issue. I was told on lock you get such high toe out numbers that tyre scrub is unavoidable.
I have done a lot of testing of this and can confirm once heat is in the tyres the effects almost totally disappear.