[Jeremy Clarkson]

I posted an issue about my camber being out a few months ago. My tires are finally worn and I'm getting ready for a long road trip this week so I'm trying to get this thing resolved. I have Bilstein B4 with adjustable height and the TRW control arms with camber adjustments. I am trying to get the alignment correct for the car but somehow I can't find the balance. The last place I left it was that camber was too negative and I haven't touched the alignment since about last summer. Wifes re was out of town this week so I played with the setting and here is where I landed. With the struts set to their highest setting and the camber in as far as it goes alignment looks like this, however, the front of the car looks way too high visibility:

Probably not the most scientific with the tires all inflated to spec checked the height from the ground to the tip of tires - there was about an inch gap which was 4 notches, so I lowered the springs by that amounts get an alignment again and ended up here:

I was getting new tires put on this weekend and lowered car to 6 notches (where I measured the factory Sach shocks to be). The tire shop did a free alignment inspection and came up with this-
(you can't see the top few notches)

The thing to notice is that the Camber seems to be out too much when the car is at factory ride height. My question is - how much should I care about .3-.5 degrees of camber in the front? I know in a perfect world alignment would be all in spec but practically is that enough to make enough of a difference that I should be trying to chase it down? Or is this being way too nitpicky? Any suggestions? Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[cdk4219]

Sounds like the lower control rear arm bushings or ball joints may be worn. I believe you can get some camber bolts to alleviate it. It will get you in spec, but I believe yiu have to do the caster or front control arm bolts as well to get that correct. Regardless if any suspension part is worn, and they do regularly fail in these cars, it would be advised to repair that before the bolt bandaid fix. There is no real adjustment for camber on these cars from the factory.

 

[Jeremy Clarkson]

Sounds like the lower control rear arm bushings or ball joints may be worn. I believe you can get some camber bolts to alleviate it. It will get you in spec, but I believe yiu have to do the caster or front control arm bolts as well to get that correct. Regardless if any suspension part is worn, and they do regularly fail in these cars, it would be advised to repair that before the bolt bandaid fix. There is no real adjustment for camber on these cars from the factory.

Probably a few important things I left out. the last alignment is only an inspection I changed the height then took it to the tire shop I was going to take it back once I figure front height. I think the reason the rears are out is due to the height change.

Other important thing I missed was all of the rubber components I can think of are new (1 to 2 years old) Rear control arms, adjustment arms, front lower control arm, front lower ball joint, upper front ball joint, thrust arms (changed with the syncro design arms), tie rod ends, Front sway bar end links

 

[cdk4219]

Looks like these have no adjustment capabilities at all? How would one go about adjusting the front end with these parts? Possibly KMac for the camber, but not sure if the caster needs Attention.

 

[Jeremy Clarkson]

Looks like these have no adjustment capabilities at all? How would one go about adjusting the front end with these parts? Possibly KMac for the camber, but not sure if the caster needs Attention.

The rears have toe and it can effect camber (I think)

Mercedes Control Arm - Corteco 2303500329

Mercedes Control Arm - Corteco 2303500329

www.fcpeuro.com

The front factory arms do not have camber however the kit I bought from FCP has camber adjustment but it's I think .5 degree increments

Mercedes Control Arm Kit - 516432

Mercedes Control Arm Kit - 516432

www.fcpeuro.com

.
Unless you're talking about something completely different

 

[CetiAlpha5]

How about this Camber/Caster bolt kit?

100930 Mercedes-Benz Control Arm Bolt Kit (Camber/Caster Adjustment) FEBI BILSTEIN 2209900099

Mercedes-Benz Control Arm Bolt Kit (Camber/Caster Adjustment) FEBI BILSTEIN 2209900099, FEBI BILSTEIN part number 100930. SKU 2209900099-MFG36. Fast shipping, 3-year warranty and U.S. based customer service. Order today!

www.europartsplus.com

Also when I did my struts, I think the ring on the B4 was on the 2nd or 3rd ring so 6 up sounds pretty high. I would think that would give you less spring travel and make for a hasher ride.

 

[cdk4219]

That’s what he’s got with the 2 grooves that allow the slots in the lower control arms to move into the slots. It allows for 1/2 degree or so. Pull the lower control arm in, the caster is going to be changed as it’s going to push the lower arm backwards, and also push the lower ball joint rearward decreasing caster. Not a huge deal, but his thrust arm has no adjustment at all, so the caster is what it is at that point.

 

[Jeremy Clarkson]

That’s what he’s got with the 2 grooves that allow the slots in the lower control arms to move into the slots. It allows for 1/2 degree or so. Pull the lower control arm in, the caster is going to be changed as it’s going to push the lower arm backwards, and also push the lower ball joint rearward decreasing caster. Not a huge deal, but his thrust arm has no adjustment at all, so the caster is what it is at that point.

Is castor adjustable on any w211s? According to the guy at the alignment shop there is no measure for castor on there alignment system.

Are you saying that the castor is throwing off camber because of the inflexibility of the thrust arm?

 

[cdk4219]

Yes, the same bolts that you have for the camber can be used to change the thrust angle. Unfortunately your thrust arms don’t accept those bolts

 

[Jeremy Clarkson]

Yes, the same bolts that you have for the camber can be used to change the thrust angle. Unfortunately your thrust arms don’t accept those bolts

Interesting, my question is how do we know the thrust angle is off? My understanding is there is no spec for thrust angle on these cars?

If there is, how bad is it? And should I be trying to do something about it?

 

[aquadump69]

-1.5 camber in the front is fine.

 

[cdk4219]

Interesting, my question is how do we know the thrust angle is off? My understanding is there is no spec for thrust angle on these cars?

If there is, how bad is it? And should I be trying to do something about it?

Thrust arm affects the caster angle, and when you pull the bottom rear arm in to decrease the camber, it will move the caster angle as well. As said above it more than likely will be fine and if you would like to pull the camber in the caster will likely be fine as well.

 

[classicgolfstx]

What was the final height from center of rim to top of fender