SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: CAMBER SETTINGS

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Old 11-02-2014, 12:56 PM
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sl600
CAMBER SETTINGS

Does anybody have good info on the stock camber settings and also what should I do with the caster/camber for circuit track use? This is for a 2010 Sl600
Old 11-04-2014, 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by F1BHP
Does anybody have good info on the stock camber settings and also what should I do with the caster/camber for circuit track use? This is for a 2010 Sl600




Fact is “Full front and rear wheel alignment” is no more!


Since the mid ‘90 model’s, with the ever increasing speed of vehicle assembly lines there has been no front or rear Camber (or front Caster) adjustment facility fitted OEM


Only current adjustment is front and rear Toe!

To attempt to return vehicle to factory specs to resolve costly premature inner edge tire wear, improve traction, and fix steering pull the only current alternative for Camber and Caster is to fit offset, slotted bolts (for the front only). But these are inaccurate - one only position bolts - offering a minimal .3 of one degree adjustment (3mm / 1/8”).

It’s no wonder many owners continually change tire brands or go from one MB Dealer or alignment shop to another trying to get it right/fix the problem!



We saw the need therefore "to fix it right the first time" by designing, developing, patenting (and re-instating from the 1990's) fully adjustable front (and rear) suspension for virtually all models.

The current K-MAC kits have up to 4 times the adjustment of these one only position offset bolts (both Positive or Negative). And unlike these one position bolts they can be accurately adjusted on car(under load) direct on alignment turntable (no need for labor intensive removal/replacement each time).



Ongoing, precise adjustment of both Camber and Caster settings if altering suspension height, fitting wide profile tires/wheels, curb knock damage or being able to quickly fine tune/change specs on race days (extra Negative/plus track width to go deeper into the corners/lower lap times). With the unique K-MAC patented design only requiring use of a single wrench/no disassembly.

For the rear, similar kits for precise Camber adjustment (with additional Toe to compensate for the new Camber facility). Importantly unlike the alternative rear adjustable Camber control arms available K-MAC kits do not move top of tire outwards - this reducing essential clearance top of tire to outer fender when adjusting to fix premature inner edge tire wear/improve rear traction.



Also instead of spherical bearings as used on control arms which prematurely pound out allowing metal to metal contact. At K-MAC we have developed long life elastomer bushings.


Bonus with the four front and four rear bushes is that they are also designed with twice the load bearing area and replace the highest wearing suspension bushings. And with K-MAC no special tools are required to fit.


Note (Product background re bushings): Majority OEM bushes have air voids to allow 2 axis movement. So control arms can travel through their required arcs without binding, locking up.


Essential with today’s modern designs of “multi-link” arms with different angle mount points!


Yet most “aftermarket” replacement bushes the industry standard is to eliminate these air voids in an attempt to improve both steering response and reduce wheel hop, loss of traction under brake and acceleration.


The opposite is often the case – the elimination of the air voids causes even more severe wheel hop, loss of traction through binding, locking up of arms.


K-MAC bushes – with 50 years now of bush technology are designed without the air voids but where needed with “full 2 axis movement”. Result is power to the ground – maximum traction/acceleration/braking - along with noticeably improved directional control and steering response for highway driving, lane changing.
Old 11-04-2014, 06:40 AM
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Thx. K-Mac but the reason I was asking was because I have purchased your front kit along with the rear bolt from mercedes and would like to know the recommended settings for stock as well as track use. If you could help with that it would be appritiated.
Old 11-11-2014, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by F1BHP
Thx. K-Mac but the reason I was asking was because I have purchased your front kit along with the rear bolt from mercedes and would like to know the recommended settings for stock as well as track use. If you could help with that it would be appritiated.




Recommended settings we find there are too many variables - especially track use - tires, ride height, suspension stiffness, bump steer, etc.


With the K-MAC front kit now for the first time you will be able to have full Camber and Caster adjustment capability and unlike the one (minimal) offset position crash bolts will be able to precisely adjust settings.


You mention "rear bolt from Mercedes" - the only crash bolts are for front while K-MAC rear adjuster kits provides Camber adjustment - which is precisely adjustable plus includes extra Toe adjustment to accommodate this new Camber facility.



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