Spring preparation 2012
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Got the car on axle stands this afternoon and removed the wheels in order to access the four corners for future major surgery. Apart from some surface rust on the rotors (normal as the car has not moved since early November, the rotors are worn with a large lip but no scoring. Plenty of meat on the pads too, but those will be dumped for new EPC's. The rear suspension arms are a bit rusty. I may pull them out to check, clean and paint
Some pictures:
Some pictures:
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Got the car on axle stands this afternoon and removed the wheels in order to access the four corners for future major surgery. Apart from some surface rust on the rotors (normal as the car has not moved since early November, the rotors are worn with a large lip but no scoring. Plenty of meat on the pads too, but those will be dumped for new EPC's. The rear suspension arms are a bit rusty. I may pull them out to check, clean and paint
Some pictures:
Some pictures:
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Look what DHL delivered this morning.... 
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
So, some latest news...
Due to a mix up with ordered parts, my KW suspension has been delayed and will be arriving later. My calipers and supporting brackets have been cleaned and scrubbed with a wire brush and finished with a Dremel tool. I'll get some pictures later. I have ordered a complete set of rear suspension links and arms which should be arriving today or tomorrow
Due to a mix up with ordered parts, my KW suspension has been delayed and will be arriving later. My calipers and supporting brackets have been cleaned and scrubbed with a wire brush and finished with a Dremel tool. I'll get some pictures later. I have ordered a complete set of rear suspension links and arms which should be arriving today or tomorrow
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
And a new episode of the "spring" show:
Cleaned, scrubbed and painted calipers (I choose silver to remain with the period and as the Monos cover up the brakes, there is nothing much to see, without peeping around)
Cleaned, scrubbed and painted calipers (I choose silver to remain with the period and as the Monos cover up the brakes, there is nothing much to see, without peeping around)
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
The courier service delivered a nice box full of rear suspension arms, including new nuts and bolts
Check out the excentric bolts to adjust the toe-in
Check out the excentric bolts to adjust the toe-in
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
And to finish, I removed all the rear trunk lining to get to the top shock fixing nuts. All 4 shocks have been removed and they certainly look like they are the originals from 99'.
Quick question, is the rectangular box on the right with cooling fins the Bose amp? I never thought I would find it there
Quick question, is the rectangular box on the right with cooling fins the Bose amp? I never thought I would find it there
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
It is a 215 because the 215/45 outer diameter more closely matches that of the 245/40 on the rear. That is important on the rear in order to not overstress the rear diff when driving on the spare. On the front, it doesn't matter if the diameters are different since they are not driven wheels. And putting a 245 spare would be too wide to replace a front tire, so the 215 is the best compromise to fit both ends of the vehicle.
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
It is a 215 because the 215/45 outer diameter more closely matches that of the 245/40 on the rear. That is important on the rear in order to not overstress the rear diff when driving on the spare. On the front, it doesn't matter if the diameters are different since they are not driven wheels. And putting a 245 spare would be too wide to replace a front tire, so the 215 is the best compromise to fit both ends of the vehicle.
Also, with speed limited to 80kmh this would be another factor not to stress too much the diff. With 18" monos on the vehicle, I wonder if the spare will still be usable in case of a puncture without undue problems, Any ideas?
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; May 3, 2012 at 03:14 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I dismantled all the rear suspension and found that it had the minimum 1 nib spacer under the spring.
Come next week, I'll probably start putting everything together again with refreshed or new parts. Jeez, it is early May and the car has not turned over since November I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms
Come next week, I'll probably start putting everything together again with refreshed or new parts. Jeez, it is early May and the car has not turned over since November
I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
And to finish, I removed all the rear trunk lining to get to the top shock fixing nuts. All 4 shocks have been removed and they certainly look like they are the originals from 99'.
Quick question, is the rectangular box on the right with cooling fins the Bose amp? I never thought I would find it there
Quick question, is the rectangular box on the right with cooling fins the Bose amp? I never thought I would find it there
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
And to finish, I removed all the rear trunk lining to get to the top shock fixing nuts. All 4 shocks have been removed and they certainly look like they are the originals from 99'.
Quick question, is the rectangular box on the right with cooling fins the Bose amp? I never thought I would find it there
Quick question, is the rectangular box on the right with cooling fins the Bose amp? I never thought I would find it there
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
The amp is mounted on the left not the right as first mentioned in my post. Sorry 503 and thanks for pointing this out. Sh*it I can't make the difference between left and right 
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; May 5, 2012 at 12:31 PM.
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
Now that is interesting and something I didn't think about or realise Also, with speed limited to 80kmh this would be another factor not to stress too much the diff. With 18" monos on the vehicle, I wonder if the spare will still be usable in case of a puncture without undue problems, Any ideas?
Also, with speed limited to 80kmh this would be another factor not to stress too much the diff. With 18" monos on the vehicle, I wonder if the spare will still be usable in case of a puncture without undue problems, Any ideas?I use the following calculator to figure out differences in diameter between tire sizes. Realize that every manufacturer is a little different, so not 100% accurate. As far as a percentage to stay within, I really don't know where the line is. I would say get it as close as possible. Running a 245/45/17 instead of a 245/40/17 on my rears was enough to make the cruise control not work, so it doesn't take a lot to throw it off.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
What size tires are you running on the 18's?
I use the following calculator to figure out differences in diameter between tire sizes. Realize that every manufacturer is a little different, so not 100% accurate. As far as a percentage to stay within, I really don't know where the line is. I would say get it as close as possible. Running a 245/45/17 instead of a 245/40/17 on my rears was enough to make the cruise control not work, so it doesn't take a lot to throw it off.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
I use the following calculator to figure out differences in diameter between tire sizes. Realize that every manufacturer is a little different, so not 100% accurate. As far as a percentage to stay within, I really don't know where the line is. I would say get it as close as possible. Running a 245/45/17 instead of a 245/40/17 on my rears was enough to make the cruise control not work, so it doesn't take a lot to throw it off.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Front 225x40
Rear 255x35
Here's my reference link: http://www.alloywheels.com/Tyre_Calculator
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; May 7, 2012 at 04:49 PM. Reason: Added link
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
The 18" will be as follows:
Front 225x40
Rear 255x35
Here's my reference link: http://www.alloywheels.com/Tyre_Calculator
Front 225x40
Rear 255x35
Here's my reference link: http://www.alloywheels.com/Tyre_Calculator
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From: Germany
C43 AMG 5.5 - 396.4HP
[quote=ECTurboGSX;5178022]...the 215/45 outer diameter more closely matches that of the 245/40 on the rear...quote]
but only in theory... in real life the diameter can vary between +1.5% and -2.5% and unfortunately tire manufacturers feel free to use this range.
Don't count on any calculated values. You need to ask the tire manufacturer for the real values.
There is the same problem with tire width. You can have about 40mm (1.5'') difference with same tire format.
but only in theory... in real life the diameter can vary between +1.5% and -2.5% and unfortunately tire manufacturers feel free to use this range.
Don't count on any calculated values. You need to ask the tire manufacturer for the real values.
There is the same problem with tire width. You can have about 40mm (1.5'') difference with same tire format.
Last edited by popey24; May 9, 2012 at 07:12 AM.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I am starting to be pissed off to say the least with the company in Germany (Siekmann Tuning) who is supposed to send my KW suspension kit. They promised an update and confirmation last Thursday and I'm still waiting 
I gave them 48h to follow up and give me a reply. Otherwise I'll pull the plug and cancel the order. Problem is I have already paid (common practice in Germany) so I have to get my money back too. So for the moment only option would be reinstall the original suspension or else go for a H&R and B8s which I can get locally.
I gave them 48h to follow up and give me a reply. Otherwise I'll pull the plug and cancel the order. Problem is I have already paid (common practice in Germany) so I have to get my money back too. So for the moment only option would be reinstall the original suspension or else go for a H&R and B8s which I can get locally.
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I used the Klann type spring compressor this afternoon to remove the front springs. It took me 15mins the first side (left) and only 5 minutes on the other side. Very quick when you know how to use it. Wow, is it a fantastic tool but it needs careful use. I nearly swiped off my left thumb when removing the tension from the second spring when part of the tool slipped It is important to place the two cups as far up and down as possible and compress a max. Check the difference between a compressed and non compressed spring.
I'll get some pictures on here later
PS I received confirmation late this morning that the KW suspension is on the road to here
It is important to place the two cups as far up and down as possible and compress a max. Check the difference between a compressed and non compressed spring.I'll get some pictures on here later
PS I received confirmation late this morning that the KW suspension is on the road to here
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; May 10, 2012 at 02:48 PM. Reason: Added pictures
Thread Starter
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Installing my renovated/repainted and new front brakes today Picture is for one side
- OE cross drilled rotor 334x32
- EBC Yellowpads
- SS pipes
- Pad wear sensors
Picture is for one side - OE cross drilled rotor 334x32
- EBC Yellowpads
- SS pipes
- Pad wear sensors
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Sorry people, but my spring wake up will have to wait. While working on the front brakes, I suffered a heart attack:-S operated immediately upon arrival at the hospital and I have surfaced since. I AM writing this post from my hospital bed. Will be out of operations for a couple of weeks. DRBC43AMG signing out but will still be lurking around
