Camber Kit
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Camber Kit
So I went to go get my allignment and was told that my camber was off by 1.9 degrees negative. They said factory specs is between .2 and.8. I went to my dealer and they said that there are no specs and camber depends on the individual car. They have a kit to adjust it .3 degrees to make it at 1.6. I don't think this is enough but the dealer does. The place where I got it alligned doesn't think it is enough either. I don't know who to believe or what camber kit I need. Can all of you who already lowered your cars tell me what's up?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
There's a repair bolt available from the dealer. After installation, the alignment procedure is something like:
1) measure alignment
2) look up values on chart
3) chart indicates new position to rotate repair bolt
So, technically, there aren't any "specs" to align to. However, if you look at the chart, and your caster/camber values are in the "no change necessary", then those are valid specs.
The repair bolt will probably not fully correct the change caused by lowering the car. However, it does help, and will make your tires last quite a bit longer.
Also note that if I'm reading your post correctly, and you're reporting the values correctly, the factory specs are +0.5 +/- 0.3 degrees. This seems consistent with many cars' specs. Although this is fine for the "general public" it won't produce handling anywhere near as good as what you can get by running about -0.5 degrees.
I also prefer to have more caster than the specs usually call for. This gives the wheel a better "on center" feel and helps counteract the wear on the inside of the tire due to the negative camber.
-s- (former alignment technician)
1) measure alignment
2) look up values on chart
3) chart indicates new position to rotate repair bolt
So, technically, there aren't any "specs" to align to. However, if you look at the chart, and your caster/camber values are in the "no change necessary", then those are valid specs.
The repair bolt will probably not fully correct the change caused by lowering the car. However, it does help, and will make your tires last quite a bit longer.
Also note that if I'm reading your post correctly, and you're reporting the values correctly, the factory specs are +0.5 +/- 0.3 degrees. This seems consistent with many cars' specs. Although this is fine for the "general public" it won't produce handling anywhere near as good as what you can get by running about -0.5 degrees.
I also prefer to have more caster than the specs usually call for. This gives the wheel a better "on center" feel and helps counteract the wear on the inside of the tire due to the negative camber.
-s- (former alignment technician)
