plan on lowering
#26
So I finally got the Bilstein HD's installed and I am truly impressed!!![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
The handling and cornering is much improved with lots of control at 70mph. not a rough ride at all. very comfy. and the stance has remained low and actually has evened out, because from the back of my car you could see a slight lean to one side. now the car stands even and doesn't "rock" when I jump from stand still, nor does it "dive" anymore or bottom out, damn I hated that clunking noise. I will post some pics soon after I'm able to clean it up. winter weather nasty right now.
scale of 1-5, for my application, I give it a 5 just because of the vast improvement I got from riding stock height with stock shocks.
H&R's + HD's is the way to go for me.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
The handling and cornering is much improved with lots of control at 70mph. not a rough ride at all. very comfy. and the stance has remained low and actually has evened out, because from the back of my car you could see a slight lean to one side. now the car stands even and doesn't "rock" when I jump from stand still, nor does it "dive" anymore or bottom out, damn I hated that clunking noise. I will post some pics soon after I'm able to clean it up. winter weather nasty right now.
scale of 1-5, for my application, I give it a 5 just because of the vast improvement I got from riding stock height with stock shocks.
H&R's + HD's is the way to go for me.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
Last edited by benz rider; 12-22-2010 at 09:22 AM.
#27
mine actually sits lowerr than yours imo. your ground kit makes up for it a bit, bu it looks like I may have you by a cm or two and I have no ground kit. I run 17's, what isze wheels are those on yours?
#28
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
Who did your shock install? What did that cost out of curiosity?
#29
I'm running the same size and tires on the front of mine too.
I think I need to explain something. I've been riding on bad shocks/H&R springs for a looong time. and I think the dead weight from my car on the H&R's without any support from shocks since mine were toast, they settled a bit more than the average settle. and when I added the *new* shocks, they just conformed to the settle that was already there from the sag on the springs from riding like that for so long.
#30
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
ya and H+R's are known to settle over time. I've owned a few pairs on other cars and they do settle noticeably over time.
My Lexus dropped almost another 3/4 inch over 12 months. It was scary how much it settled.
My Lexus dropped almost another 3/4 inch over 12 months. It was scary how much it settled.
#32
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A. you needed
bilstein sport shocks not HD's
the sports have shorter travel to make up for the shorter lowering springs.
You are going to pound those shocks to death very shortly.
B. You tires in the rear are going to wear out rather quickly since your camber going way negative by lowering the car has not be addressed as an issue.
Camber bushings or links need to be installed.
C.Your front tires same issue. Camber eccentrics
You will find that out when you try to get it aligned(which you needed to do when you lowered it)
the sports have shorter travel to make up for the shorter lowering springs.
You are going to pound those shocks to death very shortly.
B. You tires in the rear are going to wear out rather quickly since your camber going way negative by lowering the car has not be addressed as an issue.
Camber bushings or links need to be installed.
C.Your front tires same issue. Camber eccentrics
You will find that out when you try to get it aligned(which you needed to do when you lowered it)
#34
bilstein sport shocks not HD's
the sports have shorter travel to make up for the shorter lowering springs.
You are going to pound those shocks to death very shortly.
B. You tires in the rear are going to wear out rather quickly since your camber going way negative by lowering the car has not be addressed as an issue.
Camber bushings or links need to be installed.
C.Your front tires same issue. Camber eccentrics
You will find that out when you try to get it aligned(which you needed to do when you lowered it)
the sports have shorter travel to make up for the shorter lowering springs.
You are going to pound those shocks to death very shortly.
B. You tires in the rear are going to wear out rather quickly since your camber going way negative by lowering the car has not be addressed as an issue.
Camber bushings or links need to be installed.
C.Your front tires same issue. Camber eccentrics
You will find that out when you try to get it aligned(which you needed to do when you lowered it)
and yeah I already know about B & C. I try to get the "toe" adjusted every so often because I don't have the camber bolts and rear links yet. one step at a time.
#36
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
You'll be fine without the camber bolts as long as you have the toe in check. that's the trick.
I'm almost 2 Deg up front and 1 in back and over 10K miles on soft Michelin Pilot sports and there no real camber wear appearing yet. No joke. Not even enough to be concerned about. These cars have slightly less camber on drivers side and non square caster settings to offset crowns in the road. I'm tracking perfectly straight with no issues.
I'm certain there will be some noticable wear as mileage goes on, but by then I suspect It'll be so close to wear bars anyhow it may not even pay to flip tires.
PS you wanna see bad camber wear? Buy an e39 or E46 BMW with sport package and check out what camber wear is all about. BTDT. I had to dial it out with "Non sport" settings to chill it out.
rjp
PS- you sure you got those shocks for $158? You should be over $200 easy. You didn't get 4 REAR shocks did you? I can see how someone can get them reversed. I may get a set of your pricing is right just for the hell of it.
I'm almost 2 Deg up front and 1 in back and over 10K miles on soft Michelin Pilot sports and there no real camber wear appearing yet. No joke. Not even enough to be concerned about. These cars have slightly less camber on drivers side and non square caster settings to offset crowns in the road. I'm tracking perfectly straight with no issues.
I'm certain there will be some noticable wear as mileage goes on, but by then I suspect It'll be so close to wear bars anyhow it may not even pay to flip tires.
PS you wanna see bad camber wear? Buy an e39 or E46 BMW with sport package and check out what camber wear is all about. BTDT. I had to dial it out with "Non sport" settings to chill it out.
rjp
PS- you sure you got those shocks for $158? You should be over $200 easy. You didn't get 4 REAR shocks did you? I can see how someone can get them reversed. I may get a set of your pricing is right just for the hell of it.
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
My shockz....
I found a kick *** mechanic to drop mine in.
Only cost me a gift card from Game Stop and a candy bar...
Check out the dead AMG shocks and the cat-in-heat stance of my car after installation.
Only cost me a gift card from Game Stop and a candy bar...
Check out the dead AMG shocks and the cat-in-heat stance of my car after installation.
#38
you are correct. I got them for $46.95/per shock(4) HD's = $187.80
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
they were wasted when I bought the car. The RF was clanking and had zero damping. it was just a metal rod when I took it out.
this car has sucked up some money since Ive taken it over, for sure but now it drives perfectly..
rjp
this car has sucked up some money since Ive taken it over, for sure but now it drives perfectly..
rjp
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1998 C230 with amg wheels, 2007 c230, 200 Ferrari 360, 1969 Camaro z/28
So in a simpler form how will i lower my 98 c230 with 18in monoblock replicas with no camber wear or damage? i also only want to lower the car an inch or maybe a little more
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
The best place in Seattle (if not the entire universe) WITHOUT A DOUBT for a custom alignment is here- I would go there if I still lived in Seattle:
http://www.trulineseattle.com/
Doug and Byron are absolutely top notch. You will pay for it but after they are done you will have ZERO issues. You haven't seen precision until you have driven on their work. It's incredible.
Granted, with our limited adjustment there isn't a lot to do but at least they will put you into something that will work and not just whatever the specs are SUPPOSED to be.
rjp
PS Hozzer if you got Porsche's in the family that shop is where John Walker sends all his alignment work- I'm sure you are aware of them. They did my 911 up and oh boy did they ever.
Last edited by RANDY_P; 12-30-2010 at 04:28 PM.
#43
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
Oh, and if u don't want to pay for it you can also go to Les Schwab on Rainier in Renton across from the Vitamin store and talk to Aaron Bean or Steve Jackson SR (Managers)
Aaron is killer too.
rjp
Aaron is killer too.
rjp
#44
Both of these have bushes which outlast the OEM bushes.
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1998 C230 with amg wheels, 2007 c230, 200 Ferrari 360, 1969 Camaro z/28
thanks a lot
idk if i will use a local dealership that gives my dad a lot of work and will most likely do it for cheap or someone who could do it right for sure
thanks again
#46
and it really comes down to budget. how much can you spend to do everything now? or build up to it? I'm building up to it. Here's what you need to do it all right and be safe and low:
1.Drop springs (H&R's, Vogtlands or Eibachs) ..there may be others. but these are the top 3. average $240 for a set. add labor for the mechanic
2. Shocks (OEM,Sport, or HD's) matter of taste and performance here. I paid $187 and some change for mine online
3. Camber bolts or KMAC kit upfront - bolts are cheap KMAC is expensive.both will work.
4. adjustable arms in the back - not sure on price here.
I started with the drop springs, and just recently put in the Bilstiens and I still need the camber bolts up front(or maybe the expensive but reliable KMAC kit), and the adjustable arms in the back. once I do those two, I can be rid of excessive tire burn forever. and I wouldn't go higher than 17 inch wheels on these cars but some people do go for the 18-19's .
1.Drop springs (H&R's, Vogtlands or Eibachs) ..there may be others. but these are the top 3. average $240 for a set. add labor for the mechanic
2. Shocks (OEM,Sport, or HD's) matter of taste and performance here. I paid $187 and some change for mine online
3. Camber bolts or KMAC kit upfront - bolts are cheap KMAC is expensive.both will work.
4. adjustable arms in the back - not sure on price here.
I started with the drop springs, and just recently put in the Bilstiens and I still need the camber bolts up front(or maybe the expensive but reliable KMAC kit), and the adjustable arms in the back. once I do those two, I can be rid of excessive tire burn forever. and I wouldn't go higher than 17 inch wheels on these cars but some people do go for the 18-19's .
#47
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and it really comes down to budget. how much can you spend to do everything now? or build up to it? I'm building up to it. Here's what you need to do it all right and be safe and low:
1.Drop springs (H&R's, Vogtlands or Eibachs) ..there may be others. but these are the top 3. average $240 for a set. add labor for the mechanic
2. Shocks (OEM,Sport, or HD's) matter of taste and performance here. I paid $187 and some change for mine online
3. Camber bolts or KMAC kit upfront - bolts are cheap KMAC is expensive.both will work.
4. adjustable arms in the back - not sure on price here.
I started with the drop springs, and just recently put in the Bilstiens and I still need the camber bolts up front(or maybe the expensive but reliable KMAC kit), and the adjustable arms in the back. once I do those two, I can be rid of excessive tire burn forever. and I wouldn't go higher than 17 inch wheels on these cars but some people do go for the 18-19's .
1.Drop springs (H&R's, Vogtlands or Eibachs) ..there may be others. but these are the top 3. average $240 for a set. add labor for the mechanic
2. Shocks (OEM,Sport, or HD's) matter of taste and performance here. I paid $187 and some change for mine online
3. Camber bolts or KMAC kit upfront - bolts are cheap KMAC is expensive.both will work.
4. adjustable arms in the back - not sure on price here.
I started with the drop springs, and just recently put in the Bilstiens and I still need the camber bolts up front(or maybe the expensive but reliable KMAC kit), and the adjustable arms in the back. once I do those two, I can be rid of excessive tire burn forever. and I wouldn't go higher than 17 inch wheels on these cars but some people do go for the 18-19's .
rjp
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1998 C230 with amg wheels, 2007 c230, 200 Ferrari 360, 1969 Camaro z/28
#49
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1998 C230 with amg wheels, 2007 c230, 200 Ferrari 360, 1969 Camaro z/28
Is a camber kit something i neeed... or if my car ends up sitting so low and i start to get camber wear then i should get the kit?
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1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
Ask yourself this: how many guys do you know who are actually lowered on springs actually spend money on camber correction? Ask around and come back. Not guys who PLAN on lowering, but have actually driven some miles on a lowered vehicle.
Every performance car to some extent will have uneven wear on the tires- even stock, that's why you need to rotate tires.
If your intention is just to lower within what the spring specs are on this car it's not necessary to correct camber. Yes, you will "not be in spec" but that will NOT equate to increased tire wear. Rotate your tires, it has to be done anyhow.
Unless you have some specific need for custom alignments for a specific purpose (auto-x for instance) save your money.
rjp