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I took the rear left tire off today due to a puncture wound and discovered some severe inner tire wear down to the belt.
I was a bit surprised because I'm used to working on older rear wheel drive cars where there isn't a whole lot of adjustment, and I don't tend to see this on rears.
After perusing these forums and others, it sounds like this is a common issue with some of these ranges and maybe Mercedes sets camber this way out of the factory or these cars tend to toe out in the rear for whatever reason.
I was wondering if there are any common parts to replace to help or if someone can tell me how to adjust toe at the rear. I've worked on Volvo 240s for like a decade and I can do my own alignments with a string and a tape measure and it turns out fine; I can drive on tires forever and no problem. How does that turn out with these - is it even possible?? Lol
Have you inspected the control arm bushings? The bushings may be worn. The bushings on mine are looking pretty deteriorated and will need to be replaced at some point.
Below is the thrust arm bushing in the wheel carrier.
Wheel carrier with spring arm bushing and thrust arm bushing.
I took the rear left tire off today due to a puncture wound and discovered some severe inner tire wear down to the belt.
I was a bit surprised because I'm used to working on older rear wheel drive cars where there isn't a whole lot of adjustment, and I don't tend to see this on rears.
After perusing these forums and others, it sounds like this is a common issue with some of these ranges and maybe Mercedes sets camber this way out of the factory or these cars tend to toe out in the rear for whatever reason.
I was wondering if there are any common parts to replace to help or if someone can tell me how to adjust toe at the rear. I've worked on Volvo 240s for like a decade and I can do my own alignments with a string and a tape measure and it turns out fine; I can drive on tires forever and no problem. How does that turn out with these - is it even possible?? Lol
Thanks!!
Yes VOLVO 240 - no major problem with rear suspension when it comes to costly, premature, excess edge tire wear it having a solid axle !
Unlike Mercedes Benz models having (like front) independent rear.
BECAUSE OF EVER INCREASING SPEED OF NEW CAR ASSEMBLY LINES Front Camber and Caster along with Rear Camber has been deleted (new car industry’s best kept secret).
The often quoted “Full Front & Rear ‘4’ Wheel alignment” - IS NOW ONLY BASIC TOE - DIRECTIONAL ADJUSTMENT. No means to adjust tire contact angles spread load more evenly.Excess edge load can also lead to ruptured side walls, rim damage.
Onus is now back on owners to fund premature tire replacement !
We therefore saw the need for BOLT-ON Front and Rear kits - no special tools required or time consuming control arm removal to install.
Plus single wrench adjustable. Easily accessible and precise - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD.
Front kit (all W204 models) Camber & Caster #502616M replaces also the 4 front highest wearing bushings. And significant improvement to brake and steering response.
Rear kit Camber & Extra Toe #502126K.
Also Rear uprated Bushes for the 6 Multi Link Arms #502628K Tauter rear end response - less twist, flex, wheel tramp, loss of traction. Especially when applying power to lane change / overtake.
DHL Express air worldwide - $40 one kit. $20 each extra.
SEE SPOILER - RE TOTAL SYSTEM
Spoiler
AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and costs) Since 1964 !
I took the rear left tire off today due to a puncture wound and discovered some severe inner tire wear down to the belt.
Severe wear on only one tire would make me suspect a worn or damaged suspension component. If it’s both rear tires, then maybe sagging springs or lots of hard acceleration. If all parts are within spec, the suspension kits can help a lot with the latter. If you’re on an alignment rack, you can “cheat” suspension to give you what camber and toe you want with shims, if you dare.
Have you inspected the control arm bushings? The bushings may be worn. The bushings on mine are looking pretty deteriorated and will need to be replaced at some point.
Great, thanks!! Do we need a press for these or can we tap em in/out with a few hefty hammer swings?
Last edited by knavejack; Jan 21, 2025 at 04:45 PM.
It’s semi common to get uneven tire wear on some of these models with staggered wheel sizes since you cannot rotate the tires to help.
Yea I basically thought the same with every recommendation to 'rotate the tires,' knowing they can't be criss-crossed, or even moved front to back and vice versa.
Severe wear on only one tire would make me suspect a worn or damaged suspension component. If it’s both rear tires, then maybe sagging springs or lots of hard acceleration. If all parts are within spec, the suspension kits can help a lot with the latter. If you’re on an alignment rack, you can “cheat” suspension to give you what camber and toe you want with shims, if you dare.
I was going to do a more severe 'bounce test' to see if rear shocks could be acting up? (or not)
Just waiting for 'adapters' before I get it on jack stands for a better visual check. Can't do anything without an 'adapter' on modern cars these days...
Had inner tire cupping on both my rears, before I replaced all 4 tires, and my rear brakes are almost gone. I actually replaced my rear brakes a couple years after the fronts and the front still look almost new. Waiting until it gets a bit warmer before doing the rear brakes and checking the suspension.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
