Davepl's $0.85 CL Lowering System
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 12
Davepl's $0.85 CL Lowering System
Well, since no one seemed to be answering my questions about lowering a CL or improving its ride quality, I decided to take it upon myself.
Here's the "Beta Version" results. Took about 20 minutes per side, and total cost was 85 cents. I want to refine it a little further, and perhaps lower it a little less than I have... it's a full 2-inch drop in this configuration.
The ride is superb. I'm convinced this is much closer to the German specs for which the damping and spring rates were tuned.
No computer or electronic hackery involved. I've only done the front so far, but wanted to share the interim results.
Sorry about the car being a little dirty, its those rainy days that I find time to tinker!
- Dave
Here's the "Beta Version" results. Took about 20 minutes per side, and total cost was 85 cents. I want to refine it a little further, and perhaps lower it a little less than I have... it's a full 2-inch drop in this configuration.
The ride is superb. I'm convinced this is much closer to the German specs for which the damping and spring rates were tuned.
No computer or electronic hackery involved. I've only done the front so far, but wanted to share the interim results.
Sorry about the car being a little dirty, its those rainy days that I find time to tinker!
- Dave
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 12
It's a two-inch drop, which I think might be bit too much (setting it to the 2-led highest ride height setting barely gets it back to stock!).
I'll post a how-to when I've finalized things (I'm still refining the way I'm doing it)... and when people start answering all my other damned posts. Share, people!
I'll post a how-to when I've finalized things (I'm still refining the way I'm doing it)... and when people start answering all my other damned posts. Share, people!
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 12
The method...
WARNING: I do not endorse nor suggest that you perform these modifcations to any car. This was done for investigational purposes only to learn more about the ABC system.
Do not operate a car with a ride height or any suspension modifications without first consulting local regulations and your Mercedes Benz dealer for guidance and approval.
-----
What I would up doing was removing the top "ball" joint to which the ride height sensors attach on the front A-arms. Easy to get at... you don't even need to remove the wheel once you know where they are.
I sawed off and then drilled out the mounting stud and replaced it with a machine screw of approximately the same girth but with an extra inch. I then tack welded it together, but you could use a nut.
I added an extra nut and washer in the middle of the stud so that when reinstalled the whole thing was pushed down an exta 5/8 of an inch or so. This fools the wheel sensor into thinking the wheel is much lower than it actually is.
If you don't want much drop or don't want to modify the mounting bracket, I'd try just shimming it down with 4-5 washers (leaving enough thread exposed up top for the nut to bite). That simple version would get you a full inch, I bet.
In the back I sawed up a Home Depot corner bracket to give me a little piece of metal that I could bolt to the factory mounting point, and then drilled a hole in my new piece to relocate that mounting point about 3/4 of an inch down. When I redo it I will use less of a change to get less drop.
I'll even take pictures next time!
Do not operate a car with a ride height or any suspension modifications without first consulting local regulations and your Mercedes Benz dealer for guidance and approval.
-----
What I would up doing was removing the top "ball" joint to which the ride height sensors attach on the front A-arms. Easy to get at... you don't even need to remove the wheel once you know where they are.
I sawed off and then drilled out the mounting stud and replaced it with a machine screw of approximately the same girth but with an extra inch. I then tack welded it together, but you could use a nut.
I added an extra nut and washer in the middle of the stud so that when reinstalled the whole thing was pushed down an exta 5/8 of an inch or so. This fools the wheel sensor into thinking the wheel is much lower than it actually is.
If you don't want much drop or don't want to modify the mounting bracket, I'd try just shimming it down with 4-5 washers (leaving enough thread exposed up top for the nut to bite). That simple version would get you a full inch, I bet.
In the back I sawed up a Home Depot corner bracket to give me a little piece of metal that I could bolt to the factory mounting point, and then drilled a hole in my new piece to relocate that mounting point about 3/4 of an inch down. When I redo it I will use less of a change to get less drop.
I'll even take pictures next time!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
yea i cleaned a set yesterday for a friend... more pics to come 
And yes those are michelin pilot sports A/S, didn't know they made 19 inch super wide/low pro all season tires!
And yes those are michelin pilot sports A/S, didn't know they made 19 inch super wide/low pro all season tires!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 12
Wow, Jl88, that's almost -exactly- what I wound up doing! I played with a few other solutions (shimming it, pre-rotating the sensor) and arrived at that.
Where did those photos come from? Did you make those or is someone selling them?
Thanks,
Dave
Where did those photos come from? Did you make those or is someone selling them?
Thanks,
Dave
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
Awiner: yep, TWS had some custom brackets made which are longer than OEM.
davepl: The part on the left is the OEM part. The middle is modified OEM part. The right is The Wheel Supply's lowering kit. They have a part that's even longer which allows them to drop airmatic cars very low. I've been familiar with all different methods of lowering airmatic cars for more than a year now. Most shops that lower airmatic cars approach it the same was as you did. Dealerships also bend the bracket instead of replacing it.
TWS Lowering Kit installed:
davepl: The part on the left is the OEM part. The middle is modified OEM part. The right is The Wheel Supply's lowering kit. They have a part that's even longer which allows them to drop airmatic cars very low. I've been familiar with all different methods of lowering airmatic cars for more than a year now. Most shops that lower airmatic cars approach it the same was as you did. Dealerships also bend the bracket instead of replacing it.
TWS Lowering Kit installed:
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 12
Cool. Three questions:
(a) Which bracket are you talking about bending? In the rear? You have to move it down, so I'd think bending wouldn't be very accurate...
(b) Dealerships? Are there really MB dealerships that will bend brackets to lower customer's cars????
(c) Any wheel alignment or other issues I can learn from you rather than from experience? :-)
- Dave
(a) Which bracket are you talking about bending? In the rear? You have to move it down, so I'd think bending wouldn't be very accurate...
(b) Dealerships? Are there really MB dealerships that will bend brackets to lower customer's cars????
(c) Any wheel alignment or other issues I can learn from you rather than from experience? :-)
- Dave
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
The dealerships actually bend the bracket. Alot of guessing to get it right, but that is what the service people do at Rusnak Mercedes. Of course, i'm assuming that this is a side deal and not a sanctioned MBUSA service.
The rear part can be bent to lower the back 2 wheels.
Well, i'm a bad judgement of alignment. I never noticed anything *that* bad, meaning, my cars haven't had any severe problems with drifting or shaking. However, an alignment couldn't hurt.
The rear part can be bent to lower the back 2 wheels.
Well, i'm a bad judgement of alignment. I never noticed anything *that* bad, meaning, my cars haven't had any severe problems with drifting or shaking. However, an alignment couldn't hurt.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
'05 E55
Wow, great work davepl! The front looks easy from what I can see on my car, but can you be more specific as to where the rear bracket is that needs to be changed/modified? Do I need to remove the rear wheel to get to it? Can't seem to locate it on the rear with the wheels on. Any help with with rear would be very much appreciated.
Can't wait to get rid of the 4x4 look...
Can't wait to get rid of the 4x4 look...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 12
Yes, wheels will need to come off the back, then the bracket will be obvious.
Remember for the back you are trying to relocate the lower mount ball -downwards- (away from the sensor).
Someone suggested just bending the bracket, which I hadn't thought of.
Remember for the back you are trying to relocate the lower mount ball -downwards- (away from the sensor).
Someone suggested just bending the bracket, which I hadn't thought of.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
'05 E55
Originally posted by davepl
Yes, wheels will need to come off the back, then the bracket will be obvious.
Remember for the back you are trying to relocate the lower mount ball -downwards- (away from the sensor).
Someone suggested just bending the bracket, which I hadn't thought of.
Yes, wheels will need to come off the back, then the bracket will be obvious.
Remember for the back you are trying to relocate the lower mount ball -downwards- (away from the sensor).
Someone suggested just bending the bracket, which I hadn't thought of.
The rear set-up on my E500 airmatic must be different than your cl55, either that or I'm too dumb to find the rear bracket/sensors. I took the wheels off the rear, but no luck. Does the rear of the cl have a shock in addition to the air, like the e500, or does it just have the airmatic without the shock? That may be the difference. My E has airmatic in front without the shock, and the bracket/sensor is easy to locate, but not the rear. Anymore suggestions as to where to go from here?
