CLK suspension/tires/wheels nightmare
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From: Bay Area, CA
CLK suspension/tires/wheels nightmare
Ok, it all started when I put my 19" fabulous profound on my CLK that was dropped with an H&R cup kit and #1 pads all the way around. It sat all lopsided, even though it had the same pads all the way around. I was told it would take some time for the springs to settle, and eventually clearance would be the same on all wheelwells.....it never really did, even after 1000 miles.
Then, I had a tire blowout on me, and I went offroading for a bit.....wrecking all four of my wheels and three tires. I bought 4 new tires and 4 used i-forged from a member on this forum. I had them mounted and they sat in my garage for a month. I finally put them on the other day, and I ran over some damned wrench on the road, and destroyed my new $345 tire. I got another one and had it mounted today, so that problem is solved....
BUT.....I am still back to my lopsided problem and my messed up camber. When I went offroading that one time, I know it messed up my alignment. The rear driver side wheel has major camber to it, and the passenger side does not. So now I have the original lopsided clearance issue, AND some serious camber troubles. This is really pissing me off. The driver front is so damn low, and I think I have the highest number pad in it right now. Something is really off.
Then, I had a tire blowout on me, and I went offroading for a bit.....wrecking all four of my wheels and three tires. I bought 4 new tires and 4 used i-forged from a member on this forum. I had them mounted and they sat in my garage for a month. I finally put them on the other day, and I ran over some damned wrench on the road, and destroyed my new $345 tire. I got another one and had it mounted today, so that problem is solved....
BUT.....I am still back to my lopsided problem and my messed up camber. When I went offroading that one time, I know it messed up my alignment. The rear driver side wheel has major camber to it, and the passenger side does not. So now I have the original lopsided clearance issue, AND some serious camber troubles. This is really pissing me off. The driver front is so damn low, and I think I have the highest number pad in it right now. Something is really off.
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Sounds like you may have...
the wrong spring set or pehaps some shocks that are absolutely worn out. Remember, the H&R springs have different numbers for 6 cyl and 8 cyl, and coupe and cab.
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The cup kit is a matched set of shocks and springs, and I got them brand new.
I went offroading on accident when my tire blew out on me. It sent me swerving off into the bumpy dirt shoulder at about 70mph.
I went offroading on accident when my tire blew out on me. It sent me swerving off into the bumpy dirt shoulder at about 70mph.
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Unless there's a new number,
H&R does not offer a kit with matched shocks for the W208. Springs only. Check the part numbers on your spring kit against the H&R web page. It's on the side of your box, and on the spring itself. Maybe this is the nature of your problem?
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From: Gulf Coast
2006 E55 & 2009 Audi S5
I'm with Chappy, I'd go back to the stock stuff. I'm sure you did, but if not, I'd call the manufacturer and see about returning it. They may have screwed up and sent you some wrong parts or something. At an rate it's not working on your car so it's trash.
Sorry to hear about you problems and frustration bit it seems it should be at the new parts and not the car.
Did you do the install yourself or have it done?
I'dlove to lower mine a little but worried about having the same problem.
I may let Chappy be the lab rat and see how his turns out and then do mine if it's successful! LOL
Good luck bro!
Sorry to hear about you problems and frustration bit it seems it should be at the new parts and not the car.
Did you do the install yourself or have it done?
I'dlove to lower mine a little but worried about having the same problem.
I may let Chappy be the lab rat and see how his turns out and then do mine if it's successful! LOL
Good luck bro!
Last edited by jddumas; Jun 19, 2004 at 09:51 AM.
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Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area, CA
My friend and I did the drop, he is a professional mechanic. We fooled around with a lot of different spring pads, even took the aftermarket stuff out and put it all back in just to make sure the springs were set correctly and the same way all the way around the car.
I am going to go back to stock as you guys suggested. I've got a box full of every single pad #, can anyone tell me what the most common stock set up is on a CLK 430? I know some of them came with different pad #'s, I'm just wondering what I should start with to go completely stock again.
I am going to go back to stock as you guys suggested. I've got a box full of every single pad #, can anyone tell me what the most common stock set up is on a CLK 430? I know some of them came with different pad #'s, I'm just wondering what I should start with to go completely stock again.
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From: Bay Area, CA
Re: Unless there's a new number,
Originally posted by allenjdmb
H&R does not offer a kit with matched shocks for the W208. Springs only. Check the part numbers on your spring kit against the H&R web page. It's on the side of your box, and on the spring itself. Maybe this is the nature of your problem?
H&R does not offer a kit with matched shocks for the W208. Springs only. Check the part numbers on your spring kit against the H&R web page. It's on the side of your box, and on the spring itself. Maybe this is the nature of your problem?
Cup Kit
In their endless quest to ensure the ultimate driving performance, H&R introduces their new cup-kit suspensions. Every kit is a specifically matched shock and spring set, distinctively designed to provide aggressive performance and sleek-styling in one, ready-to-go package
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The cup kit IS a matched set of springs and shocks. Taken from H&R's website:
H&R Cup Kits are an ideal solution for those that want aggressive looks and impressive handling at an affordable price. H&R's Cup Kits are specially engineered from the ground up with custom-designed springs and shocks that are developed together to work in perfect harmony.
Unlike competitors spring and shock kits, H&R Cup Kits are not merely a 'matched' spring and shock package, but rather a specially engineered 'solution' with springs and shocks being engineered individually in every application. This takes the guess work out of your spring and shock selection, and provides you with an application specific, precisely calibrated spring and shock set designed to deliver improved handling, uncompromised ride comfort and sleek styling in one precision engineered package.
H&R Cup Kits are an ideal solution for those that want aggressive looks and impressive handling at an affordable price. H&R's Cup Kits are specially engineered from the ground up with custom-designed springs and shocks that are developed together to work in perfect harmony.
Unlike competitors spring and shock kits, H&R Cup Kits are not merely a 'matched' spring and shock package, but rather a specially engineered 'solution' with springs and shocks being engineered individually in every application. This takes the guess work out of your spring and shock selection, and provides you with an application specific, precisely calibrated spring and shock set designed to deliver improved handling, uncompromised ride comfort and sleek styling in one precision engineered package.
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AMG
Originally posted by jddumas
I may let Chappy be the lab rat and see how his turns out and then do mine if it's successful! LOL
Good luck bro!
I may let Chappy be the lab rat and see how his turns out and then do mine if it's successful! LOL
Good luck bro!
I guess it's time to reserve my room over at the Yerkes Research Center
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From: Northern VA
SL 500
Re: Unless there's a new number,
Originally posted by allenjdmb
H&R does not offer a kit with matched shocks for the W208. Springs only. Check the part numbers on your spring kit against the H&R web page. It's on the side of your box, and on the spring itself. Maybe this is the nature of your problem?
H&R does not offer a kit with matched shocks for the W208. Springs only. Check the part numbers on your spring kit against the H&R web page. It's on the side of your box, and on the spring itself. Maybe this is the nature of your problem?
"&R Cup Kits are an ideal solution for those that want aggressive looks and impressive handling at an affordable price. H&R's Cup Kits are specially engineered from the ground up with custom-designed springs and shocks that are developed together to work in perfect harmony. "
--
I have had this cup kit with no issues for one year now.
Amer
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Then I stand corrected...
this wasn't available when I bought my 208 stuff. Who makes the shocks?
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From: Northern VA
SL 500
Re: Then I stand corrected...
Originally posted by allenjdmb
this wasn't available when I bought my 208 stuff. Who makes the shocks?
this wasn't available when I bought my 208 stuff. Who makes the shocks?
I believe HR also makes the shocks. Attached is their promotional shot of the cup kit.
Amer
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Re: Re: Then I stand corrected...
Originally posted by djamer
Allen
I believe HR also makes the shocks. Attached is their promotional shot of the cup kit.
Amer
Allen
I believe HR also makes the shocks. Attached is their promotional shot of the cup kit.
Amer
Rob
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haters crazy
amer, the cup kit is NOT made for the 430 or 55! just for the 320 (which you have). The difference being the engine weight so the car sits differently. I also have the H&R cup kit on my 430 but its not made for the 430.
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From: Atlanta, GA
SLK32
That sux. Sorry to hear about all your problems. But...
1) Running 19's you have a shorter sidewall and are more suseptible to damage.
2) I am not surprised you have problems with the H&R. Most people on the board will disagree with me. But I have heard and seen lots of problems with H&R. Between stock & H&R, I personally would stick with stock.
3) I hope you had you suspension checked out after your adventure. It is not all that difficult to damage components. I also hope you had an alignment done as soon as your car was driveable.
Good luck with everything.
1) Running 19's you have a shorter sidewall and are more suseptible to damage.
2) I am not surprised you have problems with the H&R. Most people on the board will disagree with me. But I have heard and seen lots of problems with H&R. Between stock & H&R, I personally would stick with stock.
3) I hope you had you suspension checked out after your adventure. It is not all that difficult to damage components. I also hope you had an alignment done as soon as your car was driveable.
Good luck with everything.
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From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
If it's any consolation, I appear to be un-even on the lowering. I am running #2 spring pads all the way around, with Brabus springs on stock shocks.
Honestly, the lowering is nice, but a little on the conservative (high) side. I am pretty comfortable with the ride quality on the stock 17s.
I look to keep the same springs and maybe go with Bilsteins if I get 19 inch rims.
Perhaps you should switch to Brabus?
Honestly, the lowering is nice, but a little on the conservative (high) side. I am pretty comfortable with the ride quality on the stock 17s.
I look to keep the same springs and maybe go with Bilsteins if I get 19 inch rims.
Perhaps you should switch to Brabus?
