tw2

I installed my KW V1 coilovers and lowered the front about 10mm and the back approx 5-8mm so very mild drop. In my country we need a certification carried out for height adjustable suspension. I managed to fail at the first step which is simply having the camber within spec but only for the rear right.

Before coilovers (rear camber only)

2014
Left -1.45 Right -1.50

2015
Left -1.30 Right -1.40

After coilovers (today)
Left -1.32 Right -2.11

So I lowered the car which to my knowledge should increase negative camber slightly and the left stayed the same (not unexpected since it is so mild a drop) but the right increased an enormous amount.

What is the correct spec for our cars? Each report is different, -0.77 to -1.77, -1.0 to -2.0, -0.57 +/- 0.5.

What should I check? There is no accident etc that could explain a bend in the pretty thick lower control arms. I guess the bushes in that arm could well be toast.

I will get another report first thing tomorrow to confirm. There are certainly ways around the legal aspects, ie if I go back to one of the earlier shops and get the report with -1.0 to -2.0 it can legally be up to 0.5 more negative camber than "stock". Of course I would like to inspect and confirm it is safe and nothing needs replacing too. Thanks for any advice.

gixxerboy

i couldnt find the specs, i just lowered mine and my camber before the alignment was over -2. i have adjustable camber arms and bought it down to -.5

tw2

The upper arm was adjustable? or the lower? What brand was it?

I might just have to get some new lower and upper arms. I can't justify spending what kmac want for the adjustable bushings. I must have ruined the rubber trying to reinsert the bolts. It would have to be fairly dry/cracked/perished by this age and I may have helped it disintegrate a little on the one side.

I see the bushes are available separately but I don't have a press so might have to pay the mercedes tax for the whole arms.

gixxerboy

Its the camber arm. Not the upper or lower. You replace the thr whole arm with an adjustable not just an e centric bushing like theirs.

tw2

Do you have any recommendations? I found http://mbartsperformance.com/MBA-209-ARCA.html Is it worth replacing any of the other links? I admit it has been a while since I have had the rear wheels off and I need to reacquaint myself with the stock anatomy.

gixxerboy

i would check the bushing on the others, if they are good leave them.

Those links look good. i've seen them but personally never used them.

This pic is the ones i have on my car and sell, they are $249. Do you have xenon headlights?

tw2

Yes, whys that? Just had them cleaned and coated last week. I might look at the MB Arts links, terrible exchange rate at the moment for international purchasing

gixxerboy

the reason is because there is a little arm that attached to the camber arms for the headlight leveling. So if you have them you need to make a little bracket to attach it. I used and old sway bar clamp i had laying around. Just wanted to make you aware of that.

Those arms look good. They look very similar to mine. I've seen some that look cheaply made for $150, but i would avoid them

tw2

I have a little lever that attaches to the front swaybar. I presumed that was for the headlights. I wasn't aware of anything in the rear suspension for this? My front camber is less than 1 degree so I wasn't going to change anything here.

gixxerboy

there is one on the rear passenger side also

tw2

Took the wheel off and had a good look and some photos. I couldn't detect any obvious movement in the hub due to worn bushes. Sorry for some noob questions. It is the red arrow? And the camber arm is the blue arrow? It looks like it would adjust toe more than camber?



I tried to find an annotated diagram on the internet and gave up trawling through WIS. Would you mind please telling me what the various links are called.

gixxerboy

here is a link to the names and part numbers for stock items

http://www.driveoemautoparts.com/aut...uspension-scat

tw2

I am a bit confused, you said it is not the upper arm? This is the one everyone seems to be replacing to adjust the camber only. Not near the headlight adjustment lever which appears to be a toe arm?

gixxerboy

I'm sorry you are correct. I actually have adjustable arms at both locations. I had which did which backwards in my head. You are correct the headlight lever is for the tow arm and the top are is the camber.

tw2

Thanks for clarifying. The MB arts guys does not appear to have a good reputation on here so I might look elsewhere. How do you like yours? Are they solid or tube?

gixxerboy

mine are solid. I guess i like them, they camber is adjusted correctly and ive had no issues.

Rudeney

For the record, here are the EPC diagrams and parts list:

http://benzbits.com/w203/RearSuspensionDiagram.pdf
http://benzbits.com/w203/RearSuspensionPartsList.pdf

tw2

Thanks Rodney.

I decided to go with the same top speed ones. They look like they have heim joints but hopefully the rubber boot will keep crap out and stop them degrading and then squeaking. I found some pictures on here of what the mb arts ones look like after one year, dreadful and top speed have excellent communication. They confirmed solid steel construction so perfect for daily driving through potholes.

gixxerboy

I'm sure you will happy with them. And they are all good guys over a Top Speed. I deal with them allot they are right down the street from me.