CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Springs & camber issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 05-10-2019, 11:29 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
Springs & camber issue

Hello Everyone . I have Eibach springs on my clk500 had them a little 2 years . On the right rear wheel the camber is really bad . Is this a spring issue or can be something else? I took it to my mechanic and he said that there is no issue with the entire suspension in term of ball joint or wear of joints .

This is the left side which looks ok.

Right side #1
Right side #2
Old 05-10-2019, 01:46 PM
  #2  
Member
 
Bmo Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: N. Maryland
Posts: 188
Received 34 Likes on 29 Posts
2020 GLC 43 AMG SUV; 2020 Audi Q8 55 Prestige; 2005 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
My car's getting there also. I've read on this forum that there is a "rear camber kit" that resolves this issue. Now in the past, particularly with my old Audi's, the root cause was worn lower control arm bushings, which may be contributing to this excess camber, which is more obvious when lowered?
Old 05-10-2019, 01:55 PM
  #3  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
Thanks for the reply , The mechanic checked play in all the bushings and all are tight . He was pretty convinced it was the spring . Are you also running Eibach ?
Old 05-10-2019, 04:48 PM
  #4  
Member
 
Bmo Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: N. Maryland
Posts: 188
Received 34 Likes on 29 Posts
2020 GLC 43 AMG SUV; 2020 Audi Q8 55 Prestige; 2005 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
Originally Posted by irokdastar
Thanks for the reply , The mechanic checked play in all the bushings and all are tight . He was pretty convinced it was the spring . Are you also running Eibach ?
No problem. The AMG suspension uses Eibach springs (Bilstein shocks), though a specific version I believe different than the aftermarket (as you can see, less drop than yours - I think). Hopefully Eibach sent you the correct spring spec, though I would think the only way the spring would contribute to the camber, is just a matter of them being too lowered, thus exaggerating the inherent negative camber in these cars. I have had issues with Eibach aftermarket sending springs that had unbalanced excessive rear "squat" compared to the front springs (05.5 A4 Avant). I assume you replaced your shocks, to appropriate sport shocks for lowering springs?

If your springs and shocks are proper spec, ultimately the best remedy would seem to be the camber adjuster I mentioned. It should be a quick install for your shop.
Old 05-10-2019, 09:56 PM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Fatz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta Metro
Posts: 1,222
Received 59 Likes on 57 Posts
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
Did the indy check the wheel bearings as well? You might check that the wheel runs true and does not wobble when rolling. If one spring deteriorates so much more than the other of a pair installed at nthe same time, I would think a warranty replacement would be in order.
Old 05-13-2019, 01:14 PM
  #6  
Member
 
Bmo Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: N. Maryland
Posts: 188
Received 34 Likes on 29 Posts
2020 GLC 43 AMG SUV; 2020 Audi Q8 55 Prestige; 2005 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
Originally Posted by Fatz
Did the indy check the wheel bearings as well? You might check that the wheel runs true and does not wobble when rolling. If one spring deteriorates so much more than the other of a pair installed at nthe same time, I would think a warranty replacement would be in order.
Interesting. I've actually had an Eibach Sport spring break on me once, after about a year on the car, so I'm a little skeptical about their quality. Their customer service was apologetic and very good about replacing the set though.
Old 05-13-2019, 03:42 PM
  #7  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
I got these with the Bilstein B12 kit which included these springs . I spoke to the Eibach and they said I should buy a rear set and send them back the old ones . Once they get it they will test it and see if the spring sagged . If it did they will refund me for the new ones . But if not they wont . But like I said I took it to a shop and they tested the entire suspension . Can anyone recommend a better company ? is H&R Better ?
Old 05-14-2019, 12:55 AM
  #8  
Member
 
Bmo Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: N. Maryland
Posts: 188
Received 34 Likes on 29 Posts
2020 GLC 43 AMG SUV; 2020 Audi Q8 55 Prestige; 2005 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
On another car, I had a set of H&R sport springs matched with Bilsteins (HD’s I think - they were short). The car sat lower than with Eibach’s, but the ride was not terrible and the handling was very tight. Good quality springs.
Old 05-14-2019, 10:36 AM
  #9  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
I also noticed that the rear sits much lower than the front . Is that eibach thing ? Also can you guys recommend a good camber kit ?
Old 05-14-2019, 11:55 AM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Fatz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta Metro
Posts: 1,222
Received 59 Likes on 57 Posts
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I use KMAC bushings for then rear camber adjustment capability. They also make kits for then front.
Old 05-16-2019, 09:22 AM
  #11  
Member
 
Bmo Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: N. Maryland
Posts: 188
Received 34 Likes on 29 Posts
2020 GLC 43 AMG SUV; 2020 Audi Q8 55 Prestige; 2005 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
Originally Posted by irokdastar
I also noticed that the rear sits much lower than the front . Is that eibach thing ? Also can you guys recommend a good camber kit ?
The rear "squat" has been an Eibach thing in my experience, with two of my Audi's and to an extent, with this OEM set on my CLK55 (the uneven front vs. back fender gap really triggers my OCD ). The H&R's had even fender gap but they do seem to sit lower, so ya have to compensate for that when considering the wheel/tire set.
Old 05-17-2019, 11:38 AM
  #12  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
Any advice where I can get a good camber kit for this car ?
Old 05-17-2019, 01:33 PM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Fatz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta Metro
Posts: 1,222
Received 59 Likes on 57 Posts
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
Originally Posted by irokdastar
Any advice where I can get a good camber kit for this car ?
K-MAC - They are also on the sponsor list I believe.
Old 05-21-2019, 11:24 AM
  #14  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
I checked and they want $400 for a kit . I was at a tire store and they suggested that I put spacers to fix the camber issue . Is that true?
Old 05-21-2019, 12:13 PM
  #15  
Member
 
Bmo Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: N. Maryland
Posts: 188
Received 34 Likes on 29 Posts
2020 GLC 43 AMG SUV; 2020 Audi Q8 55 Prestige; 2005 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet
I see there's a less costly kit by SPC - perhaps lesser quality and functionality? ...but better than "spacers"?

SPC Kit on ebay
Old 05-21-2019, 03:01 PM
  #16  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
I found these what do you think ? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Be...wAAOSwax5Yt2C7
Old 05-21-2019, 05:10 PM
  #17  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Fatz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta Metro
Posts: 1,222
Received 59 Likes on 57 Posts
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I don't understand how spacers will correct the problem to too much negative camber. The ebay link referenced adding the caster bushings ($140) in addition to the arms. Would both be needed?

I don't have any experience with other ways to address the rear camber adjust issue. I searched around a few years ago before going with K-Mac. They have performed well - no issues - doubled the rear tire life to about 22K-24K miles.
Old 05-22-2019, 11:52 AM
  #18  
Super Member
 
waveterrorist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: chicago
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
I have adjustable rear camber rods on my D2 racing setup. To get a good ride height in the back I had to use some bigger spring pads.
Old 05-24-2019, 04:49 PM
  #19  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
irokdastar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 783
Received 29 Likes on 29 Posts
2004 CLK 500
What size did you get the pads? and where did you get them ?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Springs & camber issue



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:03 PM.