cowl shaking question
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
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CLK 550
cowl shaking question
Hello,
I have 2007 clk550 cabrio. whole body shakes while driving without roof when i hit pothole. I guess its called cowl shaking right?
I was planning to buy Eibachs, bilsteins B12 pro kit, because stock front left is leaking. My question is will B12 kit make cowl shaking worse?
Sorry if i made mistakes writing, this is not my native language
Thank you!
I have 2007 clk550 cabrio. whole body shakes while driving without roof when i hit pothole. I guess its called cowl shaking right?
I was planning to buy Eibachs, bilsteins B12 pro kit, because stock front left is leaking. My question is will B12 kit make cowl shaking worse?
Sorry if i made mistakes writing, this is not my native language
Thank you!
Last edited by Bandy; Apr 26, 2020 at 04:20 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 784
Likes: 29
From: NYC
2004 CLK 500
Hello . I have the b12 kit and I have a cabriolet . 1 word of advise for anyone lowering there with this kit
1 . The W209 does not have any way to adjust the camber in the rear . You will need a camber kit otherwise you will be going through rear tires . They have them on eBay .You can either get the kit that makes your stock ones adjustable or buy a new toe arm . I bought the toe arm but you can get the regular kit.
2. The rear sat too low for me so I purchased thicker rear spring pads .they cost around $20 and come in different thicknesses . I got the thickest one they have and it looked the best .
Now when you say its shaking . Is it like a small shake or are you loosing control ? Does it do it when you hit a pot hole on the right,left or both ? Is the car stable during normal driving when top is down ? Did you have anything done to the car recently ?
1 . The W209 does not have any way to adjust the camber in the rear . You will need a camber kit otherwise you will be going through rear tires . They have them on eBay .You can either get the kit that makes your stock ones adjustable or buy a new toe arm . I bought the toe arm but you can get the regular kit.
2. The rear sat too low for me so I purchased thicker rear spring pads .they cost around $20 and come in different thicknesses . I got the thickest one they have and it looked the best .
Now when you say its shaking . Is it like a small shake or are you loosing control ? Does it do it when you hit a pot hole on the right,left or both ? Is the car stable during normal driving when top is down ? Did you have anything done to the car recently ?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
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CLK 550
Car shakes no matter what side i hit pothole with. Whole body shakes, but i did not find it incontrolable. My shocks and springs is scary by the way. They are comfortable at slow speed but when i drive faster bouncing is scary as its too soft. I have r18 235/40 in front with et29 it is ok, but rears 265/35 et 26 is touching wheel arch/fenders on biggers speed bumps cause of that bouncines. I am thinking of putting smaller spacers in back or roll fenders, because lowering should make it even worse.
Driving on good road and with top is fine.
i have not changed anything in car except wheels from r18 et30 225 front and back to sizes writen before.
Previous owner had accident to left front side, doors was replaced.
Do you have any more suggestions? How is quality of ride with that setup?
Thank you
Driving on good road and with top is fine.
i have not changed anything in car except wheels from r18 et30 225 front and back to sizes writen before.
Previous owner had accident to left front side, doors was replaced.
Do you have any more suggestions? How is quality of ride with that setup?
Thank you
Last edited by Bandy; Apr 28, 2020 at 12:01 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 784
Likes: 29
From: NYC
2004 CLK 500
Before you start throwing parts at it . Do these steps .I am certain its your shocks but check all this when your going to lower it . This way you can do all this at once and you need to do a few alignments . Check the video link blew it shows how to check your struts .
As far as your wheels touching . If I am not mistaken the front offset on 18 is 32 and rear is 32 or 35 .Again this all depends on the type and style of wheel you have . Rolling the fenders is usually the best idea but I would put the new parts on first and then measure what is needed . Like I mentioned get the largest spring pad for the rear this will help you with the touching issue . Post picture of your car I want to see what the wheels look like.
Also one thing I forgot to mention to you about the b12 kit . The first few weeks the shocks will be stiff and the springs will sit a bit higher . Don't worry just give it some time and it will settle .
1.Check your suspension bushings from and rear ball joints, tie rods etc. See if you have anything bent suspension arm or components or rubber that's perished .
2. Check that your wheel weights didn't come off .
As far as your wheels touching . If I am not mistaken the front offset on 18 is 32 and rear is 32 or 35 .Again this all depends on the type and style of wheel you have . Rolling the fenders is usually the best idea but I would put the new parts on first and then measure what is needed . Like I mentioned get the largest spring pad for the rear this will help you with the touching issue . Post picture of your car I want to see what the wheels look like.
Also one thing I forgot to mention to you about the b12 kit . The first few weeks the shocks will be stiff and the springs will sit a bit higher . Don't worry just give it some time and it will settle .
1.Check your suspension bushings from and rear ball joints, tie rods etc. See if you have anything bent suspension arm or components or rubber that's perished .
2. Check that your wheel weights didn't come off .
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 6
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CLK 550
yes i am running spacers, but that is not an issue, because previously i ran it without spacers.
How do you like B12 kit, isnt it too stiff?
i will get H&R anti sway bar installed this weekend. I hope it will improve ride quality.
How do you like B12 kit, isnt it too stiff?
i will get H&R anti sway bar installed this weekend. I hope it will improve ride quality.
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