09 clk550 suspension upgrade
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 179
Likes: 4
2009 CLK550 Coupe
09 clk550 suspension upgrade
Hi I would like to improve the handling of my clk550. it has 87k miles. I have replaced the front shocks and the control arms but still feels a tad bit loose. The car doesn't handle very well and has some body roll. I have been told to upgrade the sway bar to a thicker one and to swap the control arm bushings to the AMG version to prevent flexing. All I want is to improve the handling to give the car a sharper feel and more secure feeling. Does anybody have the part numbers for the upgraded sway bar and bushings? Much appreciated!
thanks
thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 6
From: Canada
04 CLK500
Is your car lowered? If not look into that. Out all of the things I did on mine to improve the handling changing the springs made the biggest difference by far.
You'd have to put up with the harsher ride but the effect seems to be more dramatic on this chassis.
I went with the widest staggered setup I can get away with without rubbing and the thickest pad (#4) in the rear to avoid the 'sag' look. Also found out the hard way that handling wise this generation of CLK is sweetest at 18". At 19" and above the car feels worse no matter the type of rubber, camber kit, etc..
You'd have to put up with the harsher ride but the effect seems to be more dramatic on this chassis.
I went with the widest staggered setup I can get away with without rubbing and the thickest pad (#4) in the rear to avoid the 'sag' look. Also found out the hard way that handling wise this generation of CLK is sweetest at 18". At 19" and above the car feels worse no matter the type of rubber, camber kit, etc..
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 179
Likes: 4
2009 CLK550 Coupe
Is your car lowered? If not look into that. Out all of the things I did on mine to improve the handling changing the springs made the biggest difference by far.
You'd have to put up with the harsher ride but the effect seems to be more dramatic on this chassis.
I went with the widest staggered setup I can get away with without rubbing and the thickest pad (#4) in the rear to avoid the 'sag' look. Also found out the hard way that handling wise this generation of CLK is sweetest at 18". At 19" and above the car feels worse no matter the type of rubber, camber kit, etc..
You'd have to put up with the harsher ride but the effect seems to be more dramatic on this chassis.
I went with the widest staggered setup I can get away with without rubbing and the thickest pad (#4) in the rear to avoid the 'sag' look. Also found out the hard way that handling wise this generation of CLK is sweetest at 18". At 19" and above the car feels worse no matter the type of rubber, camber kit, etc..
Last edited by Ghennes13; Jan 14, 2021 at 10:52 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Near Toronto, ON Canada
2005 CLK500 Cabriolet
I don't think the CLK was designed to be a sports car or handle like one. I treat my 500 like a GT and it rewards me greatly.
Best friend has a 911. It rides and handles and turns nothing like my car at all. But if you want to go for a lovely relaxed ride on a secondary road, or spend 5 hours behind the wheel we both agree my CLK is way better.
Best friend has a 911. It rides and handles and turns nothing like my car at all. But if you want to go for a lovely relaxed ride on a secondary road, or spend 5 hours behind the wheel we both agree my CLK is way better.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
You can try the CLK63 BS sway bars or the HR like previously mentioned (I believe the HR are thicker than the BS ones, there was a thread somewhere about these). The bushings on the sway bar can't be replaced separate on the later model CLKs so might be a good idea to replace the sway bar anyway at since I'm sure those bushings need replacing at this point (Also recommend to replace the sway bar links while you're at it). I had all my front suspension replaced around the same mileage as yours and it should last you another 80k-90k miles.
Idk if the AMG control arms are any different than the standard ones. Strut and shock/spring upgrades would make a difference, but I since you just replaced those that would be a personal call. The 08-09 550s are already lower than the 350 models that don't have the AMG sport package (Not sure by how much, maybe 1/2 - 1 inch).
Idk if the AMG control arms are any different than the standard ones. Strut and shock/spring upgrades would make a difference, but I since you just replaced those that would be a personal call. The 08-09 550s are already lower than the 350 models that don't have the AMG sport package (Not sure by how much, maybe 1/2 - 1 inch).
Last edited by gaazmon; Jan 15, 2021 at 04:05 PM.
