W208 CLK55 left front suspension issue - camber, shaking
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
W208 CLK55 left front suspension issue - camber, shaking
Hello,
Wondering if any experienced folks can give me some clues on what might be up with my 2002 W208 CLK55. I have 125k on it. In the last year I have replaced both lower control arms and lower ball joints up front. The steering damper, front wheel bearings. I just did the passenger side for all this a few months ago and the car is ridding so much smoother. When I got the alignment done they said the left front is off.
camber left front -0.4 deg
caster left front 4.3 deg
camber right front -1.2 deg
caster left front 5.3 deg
It slightly pulls to the left when driving. Also, when moving fast on the highway and braking hard, the left front shakes. Only when I brake. When I make slow right turns the left side feels a little squirly - almost like the tire is not totally flat on the road. Tire wear is NOT abnormal at all. Finally, when moving very slow and braking, sometimes I hear this little clank....like metal on metal sound. Its sounds like a spring buckle sound I used to get before I changed my front springs which were broken around the bottom.
When I had the recent front end work done on passenger side, my indy did not find anything wrong.
Just curious what it might be? Upper Control arms?
thanks!
Wondering if any experienced folks can give me some clues on what might be up with my 2002 W208 CLK55. I have 125k on it. In the last year I have replaced both lower control arms and lower ball joints up front. The steering damper, front wheel bearings. I just did the passenger side for all this a few months ago and the car is ridding so much smoother. When I got the alignment done they said the left front is off.
camber left front -0.4 deg
caster left front 4.3 deg
camber right front -1.2 deg
caster left front 5.3 deg
It slightly pulls to the left when driving. Also, when moving fast on the highway and braking hard, the left front shakes. Only when I brake. When I make slow right turns the left side feels a little squirly - almost like the tire is not totally flat on the road. Tire wear is NOT abnormal at all. Finally, when moving very slow and braking, sometimes I hear this little clank....like metal on metal sound. Its sounds like a spring buckle sound I used to get before I changed my front springs which were broken around the bottom.
When I had the recent front end work done on passenger side, my indy did not find anything wrong.
Just curious what it might be? Upper Control arms?
thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 321
Likes: 17
2000 ML55 AMG 2001 CLK55 AMG coupe 2002 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet 2025 BMW M2 6MT
Bump on this thread, similar experience with mine. Starting to think it's the cheapo control arms I got. Will be putting power flex bushings I've had into the originals. Hopefully that would make a change. But right there with you, only thing not changed up there is upper control arms, but look to be in great condition. I have a febi drag link on there that I will be switching out for a genuine one I have as it feels like legos next to the genuine.
The little clunk from the left front usually when going downhill, very slow speeds.
The little clunk from the left front usually when going downhill, very slow speeds.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 169
From: Portland, Oregon
2019 Jeep Trackhawk, 2002 CLK55, 2014 911 Carrera
It may be that rear bushing in the LCA. Their factory design is very flimsy and people seem to complain about them a lot. I went ahead and installed Powerflex bushings in both sides of the LCA's and I love them.
Read all about it here: https://stumptownbenz.com/clk-polyurethane-bushings/
Read all about it here: https://stumptownbenz.com/clk-polyurethane-bushings/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 421
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Did you forget the spring pad on that side when you changed the springs out??
If you didnt, make sure you have same size spring pads on both sides. Thatll effect the height which will effect the camber?
Also I dont think its a good idea to do suspension one side at the time because itll wear out unevenly
If you didnt, make sure you have same size spring pads on both sides. Thatll effect the height which will effect the camber?
Also I dont think its a good idea to do suspension one side at the time because itll wear out unevenly
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 286
Likes: 12
From: Chicago, IL.
2006 E55 AMG, 2019 BMW M240I xdrive coupe, 1969 Mach 1 Mustang
Thanks for all the replies.
@PKmak - I am not sure about the spring pad as my indy replaced the springs. I will investigate though.
@JoeJErnst - this good to know, the LCA bushings. I will have these looked at lext time I get the car in or on a lift.
@quik55 - you mentioned a drag link. I don't think this has been done on my car. Is that the same as the center link. Some other suspension components I've recently learned about are:
sway bar links
tie rod end
drag link / center link
stabilizer bushing / link
Maybe one of these could be the culprit?
thanks
@PKmak - I am not sure about the spring pad as my indy replaced the springs. I will investigate though.
@JoeJErnst - this good to know, the LCA bushings. I will have these looked at lext time I get the car in or on a lift.
@quik55 - you mentioned a drag link. I don't think this has been done on my car. Is that the same as the center link. Some other suspension components I've recently learned about are:
sway bar links
tie rod end
drag link / center link
stabilizer bushing / link
Maybe one of these could be the culprit?
thanks
