Quirky Frontend Alignment
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Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Charleston SC
1984 300D
Quirky Frontend Alignment
Wheel not centered within wheel well.
New K-mac Camber kit
I rebuilt entire frontend on this 1983 W123, couldn't get the camber to adjust to zero so I installed a K-mac camber kit. Everything reinstalled and ready for the DIY alignment, I have bubble levels, digital levels, floor plates, tool to insure that levels are perpendicular to the wheel. after the adjustment to the caster I noticed that the wheel sits within the wheel off center, actually it is very close to the front of the wheel well arch, to close. Can hardly get a finger in between the wheel and the fender. This inspire setting the caster yo the 8.0-9.0 degree requirements. I checked and rechecked yet this off center exist on drivers side and passenger of the car. The distance between the rear section of the wheel and the tire you can drive a truck in there (see picture).
When adjusting the camber using the K-mac camber kit, the adjustment no matter how hard I try to adjust it to zero degrees, it won't go anywhere near this zero. This is the reason I replaced factory eccentric bolts in the first place, they wouldn't zero out to factory settings. I was told that these K-mac bolts would be an easy task and cover the entire range of adjustments required to hit these required settings.
Any suggestions would help, I know that these W123 frontends are quirky at best, from what I have observed, it's a very simple setup under there but the adjustments are being a bit of a challenge. I just want to get it close so I can get it to a proper alignment shop.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
Background - Only pre 2000 Mercedes Benz models have Front Camber (and Caster) adjustment.
Ever increasing speed of new car assembly lines front (and rear) adjustment has been deleted.
The K-MAC “replacement” Front Camber adjustment kit for the W123 provides more than twice the adjustment range. Up to 2.5 degrees Positive or Negative Camber change.
Some latter models - where you can fit (front only) “factory eccentric bolts” - they only provide 0.3 of one degree Positive or Negative Camber change - and not accurate allowing only this one offset setting !
As the attached K-MAC “Front” instruction sheet (Wheel Align Panel) sets out for the W123 it is ultimate adjustment…..
Precise single wrench - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD - Rotating bolt head accurately allows this up to 2.5 Positive or Negative Camber change.
NOTE: Rear kit (Camber and extra Toe) #501826J $380 - also precise single wrench adjustment. Bush extraction tool included allowing fitment without need for control arm removal.
Besides there also being no OEM rear adjustment to compensate for excess edge wear encountered in day to day commuting - high cambered roads or altered height / load carrying etc.
Another need for ongoing adjustment facility is the rear (expensive) subframe as prone to curb knock damage !
AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and costs) Since 1964 !
Ever increasing speed of new car assembly lines front (and rear) adjustment has been deleted.
The K-MAC “replacement” Front Camber adjustment kit for the W123 provides more than twice the adjustment range. Up to 2.5 degrees Positive or Negative Camber change.
Some latter models - where you can fit (front only) “factory eccentric bolts” - they only provide 0.3 of one degree Positive or Negative Camber change - and not accurate allowing only this one offset setting !
As the attached K-MAC “Front” instruction sheet (Wheel Align Panel) sets out for the W123 it is ultimate adjustment…..
Precise single wrench - direct on alignment rack UNDER LOAD - Rotating bolt head accurately allows this up to 2.5 Positive or Negative Camber change.
NOTE: Rear kit (Camber and extra Toe) #501826J $380 - also precise single wrench adjustment. Bush extraction tool included allowing fitment without need for control arm removal.
Besides there also being no OEM rear adjustment to compensate for excess edge wear encountered in day to day commuting - high cambered roads or altered height / load carrying etc.
Another need for ongoing adjustment facility is the rear (expensive) subframe as prone to curb knock damage !
Spoiler
AUDI to VOLVO - Experience Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings (and costs) Since 1964 !
